In 2016, changes to the U.S. Immigrant Investor Program left investors feeling a sense of uncertainty. The changes to the U.S. Immigrant Investor Program in April 2017 ultimately point to issues such as increased investment thresholds and greater application complexity! Should investors submit their applications while the $500,000 threshold for U.S. immigration is still in effect? Is there any reason to hesitate? What changes will there be to the requirements for the U.S. Immigrant Investor Program in 2017?
As of now, the requirements for the 2017 U.S. Immigrant Investor Program remain consistent with those of 2016, as detailed below:
· Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have no criminal record.
1. Investment Requirements:
The minimum investment threshold for a government-designated Targeted Employment Area (TEA) is $500,000, while the threshold for non-Targeted Employment Areas is $1,000,000.
2. Job Creation Requirements:
Under reasonably recognized methods, it must be demonstrated that the investment will directly or indirectly create at least 10 full-time jobs through the job-creating enterprise. (For troubled businesses, existing jobs may also be preserved.)
3. Lawful Source of Funds Requirements:
Lawful sources may include, but are not limited to: mortgage of real estate, salary income, gifts or inheritance from friends and family, real estate sales, trading of securities and stocks, retained earnings from an enterprise, and lawful corporate dividends.
4. Age Requirements for Accompanying Children:
Must not exceed 21 years of age. (This refers to the statutory age under CSPA at the time of receiving the immigrant visa or adjustment of status, not the actual chronological age.)
The above is a brief overview of the requirements for the U.S. Immigrant Investor Program. However, given the trend of tightening investment immigration policies globally, a price increase for the U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is all but a certainty. The April policy change is already a fixed reality, and the window to immigrate to the U.S. with a $500,000 investment is counting down!