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The United States does not have a formal "citizenship by investment" program that grants immediate citizenship in exchange for money or property. What is commonly referred to as citizenship by investment in the U.S. context is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. EB-5 allows qualifying foreign nationals to obtain conditional lawful permanent residence by making a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. After meeting EB-5 requirements and maintaining permanent resident status for the required period, an investor may pursue naturalization and U.S. citizenship under standard immigration rules.
When people refer to doing this from Wheaton, they mean living, investing, or starting a qualifying business in the Wheaton or DuPage County area while using federal immigration pathways. Immigration and naturalization are governed by federal law, while local and state rules in Wheaton and Illinois can affect business setup, real estate transactions, local permits, and taxes.
Immigration and investment pathways are complex and technical. A lawyer can help in many common situations, including:
- Evaluating eligibility for EB-5 or other investor-related visas and explaining alternatives such as E-2 treaty investor visas or employment-based options.
- Structuring an investment to meet EB-5 job-creation and enterprise requirements while complying with securities and business laws.
- Documenting and tracing the lawful source of investment funds, which often requires assembling years of financial, corporate and tax records.
- Preparing and filing petitions and supporting evidence with USCIS, responding to Requests for Evidence, and handling interviews or denials.
- Advising on state and local requirements in Wheaton and Illinois for business registration, licensing, zoning, and real estate transactions.
- Coordinating related matters such as tax planning, estate planning, and compliance with U.S. securities and labor laws.
- Representing family members seeking derivative status and helping with later steps - removal of conditions, adjustment of status, and naturalization.
Key points about the interplay of federal immigration law with local Wheaton and Illinois rules:
- Federal supremacy on immigration: Substantive immigration law and petitions are handled by federal agencies, principally U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Local government cannot grant immigration status.
- Business and real estate laws: If you invest in a business or buy property in Wheaton, you must follow Illinois and Wheaton rules on business formation, zoning, building permits, health and safety, contractor licensing, and property transfer reporting.
- Taxes: Permanent residents and U.S. citizens generally have U.S. tax reporting obligations on worldwide income. Illinois has state income taxes and Wheaton property taxes and local business tax obligations. Tax planning should be done with a licensed tax professional.
- Employment and labor: EB-5 investments must create qualifying full-time U.S. jobs that meet federal labor rules. Local employment rules and reporting requirements may also apply to businesses operating in Wheaton.
- Local records and identity: Documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates and property records are managed at state or county level. DuPage County offices and the Illinois Secretary of State handle many of these matters for Wheaton residents.
No. The United States does not offer direct citizenship by investment. The closest option is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which can lead to conditional permanent residence and, after meeting residency and other naturalization requirements, possible citizenship under the standard process.
No. Purchasing real estate in Wheaton or elsewhere in the United States does not by itself grant immigration status, permanent residence or citizenship. Investment in a qualifying commercial enterprise through the EB-5 program may be an eligible route, but residential property purchases do not qualify.
EB-5 requires an investor to make a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. Successful investors and qualifying family members may receive conditional permanent resident status, later apply to remove conditions, and ultimately seek naturalization after meeting residency and other requirements. Program rules, investment thresholds and processing timelines can change, so current government guidance should be consulted.
Minimum investment amounts have changed over time and may be adjusted by regulation. Historically there has been a higher general minimum and a lower minimum for investments in targeted employment areas or qualifying regional center projects. Because thresholds can change, you should check current USCIS guidance and consult an immigration lawyer for precise figures.
Yes. Regional centers are private entities designated by USCIS that pool EB-5 capital into projects intended to create jobs indirectly or directly. Investing through a reputable regional center is a common approach, but it requires careful due diligence on the center, the project economics, and compliance history. A lawyer can assist with that review.
Common proofs include tax returns, bank statements, sale or transfer documents for businesses or property, corporate records showing distributions, loan documents when a lawful loan is used, and notarized affidavits and translations if needed. USCIS expects a clear paper trail tracing the funds from their origin to the EB-5 investment. Gathering these records can be complex.
Processing times vary based on USCIS workloads, whether you file through a regional center or as a direct investment, and the visa availability for your country of birth. Some parts of the process can take months, others years if there is a visa backlog for your country. An experienced lawyer can provide a case-by-case estimate based on current data.
Yes. A principal investor's spouse and unmarried children under 21 are typically eligible to receive derivative conditional permanent resident status and follow the principal's path toward removal of conditions and naturalization eligibility.
Often yes. Immigration lawyers focus on EB-5 and related petition matters. Local business, real estate and tax lawyers or certified public accountants can advise on Illinois and Wheaton-specific legal, tax and regulatory compliance. Coordinating among specialists provides better protection for both immigration and local business interests.
Perform thorough due diligence. Work with experienced immigration counsel and local counsel, review offering documents, financial models, escrow arrangements, regional center history and independent audits. Verify credentials of promoters and check whether the project has stable, transparent accounting and job-creation methodology. Be cautious of high-pressure sales tactics and guarantees of fast citizenship.
Below are government bodies and organizations that are useful when researching investor-based immigration and local compliance:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - EB-5 information and forms
- U.S. Department of State - Visa Bulletin and consular processing information
- U.S. Department of Labor - Employment and wage regulations
- Illinois Secretary of State - business registration and filings
- DuPage County Recorder and County Clerk - property and vital records
- City of Wheaton - local business licenses, zoning and permitting
- American Immigration Lawyers Association - professional immigration lawyers directory and resources
- Illinois State Bar Association and DuPage County Bar Association - local attorney referral services
- Internal Revenue Service and Illinois Department of Revenue - federal and state tax obligations
- Better Business Bureau and other nonprofit due diligence groups - background on developers and regional centers
If you are considering an investor-based path to lawful permanent residence or eventual citizenship and you live in or plan to invest in Wheaton, consider the following practical next steps:
- Gather preliminary documents: passports, bank statements, business records, tax returns, property deeds and sale agreements. Early collection speeds evaluation of source-of-funds requirements.
- Schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer who has handled EB-5 matters. Prepare a list of questions about eligibility, investment structuring, timelines and fees.
- If you plan to invest in a local Wheaton business or real estate, consult local counsel about business formation, zoning, licensing, and tax implications in Illinois and DuPage County.
- Perform due diligence on any EB-5 regional center or project. Ask your lawyer to review offering documents, economic reports, escrow terms and historical track records.
- Understand fee structures and get an engagement letter that outlines services, costs and responsibilities. Avoid arrangements that sound too good to be true or promise guaranteed results.
- Coordinate with a tax advisor early to understand U.S. and Illinois tax consequences of your investment and residency choices.
- Keep copies of all transactions, translations, and certified documents. USCIS and consular offices require thorough documentation when assessing petitions.
Finally, remember this guide is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed immigration attorney to evaluate your specific situation and to obtain advice tailored to your needs.
