Two different routes
The E-2 treaty investor visa is temporary but renewable, and it requires nationality of a treaty country and active management of the business. It does not lead directly to a green card. Korea is among the countries whose nationals can use the E-2. The EB-5 program leads to permanent residence and is open to any nationality, but it usually calls for a larger investment tied to U.S. job creation and a period of conditional residence. Some people use the E-2 while planning for an EB-5 or another long-term route. The choice depends on your nationality, your plans for the business, and how much money you are prepared to place at risk.
Questions to answer before investing
Can you document the lawful source of your funds, and trace how they moved over time? Will you run the business yourself, or invest passively in a project? Is your family included, and are any children close to the age where they would no longer qualify? Is the investment structured in a way that keeps the money at risk without promises of return? These questions shape both the filing and the financial terms.
Due diligence and new programs
Investment programs attract promoters, and some offers overstate what an investment will do. Review offering documents and the developer's history with financial and legal advisors, not just immigration counsel. Tax planning for a move to the United States is a separate question worth raising early with a tax advisor, since becoming a resident can change how worldwide income is treated. New programs and proposals in this area have been announced in recent years, and it is important to confirm whether a program is set in law and how it is administered before committing money. We begin with your nationality, your goals, and your source of funds, and map the options from there. We do not evaluate investments as safe or promise immigration results.
