Can I Extend My Tourist Visa through the EB-5 Program?

When a person wants to move to the United States, they have several immigration options available. In particular, a person may come into the United States through a tourist or nonimmigrant visa, then extend their stay into permanent residence through another visa program. However, there are some serious legal issues with this tactic.

If you are looking to move to the United States and are trying to find a visa program that works for you, the EB-5 visa program may be suitable for your needs. To learn more about the obligations and rules of this program, contact a knowledgeable EB-5 attorney of White & Associates today by calling 818-730-3540.

3 Problems with Tourist Visas Becoming EB-5 Visas

A person may try to use their tourist visa as grounds to extend their stay through an EB-5 visa. However, the following problems may arise:

#1: Paperwork May Be Rejected

In generally, federal immigration officials are more likely to reject the immigration claims of those who file for visas while using a tourist visa. This can immediately stop the EB-5 process for an immigrant.

#2: Tourist Visas are Often Too Temporary to Achieve EB-5 Requirements

The EB-5 program requires that a person creates 10 full-time jobs after providing a $1 million investment. This is often too much for someone to handle within the short time allotted with a tourist visa. However, through the normal EB-5 visa route, a person has two years to achieve this aim.

#3: Tourist Visas May Rush the Relocation Process

A tourist visa often is approved on temporary grounds, making relocation and moving a stressful process. After all, if a family moves to the U.S. on a tourist visa, they may find the visa expired by the time they are settled. Instead, an EB-5 visa will allow two years of residency for the program, as opposed to the temporary basis of a tourist visa.

Contact Us

If you are considering immigrating to the United States, we may be able to help you with your legal options through the EB-5 program. This employment-based visa is often a great solution for many prospective immigrants. To learn more, contact an EB-5 immigration lawyer of White & Associates today at 818-730-3540.