USCIS-APPROVED REGIONAL CENTER · COLOMBIA
EB-5 Program in Colombia: Your Path to a U.S. Green Card
The EB-5 program provides Colombian nationals and their eligible family members with a structured, reliable route to lawful permanent residency in the United States through a qualifying economic contribution. Allocating capital to an approved U.S. enterprise enables Colombian participants to secure Green Cards and build a permanent future in the U.S.
- TEA Capital Threshold $800,000 USD Standard (non-TEA): $1,050,000 USD
- Visa Availability Current No country backlog for applicants from Colombia
- Family Coverage Direct Green Card Spouse and unmarried children under 21
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EB-5 Visa Requirements for Colombian Citizens
Qualifying under the EB-5 program requires satisfying statutory criteria established by USCIS:
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Capital Thresholds
Fulfilling the required minimum contribution of $800,000 USD in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or Infrastructure Project ($1,050,000 USD in non-TEA areas).
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Job Creation
Verifying that the commercial project will create or preserve at least 10 permanent, full-time jobs for authorized U.S. workers.
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Lawful Source
Providing an unbroken audit trail proving the legitimate origin of all deployed capital.
Legal Nuances and Local Consular Agreements
Navigating local procedures ensures that approved petitions transition smoothly to visa issuance:
- Consular Processing: Immigrant visa processing, administrative clearances, and consular interviews are conducted at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá.
- Diplomatic Framework: While trade agreements between Colombia and the U.S. foster close commercial cooperation, applicants must satisfy standard EB-5 statutory mandates.
Specific Documentation Required in Colombia
Assembling a compliant evidentiary petition requires certified documentation from local Colombian authorities:
- Civil Records: Authenticated birth and marriage certificates issued by the Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil, with apostilles from the Cancillería (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
- Property & Business Records: Property title certificates (Certificados de Tradición y Libertad), commercial registry filings from the local Cámara de Comercio, and public deeds (escrituras públicas).
- Certified Translations: Official English translations prepared by certified translators for all Spanish-language filings.
EB-5 Processing Times and Visa Availability from Colombia
Understanding adjudication timelines and visa bulletin allocations allows for realistic relocation planning.
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Form I-526E Adjudication Timeline
Form I-526E is the initial filing evaluated by USCIS to confirm the legitimacy of the allocated capital and the commercial project:
- Review Durations: Processing times vary depending on agency workloads, but projects in rural TEAs offer statutory priority processing that can accelerate approvals.
- Preparation Quality: Submitting an organized, detailed petition minimizes requests for evidence (RFEs) and administrative delays.
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Current Visa Status and Backlogs for Colombian Citizens
Visa availability is highly favorable for Colombian nationals:
- "Current" Allocation: Colombia maintains an unburdened "Current" status in the EB-5 category, meaning there are no multi-year retrogression delays.
- Immediate Availability: Upon Form I-526E approval, immigrant visa numbers are immediately accessible for the applicant, spouse, and unmarried children under 21.
Source of Funds and Capital Transfers from Colombia
Proving the lawful origin of deployed assets is essential for satisfying USCIS evidentiary requirements.
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Justifying Local Wealth for USCIS Compliance
Colombian participants must document the complete historical accumulation of their assets, showing funds were lawfully earned through:
- Corporate dividends, audited business earnings, and executive compensation.
- Real estate liquidations, commercial leases, and capital appreciation gains.
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Tax Filings and Certifications with DIAN
Financial transparency is validated through records issued by the Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (DIAN):
- Income Tax Returns: Personal income and wealth tax returns (Declaración de Renta y Complementarios) covering at least the previous five fiscal years.
- Corporate Financials: Audited balance sheets and company tax declarations showing declared dividend payments.
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Regulations by Banco de la República for Outward Remittances to the U.S.
Moving capital out of Colombia requires strict compliance with foreign exchange controls:
- Exchange Declarations: Remittances must comply with regulations set by the Banco de la República, requiring formal exchange declarations (Declaración de Cambio).
- Authorized Intermediaries: Outward transfers must be routed through authorized commercial banks, ensuring direct delivery into the U.S. project's escrow account.
Profile of a Typical Colombian EB-5 Participant
Typical participants are entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and family office leaders from major hubs like Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Barranquilla.
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Primary Motivations for Family Relocation
Colombian families engage with the program based on clear long-term priorities:
- Elite Education: Securing in-state tuition rates and unrestricted post-graduation employment authorization for children at leading U.S. universities.
- Permanent Family Security: Establishing a lawful home base in safe communities without the renewal burdens of temporary non-immigrant visas.
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The Local Economic Context Driving Participation
Domestic fiscal realignments and currency fluctuations encourage affluent families to diversify internationally:
- Dollar-Denominated Protection: Deploying funds into U.S. enterprises hedges against local currency (COP) volatility.
- Generational Preservation: Securing a Green Card provides a dependable, legally protected pathway to safeguard family wealth and stability
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 Colombia?
$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 Colombia?
Assembling a compliant evidentiary petition requires certified documentation from local Colombian authorities: Civil Records; Property & Business Records; Certified Translations.
Is there a visa waiting list for citizens of Colombia?
Visa availability is highly favorable for Colombian nationals: "Current" Allocation; Immediate Availability.
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 Colombia
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.