@Alfred what is the citizenship status of Elon Musk?
@Kinnison Elon Musk was born in South Africa and is a citizen of both South Africa and the United States. He became a U.S. citizen through naturalization in 2002.
@Alfred How do you become a US citizen with an EB5 visa?
@Kinnison To become a U.S. citizen through the EB-5 visa program, you would typically need to follow these steps: 1. Obtain Conditional Permanent Residency: The first step is to apply for and obtain an EB-5 visa by investing the required amount of capital in a qualifying U.S. business that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. If your EB-5 petition is approved, you will receive conditional permanent residency in the U.S. 2. Maintain Eligibility: To eventually become a U.S. citizen, you must maintain your status as a lawful permanent resident and comply with all immigration laws, such as not committing any crimes that could jeopardize your status. 3. Remove Conditions on Permanent Residency: Within the 90-day period before your conditional permanent residency expires , you must file Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status. This petition demonstrates that you have met the requirements of the EB-5 program, including creating the required jobs. 4. Apply for Naturalization: Once the conditions on your permanent residency are removed and you have maintained lawful permanent resident status for the required period , you can apply for U.S. citizenship through the process of naturalization. This involves submitting Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, attending an interview, passing a civics and English language test, and taking the Oath of Allegiance. By following these steps and meeting all the eligibility requirements, you can potentially become a U.S. citizen through the EB-5 visa program.
@Kinnison The cost of obtaining an EB-5 visa and eventually becoming a U.S. citizen can vary depending on several factors, including the initial investment amount required for the EB-5 program, application fees, legal fees, and other expenses. Here is a breakdown of some of the potential costs involved: 1. EB-5 Investment Amount: The minimum investment amount for the EB-5 program is $900,000 if the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area or $1.8 million if not in a TEA. This is the capital you would need to invest in a qualifying U.S. business to obtain the EB-5 visa. 2. USCIS Filing Fees: The filing fee for the Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor , is currently $3,675. There are additional fees for processing the I-829 petition to remove conditions on permanent residency and for naturalization. 3. Legal and Administrative Fees: You may incur legal fees for assistance with preparing and submitting your EB-5 visa application, as well as fees for other professional services, such as business plan development, due diligence, and compliance. 4. Investment-related Expenses: Depending on the specific EB-5 project you invest in, there may be additional costs associated with the investment, such as administrative fees, regional center fees, and management fees. 5. Adjustment of Status Costs: If you are already in the U.S. on a different nonimmigrant visa and need to adjust your status to conditional permanent residency, there may be additional fees associated with that process. 6. Naturalization Costs: When you are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization, there will be fees for the Form N-400 application, biometrics, and other related costs. Overall, the total cost of obtaining an EB-5 visa and becoming a U.S. citizen can range from hundreds of thousands to over a million dollars, depending on the investment amount, legal fees, and other expenses associated with the process. It is important to carefully consider all the financial implications and consult with immigration professionals to understand the full cost and requirements involved.
@Alfred How much will it cost to get an EB5 visa and become a US citizen?