Best Citizenship by Investment Lawyers in Livonia

1. About Citizenship by Investment Law in Livonia, United States

There is no formal Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program in the United States or in Livonia, Michigan. The U.S. government does not grant citizenship directly in exchange for investment. Instead, investors pursue the immigrant investor pathway, commonly known as the EB-5 program, which leads to lawful permanent residency (a green card) and, after a period of residency, potential naturalization as a U.S. citizen.

For Livonia residents, the EB-5 process is a federal matter that interacts with state and local business practices. An attorney or attorney-lobbyist in Michigan can help you coordinate your investment, funds tracing, and immigration filings while you remain compliant with U.S. securities laws and ethical standards.

The EB-5 path generally begins with an I-526 petition and ends with conditional permanent residence for a two-year period for most direct investments or investments routed through a defined regional center. After meeting conditions, you may apply for removal of conditions (I-829) and, after five years of permanent residence, seek naturalization if you meet the usual residency and eligibility requirements.

Important note for Livonia residents: investment structure, source of funds documentation, and regional center versus direct investment considerations all require careful planning with an attorney who understands U.S. immigration law, tax implications, and Michigan business norms. The pathway is federally driven, but local counsel helps ensure local compliance and smoother coordination with Michigan authorities when forming entities or funding projects.

2. Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need legal counsel in several concrete scenarios related to the EB-5 investor path or related immigration matters. Below are real-world situations specific to Livonia and the Detroit metro area where actionable legal support can make a difference.

• You plan an EB-5 investment through a regional center and must assess the legitimacy and track record of the sponsor and project, including fraud risks and job-creation claims.
• Your funds originate from a complex mix of personal, business, or family assets and you require a compliant source-of-funds package for I-526 and future filings.
• You own a Michigan-based business and need to structure the investment to minimize tax exposure while satisfying EB-5 and securities requirements.
• You have a prior immigration history or a criminal issue that could affect eligibility for the EB-5 program, requiring targeted legal strategies and disclosure plans.
• You need to file or respond to a USCIS request for Evidence (RFE) or notice of intent to deny (NOID) related to I-526 or subsequent filings, with precise timelines and documentary needs.
• You seek naturalization after obtaining permanent residence, and you want to understand residency requirements in Michigan, presence, and successful timing for I-485/DS-11 or N-400 filings after conditional status.

3. Local Laws Overview

In Livonia, as in the rest of the United States, citizenship by investment is not a stand-alone local or state program. The substantive rules are federal, and Michigan law interacts mainly through business formation, tax, and employment regulations. The key legal framework for investment-based immigration is federal, including the EB-5 program and its implementing regulations.

Here are the primary federal authorities and regulations used in EB-5 matters, with names and notable scope:

• Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) - The governing statute for immigrant visa categories, including EB-5, codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1153(b). This is the foundational federal law that authorizes the EB-5 immigrant investor route.
• 8 C.F.R. Part 204 - Petitions for Immigrants and for Status. This part contains the EB-5 petition process and rules for investors and, where applicable, the regional center program. The specific EB-5 provisions live under 8 C.F.R. § 204.6.
• 8 C.F.R. § 204.6 - EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program - The regulatory cornerstone for investor petitions, eligibility criteria, and eligible investments (direct versus regional center). This rule governs how investments are structured and how job creation is measured for EB-5 eligibility.
• EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-103) - This statute reauthorized the regional center program and introduced integrity measures and reporting requirements to improve program oversight. It affects how regional centers operate and how funds are tracked and reported.
• Federal Register - EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization Final Rule (2019) - The government’s final rule implementing modernization of EB-5 regulations, including updates to investment thresholds and program integrity mechanisms. This rule provides the regulatory background for how the program operates today.

Recent changes have focused on strengthening oversight of regional centers, improving proof of lawful funds, and clarifying job-creation requirements. For Livonia residents, these changes mean that careful documentation and transparency with sponsors are crucial during the I-526 and subsequent filings. USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security publish ongoing guidance to reflect program updates.

USCIS notes that the EB-5 visa path offers conditional permanent residence following an eligible investment and job-creation plan, with eventual naturalization possible after meeting residency and other requirements.

Key official sources for these areas include USCIS and the implementing regulations. For the most current details, see the EB-5 pages and the eCFR regulatory text below.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program?

The EB-5 program offers a path to permanent residence for foreign investors who invest in a U.S. business and create or preserve jobs. It is administered by USCIS and not a state or local program. In Livonia, the process follows federal requirements with Michigan entity considerations.

How do I qualify for an EB-5 investment in Livonia?

Qualifying typically requires investing a minimum amount in a U.S. business and demonstrating that the investment will create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs. You may use a regional center to meet the job-creation requirement indirectly.

Do I need to form a Michigan company for an EB-5 project?

Not necessarily, but many investors structure funds through a Michigan-based entity or regional center project. An attorney can advise on the most compliant structure and cross-border fund flows.

What is the typical timeline for EB-5 processing?

Initial I-526 petition processing can take multiple months. If approved, you obtain conditional permanent residence within the following months, with a two-year conditional period before removal of conditions is filed. Final naturalization depends on meeting residency requirements and eligibility.

How much money is required for the EB-5 program?

The standard investment amount has historically been set at a high threshold, with a separate amount applicable to TEAs. Recent guidance emphasizes compliance and proper allocation of funds, but figures are subject to regulatory updates.

Do I need a specific TEA designation for my investment?

TEAs, or targeted employment areas, can affect the required investment amount. TEA designation is determined by expressions of unemployment or rural status in the investment area, often assessed by state or federal data.

What is the difference between direct EB-5 investments and regional center investments?

Direct investments place funds into a specific enterprise with direct job creation. Regional center investments may count indirect and induced jobs toward the requirement and can offer different timelines and structures.

Can I invest from outside the United States while living in Livonia?

Yes, many investors reside abroad and invest in U.S. projects. You will need a robust source-of-funds documentation and compliance with U.S. immigration and securities rules.

How much documentation is needed for proof of funds?

Expect to provide bank statements, tax returns, gift letters, business ownership documents, and third-party appraisals or audits. A carefully prepared packet reduces the risk of RFE or denial.

What is the difference between a lawyer and a solicitor for this work?

In the United States, the term most commonly used is attorney or lawyer. A solicitor title is rare in U.S. immigration work, but you may see firms use it for branding. The essential factor is qualifications and licensing as an attorney in Michigan or as a U.S.-licensed practitioner.

What happens if my I-526 is denied?

A denial typically ends the immediate EB-5 application, though you may have limited appeal options or refile under certain circumstances. An attorney can help evaluate the denial and advise on next steps or alternative paths.

5. Additional Resources

Rely on official government or authoritative resources when researching Citizenship by Investment in Livonia. The following organizations provide official information and guidance on the EB-5 process and related procedures:

• USCIS - EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program - Official government agency site with program details, requirements, and filing instructions. https://www.uscis.gov/eb-5
• 8 CFR Part 204 - EB-5 Regulations - The implementing regulations for the EB-5 program, including petition processes and regional center provisions. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-204
• Federal Register - EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization Final Rule - Official rule detailing program updates and regulatory changes. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/11/21/2019-25254/immigration-and-naturalization-service-immigrant-investor-program-immigrant-investor-program-final-rule
• SelectUSA - Official investment promotion program that provides context for foreign investment in the United States. https://www.selectusa.gov/

6. Next Steps

1. Define your goals and determine whether EB-5 is the appropriate path for you and your family based on residency plans and timelines. deadline estimates vary by project and petition type.
2. Consult a Livonia-based immigration attorney with EB-5 experience to review your assets, identify potential regional centers or direct investment options, and assess eligibility.
3. Gather source-of-funds documentation, including bank records, tax returns, employment verification, and any gift or loan documents. Prepare a consistent, credible narrative to satisfy USCIS standards.
4. Choose between a regional center project or direct investment structure after evaluating job-creation models and project risk. An attorney can help draft or review the business plan and job-creation methodology.
5. Obtain an initial retainer agreement and outline a concrete timeline for filing I-526, pursuing conditional residency, and planning for I-829 removal of conditions and potential naturalization steps.
6. File the I-526 petition with USCIS and monitor the processing timeline, responding to any Requests for Evidence promptly with a complete packet prepared by counsel.
7. Plan for the residency period and eventual naturalization by tracking physical presence, tax implications, and local Michigan residency requirements in parallel with immigration filings.