Any foreign citizen who wishes to enter the United States and live in New York can obtain a visa, but there are many reasons why you’d want an EB-5 visa. If you can afford it, getting your Green Card by investing is one of the fastest ways to become a permanent cardholder.

Understanding the Different Types of Visas Available

There are over 30 different types of visas available in the United States, but the majority of them fall into 8 categories. Here are the most popular visa types you’ll be able to use in the US.

• Tourist or Business Visa: The B-1, B-2, and EB-5 fall under this umbrella. Go to eb5visainvestments.com to schedule a free consultation for the EB-5 visa.

• Work Visas: Allows you to work in the US on a temporary basis. The H-2B is the most common, but the H-3 for trainees and H-1 B-1for specialty workers are widely used.

• Student Visa: The F-1 and M-1 visas are offered to academic and non-academic students who participate in English language studies or vocational training in the US.

• Exchange Visitors Visa: Use for exchange programs. J visas are for cultural exchange visitors, and J-1s are for au-pairs or teachers. Some use this visa for research purposes.

• Ship or Transit Visa: Transit C is for citizens of a foreign country traveling to another country via the US, whereas Crew D is for crew members serving on a ship or aircraft.

• Religious Worker Visa: R-type visas are given to people who want to work in a religious capacity in the US temporarily. They must be authorized by a religious group.

• Domestic Employee Visa: Personal or domestic employees, like nannies, butlers, or cooks, who accompany their employer to the US are eligible for a B-1 Visa.

• Media and Journalist Visa: People who work for a media or journalistic outlet can get an I visa. They must have a home office in a foreign country other than the US.

As you can see, there are several visas to choose from. However, the time it takes to get a permanent Green Card depends on the type of visa you receive. There are only two known ways to fast track your way to a permanent Green Card: via a sponsor or an EB-5 visa.

Why Get an EB-5 Visa Instead of a Work or Tourist Visa?

There’s nothing wrong with getting a work or tourist visa. However, if you have $900,000 or $1.8 million to spare on investments, you can earn your way up to a permanent Green Card.

Here are the requirements for an investor Green Card:

• Invest $1.8 million in a business (or $900,000 in targeted employment areas)

• The company in question must be founded after November 28th, 1990

• The company in question can also be purchased or restructured

• Create or preserve ten full-time jobs for Americans

• Write a business plan that explains how your investment will help the US economy

• Prove you’ll play an active role in your company and said company isn’t illegal

While that sounds like a lot of work, investing $1.8 million in the New York real estate market won’t be difficult. Plus, the EB-5 visa offers some advantages not found in other visa types:

• No skills or diploma are necessary

• You don’t need to be sponsored

• A Labor Certification isn’t required

• No long wait times or quota rules

• Spouses and children under 21 also receive a Green Card

• Business partners who invest in the same business also receive a Green Card

• You can apply for permanent residency after five years

You can move from a conditional to a permanent Green Card in as little as two years.