EB-5 vs Other Investor Visas Global Comparison Guide

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Processing Time

Standard processing takes 15–30 days from submission.

Visa Validity

Multiple entry visa valid for up to 10 years.

Success Rate

95% approval rate with our expert guidance.

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program (USA)

Overview

Investment Amount: $1.05 million (or $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)).
Job Creation Requirement: Must create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
Type of Investment: Must invest in a new commercial enterprise or a troubled business.
Residency: Grants conditional permanent residency for two years, followed by the possibility to apply for permanent residency.
Processing Time: Typically ranges from 29.5 to 61 months for Form I-526, and 34 to 62 months for Form I-829.

Benefits

Direct path to permanent residency and eventual citizenship.
Allows the investor, spouse, and unmarried children under 21 to gain permanent residency.
No requirement for specific business skills or language proficiency.

Challenges

Stringent source of funds documentation requirements.
Long processing times and potential backlogs.
Risk associated with meeting the job creation requirement.

UK Investor Visa

Overview

Investment Amount: Minimum £2 million in UK government bonds, share capital, or loan capital in active and trading UK-registered companies.
Job Creation Requirement: None specified directly for the investor.
Type of Investment: Primarily in active and trading companies.
Residency: Grants initial leave to remain for three years and four months, with extensions possible, leading to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and eventually citizenship.
Processing Time: Typically within 8 weeks for the initial application.

Benefits

Pathway to permanent residency and citizenship.
No specific requirement for business involvement.
Flexibility in investment options.

Challenges

High investment threshold.
Stringent requirements for maintaining the investment.
Changes in immigration rules can affect visa terms and conditions.

Portugal Golden Visa

Overview

Investment Amount: Minimum €500,000 in real estate or €1 million in capital investment, or creation of 10 jobs.
Job Creation Requirement: Creating 10 jobs can be one of the investment options.
Type of Investment: Real estate, capital transfer, or business creation.
Residency: Grants residency for an initial period of one year, followed by two-year extensions. Eligible for permanent residency and citizenship after five years.
Processing Time: Typically within 3 to 6 months.

Benefits

Access to Schengen Area.
Pathway to permanent residency and citizenship.
Flexible investment options.
Low physical presence requirement (seven days per year).

Challenges

Investment in real estate market can be volatile.
Bureaucratic process can be complex.
Changes in investment thresholds and eligible regions.

Canada Start-Up Visa

Overview

Investment Amount: No minimum investment required, but must have support from a designated organization (venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator).
Job Creation Requirement: Must create jobs for Canadians and be innovative.
Type of Investment: Must establish an innovative business with the potential to compete globally.
Residency: Grants permanent residency upon approval.
Processing Time: Typically 12 to 16 months.

Benefits

Direct path to permanent residency.
No minimum investment threshold.
Support from designated organizations provides business mentorship.
Access to Canadian markets and NAFTA benefits.

Challenges

Must secure a commitment from a designated organization.
High competition for obtaining support.
Business must be innovative and viable in the long term.

Comparison Summary

Criteria	EB-5 (USA)	UK Investor Visa	Portugal Golden Visa	Canada Start-Up Visa
Investment Amount	$1.05M / $800K (TEA)	£2M	€500K / €1M	No minimum (support needed)
Job Creation Requirement	10 full-time jobs	None specified	10 jobs (optional)	Must create jobs
Type of Visa	Immigrant	Immigrant	Immigrant	Immigrant
Path to Residency	Direct	Direct	Direct	Direct
Processing Time	29.5–61 months	~8 weeks	3–6 months	12–16 months
Business Involvement	Passive	Passive	Flexible	Active
Eligibility	Open to all	Open to all	Open to all	Open to all

Each investment visa program has its unique set of requirements, benefits, and challenges, making it important for potential investors to consider their personal circumstances, investment goals, and long-term residency plans when choosing the most suitable option.

Each investment visa program has its unique set of requirements, benefits, and challenges, making it important for potential investors to consider their personal circumstances, investment goals, and long-term residency plans when choosing the most suitable option.

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