Investor Immigration
At Bridgewood & Co., our investor immigration attorneys help foreign nationals obtain U.S. permanent residence or investment-based visas through strategic, well-structured investment pathways. We combine deep experience in business law and investor immigration to guide clients through the entire investment immigration process, from initial planning to visa approval.
Our approach is holistic and strategic. We advise on investment planning, transaction structuring, entity formation, contract drafting, and the preparation and filing of investor visa applications. By understanding your short- and long-term goals, we recommend the investor immigration solution that best aligns with your business objectives, risk tolerance, and timeline.
Whether you are an entrepreneur launching a U.S. business or an investor seeking permanent residence, Bridgewood & Co. designs and executes a personalized investor visa strategy tailored to your needs.
Our investor visa USA services include:
EB-5 Investor Visa USA
The EB-5 investor visa is a powerful immigration option for individuals with significant financial resources seeking to obtain a U.S. green card through investment. For many investors, the EB-5 visa may be the most direct path to permanent residence when no U.S. employer or family member is available to sponsor a visa or green card.
The EB-5 program is also an excellent entrepreneur visa USA solution for business owners whose U.S. ventures require substantial capital investment. At Bridgewood & Co., we bring the experience and strategic insight necessary to help clients successfully navigate the EB-5 visa USA program from start to finish.
EB-5 Investor Visa Requirements
To qualify for a U.S. green card by investment under the EB-5 program, an investor must:
Invest $900,000 or $1,800,000, depending on whether the project is located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)
Invest in a U.S. commercial enterprise
Create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers
Place invested funds at risk for the purpose of generating a return
Demonstrate a lawful source of funds
EB-5 regulations allow investment through designated Regional Centers, which may count indirect job creation, or through direct investment in the investor’s own enterprise. While EB-5 investors are not required to manage day-to-day operations, the investment cannot be entirely passive.
Types of Qualifying EB-5 Investments
Regional Center EB-5 Investment
Regional Centers are government-approved investment projects designed to meet EB-5 job creation requirements through direct, indirect, or induced employment. Most Regional Centers are located in TEAs and therefore qualify for the lower $900,000 investment threshold.
This option is ideal for investors seeking a more hands-off approach. A qualified Regional Center should provide a comprehensive project plan detailing how job creation requirements will be met.
As your EB-5 visa attorney, Bridgewood & Co. reviews Regional Center documentation, evaluates project compliance, and works closely with the Regional Center throughout the adjudication of your case.
Direct Investment EB-5 Visa
Entrepreneurs with a specific business vision may qualify through direct investment in their own U.S. enterprise. Any lawful commercial enterprise may qualify, provided it creates 10 full-time U.S. jobs.
The Direct Investment EB-5 option is especially well-suited for founders and business owners seeking a long-term entrepreneurial presence in the United States. Our firm represents clients through company formation, transactional structuring, capital deployment, and EB-5 petition filing, ensuring both business and immigration compliance.
EB-5 Investor Visa Process
Approved EB-5 applicants initially receive conditional permanent residence valid for two years. Before the end of this period, the investor must file a petition to remove conditions, demonstrating that:
The required investment was sustained
Funds remained at risk
The required jobs were created
Bridgewood & Co. represents clients throughout the entire EB-5 lifecycle, including both the initial petition and the removal of conditions.
Family Benefits of the EB-5 Program
The EB-5 program allows spouses and unmarried children under 21 to apply together with the principal investor. Family members receive U.S. green cards, enabling them to live, work, and study anywhere in the United States.
Who Should Consider the EB-5 Investor Visa?
Professionals Without a U.S. Sponsor
Professionals whose careers are unrelated to their investment may benefit from a Regional Center EB-5 investment, allowing them to continue working abroad while the petition is pending. Upon approval, they may live and work freely in the United States.
Families with School-Aged Children
The EB-5 program is particularly attractive for families planning U.S. education. Children who obtain green cards may:
Attend U.S. colleges at resident tuition rates
Avoid the restrictions and uncertainty of F-1 student visas
Work, intern, and pursue careers without visa limitations
Entrepreneurs Starting or Expanding a U.S. Business
The Direct Investment EB-5 route is ideal for entrepreneurs making significant investments in U.S. ventures. Investors already in the U.S. on E-2 or L-1 visas may later qualify for EB-5 once investment thresholds are met.
Retirees and Those Seeking Permanent Residence
The EB-5 program allows investors to reside indefinitely in the United States without ongoing visa renewals. Investors are not required to actively manage the business after receiving permanent residence.
Individuals with Long-Term Citizenship Goals
The EB-5 investor visa leads to lawful permanent residence. After five years as a green card holder, investors may apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization.
How Bridgewood & Co. Can Help
At Bridgewood & Co., we combine investment immigration expertise with sophisticated business law counsel to design and execute customized EB-5 strategies. From planning and structuring to petition approval and beyond, we guide you through every stage of the U.S. green card by investment process with clarity, precision, and confidence.
EB-5 vs E-2 vs L-1 Visa Comparison
| Feature | EB-5 Investor Visa | E-2 Treaty Investor Visa | L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Type | Immigrant visa (green card) | Nonimmigrant visa | Nonimmigrant visa |
| Leads to Green Card | ✅ Yes (direct path) | ❌ No (temporary, but can transition) | ❌ No (but can transition to EB-1C) |
| Minimum Investment | $900,000 (TEA) or $1,800,000 (non-TEA) | No fixed minimum (must be “substantial”) | No minimum investment required |
| Job Creation Requirement | 10 full-time U.S. jobs | No fixed job requirement | No fixed job requirement |
| Active Management Required | ❌ Not required (cannot be purely passive) | ✅ Yes (must direct and develop business) | ✅ Yes (managerial/executive or specialized role) |
| Eligible Nationalities | All nationalities | Treaty countries only | All nationalities |
| Business Ownership | Investment in U.S. enterprise or Regional Center | At least 50% owned by treaty nationals | Qualifying foreign + U.S. company relationship |
| Family Benefits | Spouse & children get green cards | Spouse can work; children cannot | Spouse can work; children cannot |
| Visa Duration | Conditional green card (2 years) → permanent | Usually 2–5 years, renewable indefinitely | L-1A: up to 7 yrs / L-1B: up to 5 yrs |
| Residency Requirement | Must maintain U.S. residence | Must maintain intent to depart | Dual intent allowed |
| Best For | Investors seeking permanent residence | Entrepreneurs starting/operating a U.S. business | Executives expanding a foreign company into the U.S. |
Which Visa Is Right for You?
EB-5 Investor Visa
Best for:
Investors seeking a direct green card
Individuals without a U.S. employer or treaty nationality
Families prioritizing long-term residence and citizenship
Parents with children planning U.S. education
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
Best for:
Entrepreneurs from treaty countries
Investors wanting a lower capital entry
Business owners actively managing operations
Those comfortable with a renewable, non-immigrant status
L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa
Best for:
Business owners or executives with an existing foreign company
Companies expanding into the U.S. market
Applicants planning a future EB-1C green card
Managers, executives, or specialized employees
Strategic Note
Many successful immigration plans involve progression, such as:
E-2 → EB-5
L-1 → EB-1C
E-2 → L-1 → Green Card
A properly structured strategy can reduce risk, control costs, and accelerate permanent residence.
EB-5 Investor Visa Regional Center Project and Developer Representation
EB-5 Regional Center Designation Services
At Bridgewood & Co., we combine deep immigration and business law experience to advise organizations seeking designation as USCIS-approved EB-5 Regional Centers. Once approved, a Regional Center may sponsor investment projects under the EB-5 Investor Visa USA program, offering foreign investors an attractive pathway to U.S. permanent residence.
Regional Centers are often preferred by EB-5 investors because they may count both direct and indirect job creation toward the program’s mandatory employment requirements. Proper planning, documentation, and compliance are critical to securing and maintaining Regional Center approval.
Strategic Planning & USCIS Compliance
We conduct extensive planning and due diligence, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of professionals—including economists, securities counsel, and business advisors—to ensure your organization complies with all applicable USCIS regulations and EB-5 program requirements.
Our services include:
Structuring EB-5 investment projects for Regional Center eligibility
Coordinating economic impact studies and job-creation methodologies
Ensuring compliance with immigration and securities regulations
Preparing and filing Form I-924, Application for Regional Center Designation Under the Immigrant Investor Program
Advising on ongoing Regional Center compliance and operational requirements
Bridgewood & Co. guides organizations through the nuanced regulatory framework governing the EB-5 program, helping reduce risk and position projects for long-term success.
Second Citizenship By Investment
Citizenship & Residence by Investment (Global Programs)
In addition to our U.S. investment immigration services, Bridgewood & Co. works closely with foreign legal counsel and global mobility professionals to help clients obtain second citizenship or residence through investment in select international jurisdictions. Many countries around the world offer programs similar in concept to the EB-5 Investor Visa USA, providing lawful pathways to residence or citizenship in exchange for qualifying investments.
In Europe, countries such as Malta offer citizenship by investment, while Greece, Portugal, and Bulgaria provide residence-by-investment programs that can lead to valuable European Union residency and mobility benefits.
Several Caribbean nations, including Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, also offer well-established citizenship by investment programs.
Notably, Grenada’s citizenship by investment can be a strategic option for individuals from non-treaty countries who wish to pursue the E-2 Entrepreneur Visa USA. Because Grenada is an E-2 treaty country, obtaining Grenadian citizenship may open the door to E-2 eligibility for the United States.
Second Citizenship for U.S. Citizens
Are you a U.S. citizen considering a second citizenship through investment? While the United States does not formally encourage dual citizenship, it does not require you to forfeit U.S. citizenship if you acquire another nationality. As a result, many U.S. citizens legally hold dual citizenship and benefit from enhanced global mobility, tax planning options, and lifestyle flexibility.
Strategic Guidance Tailored to Your Goals
As part of our citizenship and residence by investment services, Bridgewood & Co. helps you evaluate and compare international programs based on your short- and long-term objectives, family considerations, and risk profile. We provide strategic advice to determine the most suitable program for you and your family and coordinate with our global network of professionals to execute the process efficiently.
Our goal is to turn your second citizenship or residence plans into a practical, well-structured reality—aligned with your broader immigration, business, and lifestyle goals.