EB-5 Visa Program in Vermont

Everyone is focused on economic development and Vermont is no exception.  International folks looking to contribute to economic growth in Vermont have an interesting option in the EB-5 visa program (or E-5). As immigration lawyers, we help international professionals, educators and entrepreneurs contribute to the United States economy.  Generally the goal of an immigration plan for a client is to allow them to start work here as soon as possible in temporary immigration status (like H-1B for professionals or L-1 for multinational corporate transfers) and then become a permanent resident with a green card over the course of a few years.  This path requires a job offer from a U.S. employer.  The EB-5 visa program under federal law allows internationals to invest $500,000 in a business initiative in Vermont that will lead to economic development, and in return become a permanent resident of the United States with a green card.   Permanent residents can live in the United States indefinitely and are authorized to work for any U.S. employer, part-time or full-time, if they choose to work.  The EB-5 program generally requires a minimum investment of $1 million but certain areas can be designated as economic development zones where the minimum EB-5 investment is only $500,000.  The State of Vermont is designated for EB-5 investments of $500,000.   So for example, at Jay Peak Resort there is an EB-5 program that has been approved by the U.S. immigration service for EB-5 investments, and the investment involves purchasing a new condominium at Jay Peak resort for at least $500,000.  The EB-5 investor can become a permanent resident of the United States and enjoy their new condominium at a lovely Vermont resort.  Other such programs are in development in Vermont but the Jay Peak program is the established precedent here.  For EB-5 approval, the development project had to demonstrate that it would create permanent jobs in Vermont.  It's a win-win for everyone involved, and for the Vermont economy.  There are EB-5 projects around the nation, but Vermont is appealing for so many reasons!  Immigration lawyers are involved in EB-5 cases in several ways, representing the project developer in crafting the development portion of the EB-5 documentation to establish that the project will create permanent jobs, or representing the investor who is considering an EB-5 investment and applying for permanent residency based on the EB-5 investment.  It's a great example of how immigration supports the U.S. economy.