USCIS-APPROVED REGIONAL CENTER · CHILE
EB-5 Program in Chile: Your Path to a U.S. Green Card
The EB-5 program provides Chilean citizens and their immediate families with an established, direct route to lawful permanent residency in the United States through a qualifying economic contribution. By allocating capital to a job-creating U.S. commercial enterprise, Chilean program participants can secure Green Cards, unlocking long-term living, educational, and business opportunities across the country.
- TEA Capital Threshold $800,000 USD Standard (non-TEA): $1,050,000 USD
- Visa Availability Current No country backlog for applicants from Chile
- Family Coverage Direct Green Card Spouse and unmarried children under 21
Trusted by leaders our team has worked with · featured in Forbes, Bloomberg and international media.
EB-5 Visa Requirements for Chilean Citizens
Qualifying for an immigrant visa under the EB-5 program requires satisfying clear statutory benchmarks established by USCIS:
-
Targeted Capital Deployment
Fulfilling the statutory minimum threshold of $800,000 USD in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or Infrastructure Project ($1,050,000 USD in non-TEA regions).
-
Job Creation
Creating or preserving at least 10 permanent, full-time jobs for authorized U.S. workers.
-
Lawful Source
Providing an unbroken audit trail proving the legitimate origin and transparent transfer of all allocated capital.
Legal Nuances and Local Consular Agreements
While statutory regulations are set by federal immigration law, local consular procedures in Chile involve distinct aspects:
- Consular Processing: Immigrant visa processing, security reviews, and final consular interviews are managed by the U.S. Embassy in Santiago.
- Diplomatic Framework: Although Chile benefits from the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) and the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement, applicants must satisfy standard EB-5 requirements to secure permanent residency.
Specific Documentation Required in Chile
Building an unassailable evidentiary petition requires certified civil and financial records from Chilean authorities:
- Civil Registry Records: Birth and marriage certificates issued by the Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación, authenticated via the Hague Apostille.
- Property & Corporate Records: Property title certificates (Certificados de Dominio Vigente) issued by the Conservador de Bienes Raíces, notarized public deeds (escrituras públicas), and commercial registry records.
- Certified Translations: Official English translations prepared by certified translators for all Spanish-language filings.
EB-5 Processing Times and Visa Availability from Chile
Strategic timeline planning requires understanding petition adjudication benchmarks and annual visa quota allocations.
-
Form I-526E Adjudication Timeline
Form I-526E is evaluated by USCIS to confirm the legitimacy of the allocated capital and the commercial project:
- Adjudication Timelines: Processing speeds vary based on agency caseloads, but projects in rural TEAs offer statutory priority processing that can accelerate review times.
- Meticulous Preparation: Providing an organized, detailed petition minimizes administrative delays and prevents requests for additional evidence.
-
Current Visa Status and Backlogs for Chilean Citizens
Visa availability is highly advantageous for Chilean applicants:
- "Current" Allocation: The U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin consistently classifies the EB-5 category for Chilean nationals as "Current."
- No Retrogression: Chilean applicants face no visa backlog, allowing them to proceed directly to consular processing or file for adjustment of status upon Form I-526E approval.
Source of Funds and Capital Transfers from Chile
Proving the lawful origin of deployed assets is essential for satisfying USCIS evidentiary requirements.
-
Justifying Local Wealth for USCIS Compliance
Chilean participants must document the complete historical accumulation of their assets, showing funds were lawfully earned through:
- Executive compensation, corporate dividends, and audited business earnings.
- Real estate sales, commercial leases, or capital appreciation gains.
-
Tax Filings and Certifications with the SII
Financial transparency is validated through records issued by the Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII):
- Annual Tax Returns: Annual income tax returns (Formulario 22 de Renta) covering at least the previous five fiscal years.
- Corporate Financials: Audited corporate balance sheets and documentation confirming declared dividend payments.
-
Regulations by the Banco Central de Chile for Outward Remittances to the U.S.
Moving capital internationally requires compliance with Chilean foreign exchange regulations:
- Exchange Controls: Capital transfers must adhere to the Compendio de Normas de Cambios Internacionales (CNCI) governed by the Banco Central de Chile.
- Formal Exchange Market: Outward remittances must be routed through commercial entities within the Formal Exchange Market (Mercado Cambiario Formal), ensuring direct transfer into the U.S. escrow facility.
Profile of a Typical Chilean EB-5 Participant
Typical participants are seasoned entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and family office directors from Santiago, Concepción, and Valparaíso.
-
Primary Motivations for Family Relocation
Participation among Chilean families is driven by clear long-term goals:
- Educational Opportunities: Unlocking in-state tuition benefits and unrestricted post-graduation employment opportunities for children at top U.S. universities.
- Permanent Relocation: Gaining lawful permanent residency without the limitations and renewal requirements of non-immigrant visas.
-
The Local Economic Context Driving Participation
Domestic fiscal policy shifts and evolving market dynamics motivate affluent families to seek international diversification:
- Dollar-Backed Foothold: Committing capital to a U.S. enterprise provides a secure safeguard against local market volatility.
- Generational Security: Securing permanent residency delivers a legally protected route to long-term stability in the United States.
Where your capital goes
Every Open EB5 project sits in a USCIS-approved Targeted Employment Area, structured for compliance and job-creation strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum capital requirement for applicants from Chile?
$800,000 USD for projects in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or qualifying infrastructure project, and $1,050,000 USD for standard non-TEA projects.
What documents are required for applicants from Chile?
Building an unassailable evidentiary petition requires certified civil and financial records from Chilean authorities: Civil Registry Records; Property & Corporate Records; Certified Translations.
Is there a visa waiting list for citizens of Chile?
Visa availability is highly advantageous for Chilean applicants: "Current" Allocation; No Retrogression.
Does the EB-5 Green Card cover my family?
Yes. A single qualifying capital contribution covers the principal applicant, their spouse, and all unmarried children under 21 years of age.
Talk to an EB-5 specialist about Chile
Book a complimentary 30-minute discovery call. We assess your eligibility, review your source-of-funds structure, and walk you through qualifying TEA projects with independent U.S. immigration counsel.