UK Innovator Visa
Home > UK Innovator Visa
UK Innovator Visa
As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, the Innovator Visa was a UK immigration route designed for experienced entrepreneurs who wished to establish a business in the United Kingdom. It aimed to replace the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa and was intended for individuals with innovative business ideas that had the potential for growth and success in the UK market.
USA EB-5 Visa
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa is a U.S. visa program designed to encourage foreign investment and job creation in the United States. It provides an opportunity for eligible foreign investors and their immediate family members to obtain U.S. lawful permanent residency (Green Card) by making a qualifying investment in a U.S. commercial enterprise.
Key points about the EB-5 Visa:
- Investment Requirement:To qualify for an EB-5 visa, the applicant must invest a specified amount of capital in a new commercial enterprise in the United States. There are two investment options.
- $1 million investment: Generally, investors need to invest at least $1 million in a new commercial enterprise. However, if the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which is an area with high unemployment or rural areas, the minimum investment is $500,000.
- TEA Investment: Investments in a TEA, as certified by the state authority, qualify for the reduced investment amount of $500,000.
- Job Creation: The investment must lead to the creation or preservation of at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers within two years of the investor's admission to the U.S. as a Conditional Permanent Resident.
- Application Process: The EB-5 process involves filing Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Upon approval, if the investor is outside the U.S., they apply for an immigrant visa through consular processing. If they are in the U.S., they file Form I-485 to adjust their status to a Conditional Permanent Resident.
- Conditional Permanent Residency: Initially, successful EB-5 applicants receive conditional permanent residency for a two-year period. To remove the conditions and obtain permanent residency, the investor must file Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions, within 90 days before the second anniversary of obtaining conditional permanent residency, proving the investment and job creation requirements have been met.
- Family Members: The EB-5 investor's spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 can also obtain Green Cards as derivatives based on the investor's approved petition.
- Path to Citizenship: After holding a Green Card for a certain period and meeting other eligibility criteria, EB-5 investors and their family members may become eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.
The EB-5 program aims to stimulate the U.S. economy by attracting foreign investment and creating jobs. It offers a path to permanent residency in the United States for investors and their families, but it involves significant financial commitments and strict requirements.
As immigration laws and policies may change, individuals considering the EB-5 program should seek guidance from qualified immigration attorneys or advisors and refer to the official USCIS website for the most current and detailed information regarding eligibility, investment requirements, and the application process.
