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There is no federal program in the United States that grants immediate citizenship in exchange for an investment. What is available are immigration pathways that can lead to permanent residency - and then to naturalization - based on investment or business activity. The most widely used federal route is the immigrant-investor program commonly called EB-5, which can result in conditional lawful permanent resident status for the investor and qualifying family members. Other investment-related routes include nonimmigrant investor visas such as the E-2 treaty investor visa, which provides temporary residence for nationals of qualifying countries but does not by itself lead directly to citizenship.
Because citizenship and immigration are governed by federal law, the principal requirements and application processes are set by federal agencies. However, local factors in Greenwood Village and the State of Colorado - such as business licensing, zoning, real estate rules, state taxes, and county property requirements - can affect an investor project and are important to consider when planning an investment-based immigration strategy.
Investment-based immigration involves overlapping areas of law - federal immigration law, securities and corporate law, real estate law, tax law, and local municipal regulations. You may need a lawyer in the following common situations:
- Preparing and filing federal immigration petitions and responses to requests for evidence.
- Performing due diligence on an EB-5 or other investor project, including reviewing offering documents, business plans, job creation assumptions, and the legal structure of regional-center projects or direct investments.
- Structuring the investment to comply with federal securities and corporate governance laws, and to protect you from liability.
- Handling real estate transactions, title review, zoning and permitting matters for a project based in Greenwood Village or Colorado.
- Tax planning for U.S. and foreign tax consequences of your investment, ownership structure, and eventual U.S. residency or citizenship.
- Responding to audits, investigations, or potential inadmissibility issues based on prior conduct, source of funds, or other immigration complications.
- Coordinating timing of immigration filings, conditional permanent residence removal petitions, and ultimate naturalization applications.
Because mistakes or incomplete documentation can lead to denials, lengthy delays, or loss of immigration benefits, an experienced attorney can reduce risk and help you make informed decisions at each stage.
Key local and state legal considerations in Greenwood Village and Colorado that often intersect with an investor-immigration plan include:
- Business Formation and Registration - The Colorado Secretary of State governs business entity formation and registration. If you plan to establish a business in Greenwood Village, you must select an entity type, register with the state, and comply with state filing requirements.
- Local Business Licenses and Permits - Greenwood Village may require business licenses, local permits, or specific approvals depending on the type of business or real estate use. Zoning and land-use rules can restrict project types or require special approvals.
- Zoning and Land Use - Greenwood Village zoning ordinances affect what you can build or operate on a property. If your investor project involves development, check local zoning, design review, and building permit processes early.
- Real Estate Conveyancing and Property Taxes - Property purchases are subject to county recording and property tax rules administered at the county level. Arapahoe County or the applicable county office manages property assessment and taxation for Greenwood Village.
- State and Local Taxation - Colorado income tax and local tax obligations apply to businesses and residents. State tax registration, sales and use tax considerations, and local business taxes may be relevant to your investment.
- Employment Law and Hiring - If your investor plan relies on job creation to meet immigration requirements, Colorado employment laws, wage and hour rules, and state unemployment insurance requirements will apply.
Because federal immigration eligibility can hinge on legitimate job creation and lawful business activity, resolving these local legal and regulatory issues is critical for a successful outcome.
No. The United States does not have a program that grants immediate citizenship in exchange for money. Investment programs can lead to lawful permanent residency - and then, after meeting residency and other requirements, to naturalization and U.S. citizenship.
The primary federal option for immigrants seeking residency through investment is the EB-5 immigrant investor pathway, which requires a qualifying investment and the creation of a required number of jobs. Other investor-related options include nonimmigrant investor visas such as the E-2 treaty investor visa for nationals of treaty countries, and various work visas that may be relevant if you plan to run a business in the United States.
Timing varies. EB-5 processing times depend on USCIS processing backlogs, whether you pursue adjustment of status or consular processing, and whether priority dates are current. After receiving conditional permanent residency, investors typically file to remove conditions after about two years. Naturalization requires a period of continuous lawful permanent residence - generally five years from the date you receive a green card, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen - plus other eligibility criteria such as physical presence, good moral character, and English and civics requirements.
Required evidence commonly includes proof of lawful source of investment funds, evidence of investment transaction and fund transfer, business plans and economic evidence showing job creation, corporate and organizational documents for the investment vehicle, identification documents, and immigration forms. Exact documentation depends on the chosen immigration pathway.
Yes. EB-5 and most immigrant-investor pathways allow the investor to include a spouse and unmarried children under 21 as derivative beneficiaries. They may obtain conditional permanent resident status along with the principal investor.
Direct real estate purchases that do not create the required number of qualifying jobs typically will not satisfy EB-5 job-creation requirements. Some EB-5 projects involve real estate development that includes job creation through construction and operations, but the structure and documentation must meet federal requirements. Each project must be evaluated carefully.
Key risks include fraudulent or poorly managed projects, misrepresentation of job-creation projections, failure to comply with securities laws, insufficient documentation of source of funds, changes in program rules, and financial loss. Thorough legal and financial due diligence and use of qualified professionals mitigate these risks.
You may hire an immigration attorney licensed in any U.S. state to handle federal immigration filings, but local matters - real estate, business formation, zoning, and state taxes - are usually best handled by Colorado counsel knowledgeable about Greenwood Village and state law. Coordinated teams of immigration, tax, real estate, and corporate attorneys are common.
Costs vary widely. Expect government filing fees, legal fees for immigration and local counsel, costs for due diligence, accounting and tax advice, administrative costs for setting up entities, and possible fees for regional center projects. Legal fees depend on complexity and counsel rates. Ask for fee estimates and billing arrangements at the outset.
Verify attorneys by checking state bar membership and disciplinary history, and look for experience in investor immigration matters. For regional centers or investment sponsors, request corporate documents, offering memoranda, audited financial statements, references from other investors, and evidence of past project results. Never proceed without independent due diligence performed by qualified counsel and financial advisors.
Helpful federal and local bodies and organizations to consult or research include:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - for current federal immigration forms, policy and processing information.
- U.S. Department of State - for visa processing and consular guidance if you plan consular processing abroad.
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security - for overarching immigration enforcement and policy.
- Colorado Secretary of State - for business entity registration and filings.
- Greenwood Village City Government - for local business licenses, zoning, planning, and permit requirements.
- Arapahoe County Recorder or Assessor - for property records and tax assessment information.
- Colorado Department of Revenue - for state tax registration and obligations.
- American Immigration Lawyers Association - a professional association where you can identify experienced immigration attorneys.
- Local certified public accountants and tax advisors experienced with cross-border investments and residency issues.
If you are considering an investment-based immigration path while living in or targeting Greenwood Village, follow these pragmatic next steps:
- Gather your objectives and timeline - determine whether your goal is permanent residency, family migration, business presence, or eventual naturalization.
- Schedule consultations with an experienced immigration attorney - ask about their EB-5 or investor visa experience, success rate, and how they coordinate with local counsel.
- Engage local Colorado counsel for business, real estate, zoning and tax matters - these professionals should work with your immigration counsel to ensure the investment qualifies under federal rules and meets local requirements.
- Conduct thorough due diligence on any project or sponsor - review offering documents, financials, business plans, and past performance, and obtain independent financial and legal reviews.
- Prepare source-of-funds documentation early - assembling bank records, transaction histories, and explanations of the lawful origin of funds can take time and is essential for federal filings.
- Request clear fee and engagement agreements - make sure you understand filing fees, estimated attorney fees, and any contingency or success-based arrangements.
- Maintain careful recordkeeping and comply with local and federal reporting - good documentation reduces risk of denials or later problems.
Finally, understand that immigration law and investment programs change over time. A local, experienced team can help you navigate federal requirements and Greenwood Village and Colorado regulations to create a coherent plan aimed at achieving your immigration and investment goals.
Note - This guide provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney to obtain advice specific to your circumstances.
