Brazil consistently ranks among the top ten, the largest EB-5 markets worldwide. It has become the most significant source of EB-5 investors outside Southeast Asia. This shows how many Brazilian investors understand the program’s potential.
If you’re curious to discover how Brazilian investors are turning their investments into U.S. permanent residency, keep reading. In this article, we’ll walk you through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and share practical tips for choosing the right investment project.
The EB-5 Investor Visa Program for Brazilian Nationals
If you’re a Brazilian investor interested in U.S. permanent residency, you should know about the EB-5 program. This immigration path allows you to obtain a green card by making a qualifying investment in a U.S. business.
Here’s what you need to know about the investment requirements:
- $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs)
- $1,050,000 in non-TEA locations
- Your investment must create ten full-time jobs for U.S. workers
- Your investment needs to be “at risk,” with no guaranteed returns
If you’d like to understand each step in detail, check out our comprehensive guide on the EB-5 application process. For now, here’s a quick overview of the main steps you’ll need to take:
1. Select a qualifying EB-5 investment project
2. Complete due diligence and prepare source of funds documentation
3. File Form I-526 with USCIS
4. After I-526 approval, apply for a visa or adjustment of status
5. Maintain your investment for at least 2 years after receiving conditional permanent residency
6. File Form I-829 to remove conditions on permanent residence
What Brazilians Need to Know About EB5 Visa Cost
Let’s break down the costs you’ll need to consider for your EB-5 investment. We’ll use an exchange rate of $1 = R$5 to help you understand the amounts in Brazilian reais. Remember that exchange rates change daily.
For the main investment, you’ll need:
- $800,000 (around R$4,000,000) for TEA projects
- $1,050,000 (around R$5,250,000) for non-TEA projects
Aside from your investment, you’ll need to budget for additional costs like document processing, project management, and professional fees. Here’s a detailed breakdown of these extra costs:
| Additional Costs | U.S. dollar (USD) | Brazilian real (BRL) |
| Immigration Attorney Fees | $15,000 – $25,000 | R$75,000 – R$125,000 |
| Source of Funds Documentation | $5,000 – $15,000 | R$25,000 – R$75,000 |
| I-526 Petition Filing Fee | $3,675 | R$18,375 |
| I-485 Adjustment of Status (if filing in the U.S.) | $1,140 | R$5,700 |
| Biometrics Fee | $85 | R$425 |
| I-829 Petition to Remove Conditions | $3,750 | R$18,750 |
| Administrative Fees (for regional centers) | $50,000 – $75,000 | R$250,000 – R$375,000 |
| Translation Services (documents) | $2,000 – $5,000 | R$10,000 – R$25,000 |
| Document Authentication/Apostille | $1,000 – $3,000 | R$5,000 – R$15,000 |
| Project Evaluation | $5,000 – $15,000 | R$25,000 – R$75,000 |
| Business Plan Review | $3,000 – $5,000 | R$15,000 – R$25,000 |
When you add everything up, here’s what you can expect to spend:
- TEA Projects: $885,000 – $950,000 (R$4,425,000 – R$4,750,000)
- Non-TEA Projects: $1,135,000 – $1,200,000 (R$5,675,000 – R$6,000,000)
Keep in mind that these are estimates. Your actual costs may vary based on several factors, including the exchange rate, which can change during application.
Pro Tip: Keep extra funds available for unexpected expenses that might come up along the way.
Project Compliance for Successful EB-5 Investments
Project compliance is arguably the most crucial aspect of your whole EB-5 application. One misstep in compliance can put your entire immigration journey at risk.
Here are the top five reasons why ensuring project compliance is crucial for EB-5 investments:
Reason #1 – Secure Your Immigration Status
Your permanent residency directly depends on your project’s compliance with EB-5 requirements. Non-compliant projects can lead to visa denial or green card revocation, which can risk your family’s immigration status. Many investors lose years of effort and significant investments because of compliance issues.
Reason #2 – Protect Your Investment
Compliant projects follow strict fund management rules to protect your investment. When a project maintains compliance, your money follows the agreed plan. You’ll have clear documentation of how your funds move through escrow banks and into the project.
Strong compliance measures help prevent misuse of your investment. Also, it will protect you from potential securities violations. You opt for regular compliance checks to ensure your project maintains proper financial controls.
Reason #3 – Pass USCIS Reviews and Audits
USCIS examines every detail of your project’s documentation during petition reviews. They look for evidence that supports all claims in your petitions. Non-compliance can trigger deeper investigations that affect every investor in your project.
This means you need proper record-keeping for future audits. Because missing or incorrect documentation can cause serious problems.
Reason #4 – Prevent Legal Issues
Good compliance practices protect you from SEC investigations and potential investor lawsuits. Your project needs to follow all securities laws and regulations. Proper compliance includes meeting disclosure requirements and maintaining accurate records. You’ll face fewer risks of criminal penalties when your project follows compliance rules.
Reason #5 – Build Trust and Credibility
Compliance isn’t just about avoiding risks—it’s about establishing trust with stakeholders, from immigration authorities to fellow investors. Projects prioritizing compliance demonstrate transparency and reliability, making them more attractive to investors and ensuring smooth collaboration. Maintaining strict adherence to EB-5 requirements builds a reputation for credibility, giving you and your project a competitive edge.
Evaluating EB-5 Projects for Maximum Visa Approval Chances
Your EB-5 journey starts with choosing the “right project.” This decision can make or break your immigration success, so you must carefully evaluate each option before investing your money.
Here’s a list of the most important factors to consider when choosing your EB-5 project.
Look at Track Record and Experience
Check how many projects the developer has completed successfully. Look for developers who know EB-5 rules inside and out. You want someone with a proven history of helping investors get their I-526 and I-829 approvals. Review their financial stability and market reputation. You should also ask for references from past EB-5 investors and see how their projects turned out.
Pro Tip: Avoid developers with no track record or those who can’t provide clear documentation of their past successes.
Check Job Creation Potential
Make sure your project has a solid plan for creating jobs. The best projects include a 20-30% buffer above the minimum required ten jobs per investor. This buffer protects you if some jobs don’t work out.
Look for clear timelines that match immigration requirements. Your project should show you exactly how they’ll create and track these jobs. If the project is delayed, ask about their backup plans.
Note: You could consider working with a regional center because they can count a mix of different types of jobs (direct, indirect, and induced) to meet the requirements.
Review Financial Structure
Your project should explain precisely how they’ll use your EB-5 funds. Look at the potential return on investment and how much of the total cost comes from EB-5 money compared to other sources. Then, check the developer’s investment in the project. You should also study the exit strategy carefully. Only choose projects with realistic returns and clear plans for paying back investors.
Be cautious of unusually high promised returns or unclear financial information.
Pro Tip: Ask about how currency changes might affect your investment.
Examine Legal Documents and Structure
Good projects have complete, professional offering documents. You should:
- Check that all securities registrations are in place and current.
- Look closely at how the escrow works and what protects your investment.
- Understand exactly what rights you have as an investor.
The business plan should be detailed and match the legal documents. Also, consider hiring a local lawyer to review everything (they can spot issues you might miss).
Study Market Conditions
Research your project’s location and check if there’s an actual demand for what they’re building.
Know who the competitors are and what makes your project different. Look at the local economy – is it growing or struggling?
You must check if similar projects have succeeded in the area. The project should offer multiple income streams and clear plans for selling or leasing.
Pro Tip: Visit the site if you can. Seeing things in person tells you a lot about the project’s potential.
Ready to Explore EB-5 Opportunities for Brazilian Investors?
The benefits of an EB-5 visa are that it opens doors for Brazilian investors seeking permanent residency in the U.S. Through careful project selection and proper compliance management, you can secure your family’s future in the United States.
At Austin EB5, we connect Brazilian investors like you with pre-qualified EB-5 projects that match your investment goals. Contact us today for your personalized consultation.
EB-5 Investor Visa Program FAQs
What is the EB-5 Investor Visa Program for Brazilians?
The EB-5 Investor Visa Program is a U.S. immigrant visa program that allows foreign investors, including Brazilian citizens, to obtain a green card by investing in a U.S. business that creates jobs for American workers.
What are the eligibility requirements for Brazil investors for the EB-5 visa?
Investors from Brazil must meet several requirements, including making a minimum investment of $1 million (or $500,000 in a targeted employment area), demonstrating the source of funds, and proving that the investment will create at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
What are the benefits of the EB-5 visa for Brazilian citizens?
The benefits of the EB-5 visa include the ability to live and work anywhere in the United States, access to educational opportunities for investors’ children, and a path to U.S. citizenship after fulfilling residency requirements.
Are there specific income requirements for the EB-5 visa program?
While there are no strict income requirements to qualify for the EB-5 visa, investors must demonstrate that they have the necessary funds for the investment and can account for the source of those funds in compliance with U.S. laws.
What is the current backlog for EB-5 visas issued to Brazilian citizens?
Due to high demand, Brazilian citizens’ EB-5 visa issuance process can be delayed. The Department of State publishes a visa bulletin that updates visa availability and wait times for applicants.
How do EB-5 visa statistics show the program’s popularity among Brazilian investors?
EB-5 visa statistics indicate that investors in Brazil are significantly interested, with many applying each year. The program’s popularity can be attributed to its potential for U.S. residency and citizenship and the investment opportunities it presents.
What should Brazilian investors know about the source of funds when applying for an EB-5 visa?
Brazilian investors must provide detailed documentation proving the lawful source of their investment funds. This may include bank statements, tax returns, and other financial records to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations.
