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In the United States, there is no government program that grants citizenship directly in exchange for a payment. Citizenship can be earned only through naturalization after meeting residency and other requirements. The closest pathway tied to investment is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which can lead to lawful permanent residency (a green card) for eligible investors and their families.
For residents of Poughkeepsie and the Hudson Valley, the EB-5 pathway typically involves investing in a U.S. business project and creating or preserving jobs for U.S. workers. The program is federal in scope and subject to federal statutes and regulations, not a local Poughkeepsie ordinance. A local attorney can help you understand how federal EB-5 rules apply to projects in Dutchess County and neighboring counties.
Recent reforms in the EB-5 program, including the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, updated investment thresholds and program structure. As of 2022-2024, the standard investment amount is about $1,050,000 and $800,000 for investments in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). These figures and rules are set by federal law and administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
USCIS - EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program provides official guidance on petitions, thresholds, and process steps. For the statutory framework, see Public Law 117-258, the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.
“The EB-5 program provides lawful permanent residence to eligible investors who create jobs and meet capital requirements.”
A local attorney can help you navigate complex federal requirements that affect EB-5 investments in the Poughkeepsie area. The following scenarios illustrate concrete situations where legal counsel is essential.
Citizenship by investment in Poughkeepsie is governed by federal law and federal regulations, with no separate Poughkeepsie or New York state program that grants citizenship by investment. The following statutes and regulations are central to EB-5 matters in this jurisdiction.
8 U.S.C. § 1153(b)(5) - Immigrant investor classification under the EB-5 program. This statute sets the framework for eligibility, investment thresholds, and the requirement to create jobs in the U.S. Cornell Legal Information Institute - 8 U.S.C. § 1153.
8 C.F.R. Part 204 - Regulations governing immigrant investor petitions, including I-526 filings and job-creation criteria. These regulations translate federal statute into actionable filing requirements. eCFR - 8 C.F.R. Part 204.
Public Law 117-258 (EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022) - This act reauthorizes and reforms the EB-5 program, including changes to investment thresholds, regional center operations, and program integrity measures. It took effect in late 2022 and affects how investors in New York and across the country participate in EB-5. GovInfo - Public Law 117-258.
Note the absence of a Poughkeepsie-specific citizenship by investment statute. New York residents pursue federal EB-5 pathways and related federal guidance. For ongoing updates, refer to official sources such as USCIS and the Department of State. USCIS - EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program • Travel.State.Gov - Immigrant Investor Visas.
The EB-5 program offers a path to lawful permanent residency for eligible investors. It is not a direct citizenship by investment program. After meeting residency requirements and other conditions, you may pursue naturalization like other permanent residents in the United States.
Direct investments require creating 10 direct full-time jobs. Regional centers allow counting indirect and induced jobs. Your choice affects documentation, risk, and timelines, and a lawyer can help decide the best route for a Hudson Valley project.
The standard amount is $1,050,000 and $800,000 when the investment is in a TEA as designated by state or local authorities. These thresholds were updated under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.
Processing times vary widely. I-526 petitions can take several years in some cases. After approval, you may apply for conditional residency, and I-829 processing to remove conditions typically occurs within 2 years of status, with subsequent naturalization eligibility after residency requirements are met.
You should provide bank and investment statements, tax returns, sale agreements, and gift or loan documentation. A lawyer coordinates these items to satisfy USCIS source-of-funds requirements.
You must demonstrate that the investment will create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. Job creation can be direct or indirect, depending on whether you invest directly or through a regional center.
Costs vary by project and firm. Expect professional fees for I-526 and I-829 filings, plus due diligence and document preparation. Discuss all fees and potential additional costs before engagement.
Direct investments count jobs created directly by your project. Regional center investments can count indirect and induced jobs and may offer more flexible capital aggregation and reporting requirements.
You can pursue EB-5 from outside the United States. You will typically obtain an immigrant visa through a U.S. consulate or adjust status if you are already in the U.S. The process is complex and timing varies.
No, citizenship by investment is not available. EB-5 provides a path to a green card, after which naturalization may be pursued if you meet residency and other legal requirements.
No; EB-5 is a federal program. New York may offer state tax considerations or incentives in some contexts, but there is no separate state citizenship by investment scheme.
A denial can stop your path to permanent residency. If job creation targets are not met, you may need to adjust your business plan or pursue alternate structuring with counsel to preserve your options.
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Each profile includes a description of the firm's areas of practice, client reviews, team members and partners, year of establishment, spoken languages, office locations, contact information, social media presence, and any published articles or resources. Most firms on our platform speak English and are experienced in both local and international legal matters.
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