Best Citizenship by Investment Lawyers in Coral Gables

1. About Citizenship by Investment Law in Coral Gables, United States

In Coral Gables, there is no municipal or state program granting citizenship by investment. Citizenship by Investment is not awarded by the city or Florida state government. Federal immigration law governs any path to citizenship or permanent residency for foreign nationals.

The most common route people pursue in the United States is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. This program, administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), provides a pathway to lawful permanent residence for qualifying foreign investors who invest in a U.S. enterprise that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.

After obtaining conditional permanent residence through an EB-5 investment, investors typically remove the conditions after two years by filing Form I-829. Following the required period of permanent residence, individuals may pursue naturalization as a U.S. citizen, usually after five years of permanent residency or three years if married to a U.S. citizen at the time of naturalization. These processes are federal in scope and require attention to specific timelines and documentation.

Because the investment path often involves cross-border funds, complex source-of-funds documentation, and federal job-creation requirements, Coral Gables residents commonly work with a Florida-licensed attorney who specialises in immigration and investment law. This helps ensure compliance with U.S. federal rules while coordinating any local business or real estate aspects in Florida.

“The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program provides a path to lawful permanent residence for foreign investors, but it does not grant citizenship directly.”

USCIS

Note on recent reforms: The EB-5 program underwent significant changes in recent years, including reforms intended to increase program integrity and clarify investment thresholds. For up-to-date guidance, consult official sources from the U.S. government.

For authoritative guidance on the EB-5 program and related processes, refer to official government resources cited below in the “Additional Resources” section.

2. Why You May Need a Lawyer

Engaging a qualified attorney is essential to navigate the EB-5 process and Coral Gables specific considerations. Here are real-world scenarios where legal counsel can add value:

• You are considering an EB-5 investment in a Coral Gables project. An attorney can assess whether the project will meet job creation requirements and help structure the investment to maximize compliance and efficiency.
• Your funds come from abroad and require source-of-funds documentation. A lawyer can assemble and verify bank records, currency exchanges, gift documents, and business proceeds to satisfy USCIS expectations and avoid RFEs.
• You must determine TEA eligibility and investment amounts for a Florida-based project. An attorney can confirm if the investment qualifies as a TEA and guide timely filings with the appropriate authorities.
• You receive an RFE or Notice of Intent to Deny from USCIS. A lawyer can prepare a precise, legally sound response, meet deadlines, and preserve eligibility for permanent residence.
• You are choosing between direct EB-5 investment and a regional center structure. A lawyer can analyse risks, job-creation methods, and ongoing reporting obligations to fit your goals.
• You plan for eventual naturalization after obtaining green cards. An attorney can map a trajectory, address residency requirements, and coordinate with tax and estate planning professionals.

3. Local Laws Overview

Citizenship by Investment in Coral Gables is governed by federal law, not by city or state statutes specific to CBI. Florida residents, however, must comply with state and local business and real estate regulations when participating in investment projects. Key federal laws and regulations shape the program and its administration.

Federal law and regulations to be aware of include:

• Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and related provisions governing the EB-5 immigrant investor category, administered by USCIS.
• (Petitions for Immigrant Investors) and (Adjustment of status and removal of conditions), which establish petitioning, residency, and conditions removal procedures for EB-5 investors.
• EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (federal statute reauthorizing and reforming EB-5 operations, including new integrity measures and program requirements). This act affects how investments are structured and tracked by federal agencies.

Important context for Coral Gables investors is that TEA (Targeted Employment Area) designations are determined through state and local data in conjunction with federal rules. The amount of the required investment can differ based on TEA status and project type. Always verify TEA designations at the time of investment to avoid later compliance issues.

Because immigration matters are federal, there are no Coral Gables ordinances that directly regulate CBI eligibility. Local real estate and business licensing requirements may apply if you conduct project-related activities in Florida. A Florida-licensed attorney can coordinate these local aspects with the federal EB-5 framework.

“The EB-5 program requires the investment of capital in a U.S. business and the creation of 10 full-time jobs for qualifying employees, with a pathway to permanent residence for investors.”

USCIS

For authoritative, government-sanctioned details on the EB-5 framework and current requirements, see the official sources listed in the Additonal Resources section.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

5. Additional Resources

Access official government resources and relevant Florida organizations to inform your decision and planning.

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - EB-5 program https://www.uscis.gov/eb-5
• U.S. Department of State - Immigrant Investor Visa Program overview https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/investor.html
• Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research (for Florida data and context) https://edr.state.fl.us/

6. Next Steps

1. Clarify your goals and timeline. Define whether you want a direct EB-5 investment or a regional center setup, and set a target naturalization date. Expect initial consultations within 1-2 weeks.
2. Confirm you will work with a Florida-licensed immigration attorney. Schedule an intake call and prepare personal and financial documents within 2 weeks of engaging counsel.
3. Gather and verify source of funds documentation. Collect tax returns, bank statements, business sale records, and proof of legitimate origin of funds. Complete within 3-6 weeks.
4. Assess TEA eligibility and investment structure. Your attorney will evaluate TEA designations and project structure with the investment timeline in mind. Expect 2-4 weeks for analysis.
5. Select a project type and investment path. Decide between direct investment and a regional center, with due diligence on project viability and job creation. Timeline: 2-4 weeks.
6. Prepare and file I-526 petition. Your attorney will assemble petitions and submit to USCIS. Processing may take 12-36 months depending on the case and backlogs.
7. Coordinate conditional permanent residency and I-829 removal of conditions. After approval of I-526, you will obtain conditional permanent residency; plan for I-829 filing near the two-year mark. Allow 24 months for processing after filing.