The U.S. Congress created the EB-5 program in 1990 to enable high-net-worth foreign investors to obtain a U.S. visa by investing in a U.S. business in a manner that will benefit the economy by creating jobs. To qualify under the EB-5 program, the foreign investor must invest $1 million in a qualified new commercial business. That amount is reduced to $500,000 if the new commercial business is located in an area with high unemployment. Each investor must also create 10 or more permanent U.S. jobs through his or her investment.

The benefits of the EB-5 program are easy to see. U.S. businesses receive much needed capital at competitive rates and the foreign investor receives an ownership interest in a U.S. business that will make a loan or investment that affords them an opportunity to qualify for an expedited green card. The EB-5 program has already attracted billions of dollars ($15 billion since 2008) into emerging and expanding American businesses, and continues to provi