How can an EB-5 investor use money earned in the U.S. for EB-5 funds?

A foreign national could be living in the U.S. for several years on a work visa or a student visa and during that time they could have built up considerable savings in accounts in the U.S. Can these funds be used for EB-5?

The answer is yes. Any funds generated lawfully from income may be used for EB-5 capital. If the funds are earned while working in the U.S. and saved in a U.S. based savings account, it actually makes the EB-5 process easier.

This is because it takes away the challenging step of figuring out how to transfer the funds outside a foreign country and into the U.S. when many countries have strict currency controls.

It also skips the process of having to translate all the documents from a foreign national’s home language to English. USCIS requires that all documents submitted during the filing processes be translated into English.

Lastly, it makes the process of assembling documentation for the I-526 Petition much simpler. An EB-5 applicant would just need to show their U.S. tax returns, pay stubs, and bank account statements.

The only issue that might arise during the process is if the EB-5 new commercial enterprise structure violates the terms of their current visa. To solve this problem, consult with a knowledgeable and experienced EB-5 immigration attorney.

For more information about what funds qualify for the EB-5 investment, send us a message.