Cheaper EB-5 Alternatives 2020
NB: 10 February 2020: Our Regional Center partners still have a limited number of $500,000 opportunities available – contact us now to secure yours before they’re all gone.
You’ve missed the cut-off for $500,000 EB-5 applications – now what?
For thousands of foreign investors interested in obtaining EB-5 residency in the USA, the 21 November 2019 deadline and the investment requirement increase to $900,000 came too soon.
So while you could have afforded to make a passive hotel investment of $500,000, you certainly can’t afford to throw the better part of $1 million at a second residency.
So is it time to give up on the American dream?
Not quite.
Whether you’d like to think of them as EB-5 program hacks or as legal alternatives to the EB-5 visa, there are at least 2 very interesting paths to gain longer term access to the USA – and they’re cheaper, simpler faster, and risk-reduced.
E2 Visas: The cheaper, faster alternative to the EB-5 Visa Program
Citizens of countries that have entered an E2 trade and navigation agreement with the United States are eligible to apply for the so-called E2 non-immigrant visa on the basis of a business investment in the USA.
While no minimum investment is prescribed on the E2 program, an investment of $200,000 is considered fairly typical – although you may be able to find a qualifying franchise opportunity for as little as $120,000.
As of November 2019, the following countries are eligible apply for E2 Visas: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Taiwan, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Honduras, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kosovo, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Don’t see your country in the above list?
Don’t despair.
The good news is that you can become E2 eligible by obtaining citizenship by investment in a number of countries enjoying an E2 treaty agreement with the USA – and in many cases, the combined cost of obtaining second citizenship and making a qualifying E2 business investment can still come in at less than $500,000, which is what the EB-5 used to cost.
Obtaining a second passport by investment (or donation) in any of these countries will make you eligible to apply for a long-stay non-immigrant visa, while also enabling your spouse and dependent children to reside in the USA.
The initial E2 visa is issued for a period of 5 years, and can be renewed in 2-year increments, providing that the visa conditions are continually met.
Which E2 treaty countries have passport by investment programmes?
Grenadian, Moldovan, Montenegrin and Turkish citizenship all qualify you for applying for a US E2 Visa. Compare the various CIP programmes in terms of investment requirement, processing time and passport power below:
| INVESTMENT REQUIREMENT | TYPICAL PROCESSING TIME | PASSPORT POWER | E2 Visa Eligibility | MINIMUM STAY REQUIREMENTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRENADA | From $220,000 in property for 5 years | 4 – 6 months to approval | 143 countries, including 6-month visa-free access to UK | YES | None. |
| MOLDOVA | Donation € 100,000 per individual, €145,000 per family of 4. | 3 months to citizenship and passport | 101 countries visa free, or visa upon arrival | YES | None. |
| MONTENEGRO | €250,000 in real estate for 5 years, €100,000 donation | 3 months to citizenship and passport | 122 countries visa free, or visa upon arrival | YES | Yes, 5 days per 5 calendar years. |
| TURKEY | $250,000 in property for 3 years | Fast-track applications approved in 2 months | 86 countries visa free, or visa upon arrival | YES | None. |
DISCLAIMER: The above information is intended as general guidance only. While every reasonable step has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the above information, this cannot be guaranteed. Always consult an area specialist before making any decisions pertaining to your citizenship by investment application. The above information, nor any other information published on this site, constitutes an offer to sell securities of any kind. Prospective investors should familiarise themselves with the potential risks and implications associated with foreign citizenship, and past market performance cannot not be treated as reliably indicative of future performance. Neither the publishers of this site, nor their associates and affiliates, will be liable for any losses, whatsoever, suffered as a result of reliance on the above information. All rights reserved.
E2 investments from from $200,000. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Simply complete the below form and one of our in-country experts on property and residency applications will contact you for a free consultation.
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