EB-5 Visa: Your Path to iFixScreens Franchise Success

EB-5 visas are reserved for immigrants who have invested or are in the process of investing, at least the required minimum amount of capital in a new commercial franchise that employs at least 10 full-time U.S. workers no later than two years after the petitioner receives their approval:

$1,050,000 for standard investments or $800,000 for investment in a commercial enterprise principally doing business in a targeted employment area or in a regional center-associated infrastructure project. For petitions filed before March 15, 2022, the two amounts were $1,000,000 for standard investments or $500,000 for investments in a targeted employment area.

The investment requirement is cut in half for aliens investing in regional centers and targeted employment areas (TEAs), which are rural locations or areas with unemployment rates greater than 150 percent of the national average. 

Of the 10,000 EB-5 visas allocated annually, 3,000 are reserved for TEAs, and 3,000 are reserved for regional centers.

The EB-5 visa is an immigrant visa classification, so it leads to a green card for successful applicants. By getting an EB-5 visa, your spouse and children can also get their green card as well.

To Qualify For An EB-5 Visa:

• You must invest in a "new commercial enterprise."
• You must invest at least $800,000 in the new commercial enterprise. (You may qualify to make a reduced investment of $900,000 if the investment is located in a "targeted employment area.")
• Your investment must lead to the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers.
• Your investment funds must be "at risk."
• The funds used for your investment must have been lawfully obtained.
• You must engage in the management of the new commercial enterprise.

Step 1 - Hire an Immigration Attorney
Hiring an immigration lawyer with experience handling EB-5 cases is the first stage in the EB-5 program. We can recommend one for you if you don't already have one.

Step 2 - Select an Investment
iFixScreens.com is a perfect match for new commercial enterprise investment. We have proven business that qualifies for the EB-5 visa.

Step 3 - Invest Your Funds
Buy the iFixScreens franchise. We will work with you to select an area to open 4-5 iFixScreens.com stores.

You must establish when you file the Form I-526 that you have invested in the new commercial enterprise or are actively working to do so.

The funds can be put into an escrow account. (The disbursement of money would be contingent upon I-526 approval and the granting of a visa or status adjustment.)

The mere indication of a future investment is insufficient.

Step 4 - File Form I-526
Your lawyer will file the Form I-526 on your behalf after gathering all required paperwork.

The initial EB-5 petition is the I-526.

You can submit an application for conditional permanent residency if your I-526 is accepted (a two-year conditional green card).

You have two years to finish the EB-5 requirements before receiving your conditional green card. The conditions include retaining a "at risk" investment in the project and producing ten full-time jobs for US citizens.

Step 5 - Adjustment of Status/Visa Processing
There are two ways to get your conditional green card. Whether inside or outside of the US, you will either adjust your status in the US or go through consular processing abroad.

Adjustment of Status is made by by filing a Form I-485

By submitting a Form DS-260, consular procedure is completed.

Step 6 - File Form I-829
You are qualified to have your lawyer file a Form I-829 on your behalf after 21 months as a conditional permanent residence.

Fill out Form I-829 to request that the condition on your green card be lifted. You must do this in order to be granted unconditional permanent residence status (a permanent resident green card holder).

If you fulfill all conditions for the EB-5 program, you are qualified to have the condition on your green card lifted. This is accomplished by demonstrating that you maintained your investment in the project and that you added the necessary 10 full-time positions for US citizens.

Step 7 - Citizenship (Optional)
You might be qualified to apply for naturalization to become a citizen of the US after having been a permanent resident for at least five years.

I-526 Processing
It currently takes about 18 months for USCIS to process an I-526. (The 18-month timeline is excepted to improve in the future)
Adjustment of Status or Visa Processing

Adjustment of Status: takes about six months

Consular processing typically takes eight to twelve months.

Conditional Permanent Residency:
For two years, you are a conditional green card holder until approval of your I-829 petition.

During these two years, you can live and work in the USA.
I-829 Processing

The current processing time for Form I-829 is roughly 2.5 years.

Permanent Residency (Green Card):
Once your I-829 is approved, you are a permanent resident.
Naturalization

Citizenship:
You might be qualified to apply for naturalization to become a US citizen after having been a permanent resident for at least 5 years.

You can switch to an EB-5 visa if you are already in the US on an E-2 treaty investor visa.
"Adjustment of status" refers to the transition from an E2 visa to an EB-5 visa.
A number of important advantages if you decide to use your E2 company as the new commercial firm for your EB-5 visa:
It's possible that the money you've previously put into the E2 firm will count toward your EB-5 investment.
The ten full-time employment you must generate may include the jobs you've already established through your E2 firm.

Financial Requirement: A minimum of $500,000 being invested into the franchise venture.

Contract a Visa Attorney/Consultant: The fees for this will vary with whom you choose. It's important to choose an attorney with a successful track record of placements. You may also consider working with a EB-5 franchise consultant during this process. 

Issue the Franchise Fee: The franchise fee for one iFixScreens store is $30,000 with it being reduced to $20,000 for each additional franchise license.

Outfit & Construct Your Stores: The total cost for getting 1 store ready for opening is between $98,700 and $136,500. This includes all franchise fees, working capital. (See FDD for complete layout of expenditures)