US investor visas not just for the very wealthy

If you thought a US investor visa was just for the mega-wealthy, you’d be wrong – at least for now.

Admittedly, a good number of would-be expats might consider now is not the best time to emigrate to the USA and commit their savings to a US business, but the E-2 Investor Visa itself isn’t restricted just to those with hard cash. Options for entrepreneurs depend on applicants’ circumstances and whether the move is planned to be permanent or temporary as well as the actual investment itself. Requirements can vary between either $500,000 or £1 million and can also be met by investing equipment, inventory, secured indebtedness or intellectual property. The visa itself gives entrepreneurs, their spouses and unmarried children under the age o f 21 a permanent residence Green Card.

To qualify, applicants need to invest in a US commercial enterprise and plan to either preserve or create 10 full-time, permanent jobs for qualified American staff. If planned for a Targeted Employment Area, the monetary investment is $500,000, with the higher amount required in other areas. Unfortunately, at the present time there’s a backlog of applications, meaning potential expat investors may have to be patient for around two years.

For expatriate entrepreneurs to whom patience is an unknown quality, there are several other options dependent on your expertise and experience. The EB1A Extraordinary Ability visa has no backlog and qualifies for fast processing, with applicants who’ve satisfied three out of 10 listed criteria being advised one way or the other within 15 days. The EB2 National Interest Waiver visa is granted to applicants with exceptional abilities likely to benefit the nation, such as macroeconomic value or large-scale job creation. The EB-1C visa is for executives and managers who’ve been employed outside the US for several years in an executive or managerial capacity with either the same company or a subsidiary, and the visa is conditional on your continuing service with the same employer within the USA..