Investment Visas (including EB-5)

Our firm also specializes in handling investment based immigration, including E-2 visas and the EB-5 immigrant investor program. Lee & Kent's immigration practice has successfully obtained USCIS approval of both the Kansas Biofuel Regional Center and the Southwest Biofuel Regional Center under the EB-5 Pilot Program and plays a significant role in the operation and management of these regional centers.

The U.S. Government encourages foreign investors to live and work in the United States. To become a permanent resident as a foreign investor you must meet the following requirements:

• Invest at least $500,000 in a government-approved regional center; or
• Invest at least $1,000,000 ($1 million) anywhere in the U.S.

For more in information about The EB-5 projects promoted by Lee&Kent, visit americaniif.com

About Regional Center

What is a regional center?

A regional center

• is an entity, organization or agency that has been approved by the U.S. Government;
• focuses on a specific geographic area in the U.S.; and
• seeks to promote economic growth through increased export sales, improved regional productivity, creation of new jobs, and increased domestic capital investment.

In simpler terms, a regional center is a company usually located in an economically underdeveloped region in the U.S. that has been found by the Government to be in need of financial investment for the promotion of growth and jobs.

What are the advantages of investing in a regional center?

Some advantages include the following:

• No need to actively manage the company or investment.
• Your investment is assumed to have created at least 10 additional jobs. (A requirement for $1 million investments.)
• You invest less money. You only need to invest half the usual $1 million investment needed for permanent residency.
• The process is usually simpler and faster because the regional center is already Government-approved for EB-5 investors. This means that the documentation for your green card application will be ready faster and you will become a permanent resident sooner.

Lee&Kent offers legal service in applying for Regional center designation Lee&Kent's professional immigration attorney have firsthand experience in applying for a regional center. For details, Please call 1-213-380-0472 or email your inquiry to eb5@leekent.com

About $1,000,000 ($1 million) Investments:

You can also become a permanent resident by investing $1 million in any industry or location in the US. This option offers the most flexibility for your investment.

How do I invest $1 million?

There are three ways to invest:

• 1. By starting a new business; or
• 2. By purchasing an existing business and restructuring it, or
• 3. By purchasing a troubled business and expanding it by 140% or retaining all existing jobs.

What are the basic requirements?

• Your investment must directly or indirectly create 10 jobs; and
• You must actively manage your investment and business.

What are the advantages of investing $1 million?

• Complete control over your investment and business.
• You choose the type of business.
• You choose your employees.
• You choose the location of your business.

For more in information about The EB-5 projects promoted by Lee&Kent, visit americaniif.com

Frequently asked questions about EB-5:

How do I begin?

Call us and speak with one of our immigration lawyers. Our immigration lawyers are experts in this field and can answer both your business and legal questions. Our immigration lawyers can provide all information and services necessary to maximize your investment and ensure smooth processing for your EB-5 application.

Do I have to be physically in the U.S. to invest?

No. You can invest from your home country and enter the US as a permanent resident after your application is approved. If you are already in the U.S., you can invest and receive your green card without having to return to your home country.

When will I become a permanent resident?

Upon approval of your EB-5 application, you will receive a conditional green card that is valid for two years. You must file another application to remove the conditional status on your green card 90 days before it expires. To remove conditional status, you must prove that your investment and business still meet EB-5 requirements. After conditional status has been removed, you will receive a new green card that is valid for 10 years.

How long does it take to receive my conditional green card?

It depends on you and your business. As soon as our immigration lawyers have all the documentation necessary for your green card application, it is expedited to be filed as soon as possible. Processing time at USCIS (the government) can be anywhere from 3 to 6 months.

Can I apply for citizenship?

Yes. You and your immediate family members may apply for U.S. citizenship after removing conditional status on your green card 90 days before it expires.

Please contact us to schedule an appointment so we can address your needs and concerns in specific detail. You may reach us at (213) 542-4232 (English/Spanish), (213) 380-2828 (Korean), or (213) 542-4237 (Chinese). You may also email us at info@leekent.com.