For Mexican investors and their dependents, the EB-5 Visa offers a route to immigration to the United States. A minimum investment, a source of funding, and the creation of ten full-time jobs for US citizens are prerequisites for the EB5 Visa for Mexican investors. The EB-5 Visa application procedure for investors from Mexico takes anywhere from 30 to 61 months to process. Seven hundred new EB5 visas are given to Mexican investors annually.
Due to the advantages for Mexican investors and their families, the EB5 is a well-liked option for US immigration. For Mexican investors, the EB-5 offers advantages like obtaining a green card and allowing their children to study in US universities and avail all the benefits similar to any US citizen.
Program Overview
A green card, or permanent residency, in the United States can be obtained by qualified Mexican investors through the EB-5 Visa for Mexican Immigrants. For the duration of their stay and employment in the United States, Mexican investors holding an EB-5 Visa are granted a green card, often known as permanent residency. At least ten U.S. citizens must be employed full-time as a result of the minimum investment required for the EB5 Visa for Mexican investors. Together with China, India, and Taiwan, Mexico is one of the top nations from whom EB5 visa applications are submitted. There is a cap of 10,000 new EB5 visas that can be granted annually. Each year, 700 EB-5 Visas are made available to investors from Mexico.
Things to know before Investing in the EB5 Visa
- Timeline: The average processing time for the Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor (Form I-526) for an EB5 Visa for Mexican investors is between 29.5 to 61 months. The Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor (Form I-526) is the first step in applying for an EB5 Visa for Mexican investors.
- Funds Required: EB5 investment
$800,000 (Mex$15,841,632 Mexican Pesos) for a Targeted Employment Area
$1, 050,00 (Mex$20,792,142 Mexican Pesos) for a non-Targeted Employment Area
- Form I-526- $3,675 (Mex$72,792.75 Mexican Pesos)
- Form I-829- $3,750 (Mex$274,278.31 Mexican Pesos)
- Age Requirements : Age is not a restriction. This basically means that any investor from Mexico is eligible to be an EB-5 investor. However, the parents or other guardians providing the investment amount must present the required documentation to substantiate the source of funds, as the minor is unlikely to have the assets or income to qualify as an EB-5 investor on his or her own. An investor from Mexico seeking an EB-5 visa may occasionally not be able to get certain papers.
Benefits of EB5 Visa
Mexican investors apply for the EB-5 Visa for Mexican primarily for these benefits.
- US citizenship and a green card: A green card allows the Mexican investor and any dependents (spouse and children under 21) to live legally and permanently in the United States. The Mexican investor and any dependents who hold US citizenship are eligible to vote and obtain US passports. Due to the country’s shifting political landscape, Mexican businesspeople are looking to enter the US legally and bring their families with them.
- Monetary gains. Mexican investors are seeking to grow their current firms into the US and are also looking for potential investments. The US being a developed nation provides the much needed business development goals and a chance to earn more profits.
- U.S. education. With an EB5 Visa, children of Mexican investors can receive savings on state tuition fees and higher education in the US. After getting an education in the US, Mexican investors’ children can have greater employment options thanks to an EB-5 Visa.
- Students can study at some of the top universities in the world.
- They can also pay tuition that is 150–300% less than that of international students.
- Enjoy greater financial support and scholarship opportunities than overseas students.
Risks associated with the EB5 Visa
EB-5 Visa Mexican investors should be prepared for these risks that come with an EB5 Visa application.
- Financial risks: According to USCIS, the Mexican investor’s investment in the EB-5 visa should be considered a “risk.” The gains and losses of the Mexican EB5 investor are not disclosed. The main advantage of EB5 visa Mexican investors is that they have the opportunity to obtain green cards.
- Risk of fraud: The SEC filed fraud charges against a man and woman in Texas for embezzling money from foreign investors in October 2013. The couple was initially targeting Mexican investors in their EB5 investment plans. The Mexican EB5 investor should thoroughly research potential EB5 investment projects to avoid falling prey to fraud.
- Importance of EB-5: The investment does not provide a green card to the Mexican citizen. The Mexican investor should fulfill all the requirements for an EB5 Visa in order to be eligible for green cards.
