House Proposal May Expand EB-5 Visa Eligibility

Could the cost to EB-5 investors be reduced downapproved Regional Center project. The proposal by
to as little as $100,000 USD? Well if a USPolis would extend eligibility to foreign entrepreneurs
Congressman from Colorado has his way it very wellwhose business plan attracts either $250,000 from a
could.U.S.-based venture capital company or $100,000 from
Congressman Jared Polis, a Democrat from Colorado,another investor, according to the American Visa
has penned a proposal in the U.S. House ofBureau.
Representatives that aims to encourage foreign-born"Every day the American economy is losing ground -
entrepreneurs interested in starting a technologynot to mention high-tech jobs and technologies - to
company to bring their investments and know-howIndia and China because foreign-born entrepreneurs
to the U.S.cannot secure a visa to stay in the U.S.," said Polis.
An addendum to the EB-5 visa system, whichThe congressman estimates that foreign investment
provides green cards to qualifying immigrants whounder his proposal would create more than 500,000
invest in approved American business, the proposalnew jobs in the first 10 years. And after all, the EB-5
seeks to create new jobs and bring in foreign capitalvisa was designed to help create jobs for American
by expanding the eligibility of visa applicants.citizens.
Currently, a minimum investment of $500,000 isThe bill is expected to be referred to committee in
needed for immigrants to qualify of an EB-5 investorthe next several weeks, where it will be subject to
visa if they invest their money into an USCISdebate and amendment.