U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

CONTACT INFORMATION

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
1-800-375-5283
Email
USCIS.ImmigrantInvestorProgram@dhs.gov
ADDRESS
111 Massachusetts Avenue NW First Floor (MS 2180), Washington, District Of Columbia, 20529-2180
State
District Of Columbia

USCIS administers the Immigrant Investor Program, also known as “EB-5,” created by Congress in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. Under a pilot immigration program first enacted in 1992 and regularly reauthorized since, certain EB-5 visas also are set aside for investors in Regional Centers designated by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth.

All EB-5 investors must invest in a new commercial enterprise, which is a commercial enterprise:

Established after Nov. 29, 1990, or Established on or before Nov. 29, 1990, that is:
1. Purchased and the existing business is restructured or reorganized in such a way that a new commercial enterprise results, or
2. Expanded through the investment so that a 40-percent increase in the net worth or number of employees occurs

 

Commercial enterprise means any for-profit activity formed for the ongoing conduct of lawful business including, but not limited to:

A sole proprietorship Partnership (whether limited or general) Holding company Joint venture Corporation Business trust or other entity, which may be publicly or privately owned

 

This definition includes a commercial enterprise consisting of a holding company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, provided that each such subsidiary is engaged in a for-profit activity formed for the ongoing conduct of a lawful business.

Note: This definition does not include noncommercial activity such as owning and operating a personal residence.