There are many citizens of Vietnam who aspire to secure permanent residency and citizenship in the United States that would allow them to bring their families to this country to live and work. One possible way for an investor to get a green card or U.S. citizenship is through the EB-5 investor program, provided they meet the specific requirements of this program.

Congress created the EB-5 investor program in order to encourage foreign nationals to make significant investments in the United States and to create jobs for U.S. workers. One can qualify by investing a minimum of $1 million and generating at least 10 full-time jobs. In some cases, for example, in rural areas or areas with high unemployment, the amount of investment needs to be only $500,000. The program also requires that the investors be involved in the day-to-day management of the business.

Vietnamese nationals face unique challenges when it comes to participating in the EB-5 program. For example, Vietnam regulates the export of its currency abroad. This makes it challenging for investors living in Vietnam to transfer money to the United States into EB-5 investment accounts. Many investors have been able to overcome these regulations by utilizing a credit institution to transfer the currency overseas.

Also, Vietnamese investors who receive real property as gifts from family members must show the giftor’s original ownership of land. Without such evidence, USCIS will not confirm that the giftor was able to legally gift the property. These are just some of the issues Vietnamese investors must be ready to deal with in the process of getting their permanent residency or U.S. citizenship.

A knowledgeable Los Angeles immigration lawyer can help Vietnamese investors understand the complex procedures involved in successfully obtaining their green card or U.S. citizenship through the EB-5 program.