Interested in an INVESTMENT TOOL that would give you a United States GREEN CARD?
While less widely-known, and certainly more complex than the straightforward house and condo purchase (through an LLC set up by a real estate attorney… or a purchase made directly in the buyer’s name) THE INVESTMENT VISA is an option for some… offering the investor a GREEN card! 
In working with international investors purchasing investment property and vacation homes in Florida (and more specifically in and around Miami) I thought it might be helpful to share some information on the subject:
A program devised to attract foreign capital into the United States… and commonly referred to as the ” INVESTMENT VISA” or the “EB-5“… is an investment tool devised to create jobs and offer employment opportunities for American workers. The INVESTMENT VISA program has been in place for well over a decade, and has specific requirements. It offers certain benefits to the investor… one of which is a GREEN CARD.
An immigration attorney would be able to provide you with specific requirements (which are precise and quite stringent) along with lists outlining the ‘regional center projects’ in which an investment would qualify the foreign buyer for the GREEN CARD. The “INVESTMENT VISA” (more officially known as an “EB-5”) requires an investment of anywhere between $500,000.00 to $1,000,000.00 into a United States ‘regional center project’. Depending upon the area within the United States, these projects range from ski resorts to urban infrastructure development…. etc. Funds for the investment must be lawfully obtained and must be fully documented.
Because of the specific legal nature of the investment, the expertise of an immigration attorney and/or real estate attorney would be needed. In the May issue of Realtor Magazine’s www.Realtor.org/realtormag H.Ronald Klasko (Klasko,Rulon,Stock & Seltzer LLP) goes into more detail, offering a link to information on the investment visa through www.eb5immigration.com.
If you’d like to buy real estate in South Florida, whether through the investment visa program, or as a vacation home or investment property, Alexandra and Vicki Restivo will be happy to provide you with additional contact information for immigration and real estate attorneys in the Miami area.
