FAQ

When can I expect to receive a response to my communication from BLS International?
BLS International responds to all inquiries that are not addressed by our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page within one (1) business day. Business days in UAE are Sunday to Thursday, 09:00am to 18:00pm and in Canada are Monday to Friday 9:00am to 17:00pm, Eastern time. Please contact our office if your inquiry does not appear on our FAQ page.

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Canada

Will any further payments be required?
Whether you select to deposit CDN $800,000 or whether you opt for the financing option, there are no further amounts that will be payable by you to the Immigrant Investor Programs.

If I use the full funding method, how do I know that my investment is secure?
In the case of the Quebec Program, the investment is guaranteed by a CDN $800,000 five-year Term Note payable to the order of the Investor. This note is issued by IQ Immigrants Investisseurs inc., a subsidiary of Investissement Québec, an agency of the Quebec government. The note is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Government of Quebec.

In the case of the Government of Canada Program, the investment is guaranteed by a 5 year Non-Transferable Zero Interest Promissory Note. This note is fully and unconditionally guaranteed.

If I select the financing option, am I personally liable for the financing loan?
No. All financing loans to immigrant investors are made on the basis that the financing bank shall have no legal recourse against the immigrant investor in repayment of the loan. The Financing Bank assumes all risk as to the loan – which, because the funds are ultimately secured by a Government obligation, is not a risk.

How long does it take for the Selection Certificate and the Permanent Resident visa to be issued?
There is no standard time period for the issuance of either the Selection Certificate or the Permanent Resident Visa. The processing time by either the Quebec Immigration authorities or the Canadian immigration authorities can vary from 6 months to 24 months. This will depend on the volume of files being processed, as well as the completeness of the required documentation submitted with the Applicant’s immigration application.

Is my family included in my application for a Selection Certificate?
The application for a Quebec Selection Certificate and the application for Canadian Permanent Residence includes the immigrant investor applicant, his or her legal spouse and any dependent children of the applicant or the spouse under 22 years old. Unmarried children 22 years of age or older may be included if they have been consistently enrolled in full-time studies since attaining the age of 22 years old, and if they are entirely in the financial care of their parents.

What is “permanent residence” in Canada?
Obtaining “permanent residence” or “permanent resident status” in Canada is also known as “immigrating to Canada” or becoming a “landed immigrant.”

The successful end result of the immigration process is the issuance of an immigrant visa.

Persons to whom an immigrant visa has been issued then present themselves to an Immigration Officer at one of Canada’s official ports of entry in order to become landed immigrants.

What benefits do I have if I am a permanent resident of Canada?
Canadian permanent residents/landed immigrants and citizens enjoy all of the same rights and privileges, such as health care, elementary and secondary education, with three exceptions:

• Permanent residents cannot vote;
• Permanent residents cannot hold a Canadian passport, as this document is issued only upon final completion of Canadian Citizenship
• Permanent residents can be deported for certain criminal convictions.

Once I am a permanent resident of Canada, do I have to stay in Canada?
Within any five 5 year period, a permanent resident must be:

• physically present in Canada for at least 730 days - 2 years in that 5 year period
• or outside of Canada, accompanying a Canadian citizen, who is his or her spouse or common-law partner or a child accompanying a parent
• or outside of Canada, employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business
• or an accompanying spouse, common-law partner or child of a permanent resident, who is outside Canada and is employed as a full-time basis by a Canadian business.

Do I have to live in Québec?
Investors in our program will receive a Permanent Resident Visa from the Government of Canada. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, part of the Constitution of Canada (which has precedence over other Canadian laws), guarantees mobility rights, or free movement within Canada: “Every citizen of Canada and every person who has the status of a permanent resident of Canada has the right a) to move to and take up residence in any province; and b) to pursue the gaining of a livelihood in any province.”

What are the steps leading to citizenship?
Under the Program, you may receive an unconditional Canadian Visa.

Once your Canadian Visa application is approved, you and your family will be entitled to:

• Permanent Residence status upon entering Canada;
• The right to work and travel anywhere in Canada;
• The right to enter and leave Canada freely;
• The privilege of applying for full Canadian Citizenship three years following your permanent landing in Canada.

What is the difference between the Immigrant Investor Program vs. the Entrepreneur Program?
The Immigrant Investor Program differs significantly from the Entrepreneur Program, another Canadian immigration option.

The Entrepreneur Program may be suitable for individuals who have the necessary expertise and the willingness to invest in a start-up business. Many potential immigrants do not chose this program because of risks inherent in start-ups, or because they do not yet have firsthand experience in running a Canadian business.

The Immigrant Investor Program avoids these concerns, and allows applicants to make passive arms length investments (under government financial guarantee), while they establish themselves and research the Canadian business environment.

USA

FAQ (EB5)

When and for whom was the EB-5 visa program created?
The EB-5 visa program was founded in 1990 under section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The program was created by the U.S. Citizenship and Investment Services (USCIS) for qualified non-US citizens seeking permanent resident status on the basis of their investments in the American economy.

How many EB-5 visas may be issued per year?
There are 10,000 EB-5 visas available to qualified aliens each year. 5,000 of these visas are designated for aliens who invest through a program at a USCIS-designated Regional Center.

How does the EB-5 visa differ from an L-1 visa (manager transfer)?
With an EB-5 visa, you obtain a green card for permanent residence in the United States. After 5 years, the investors and their family may obtain US citizenship, subject to meeting all immigration requirements. Other visas, such as the L-1, may never result in permanent residence, have time limits, have to be renewed, and require additional filings with the USCIS or Department of State.

Who may obtain an EB-5 visa?
Any person who can demonstrate the ability to invest the required amount into the American economy, can document that the capital was legally earned, and satisfies general eligibility requirements (e.g., medical, criminal) is qualified to apply. The investor's spouse and any minor children (under 21) also qualify. The age of the minor children is "frozen" at the time of the application so, for example, a 20-year old dependent is not in danger of "aging out" during the process.

1. What is the minimum investment required?
   An investment of at least $1,000,000.00 is required for an EB-5 visa. If the investment is made in an area that has been designated a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), the investment is a minimum of $500,000.00.
   
   Will my investment in a Regional Center be returned if my application is denied by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)?
   Yes. The CGAP Regional Center has created an escrow account in which your investment is frozen until your application is approved by the USCIS. In the event that your application is denied, your investment will be returned to you in full minus administrative expenses.
   
   For how long is the "green card" valid?
   The investor and dependents receive a conditional, 2-year green card. Before the expiration of the two year period, a petition is submitted to the USCIS confirming that the investment has been made and that ten jobs have been created as a result of the investment.
   
   If I or a member of my family is already in the U.S. on another visa, is it necessary to return to my home country in order to obtain an EB-5 visa or permanent residence?
   No. In order to obtain permanent residence in the U.S. under the EB-5 program, you do not need to return to the country of your citizenship. You and the members of your family may apply to adjust status while in the United States.
   
   How long does the application process take?
   In general, the process takes less than one year. After the petition is approved, it is forwarded to the overseas consulate or local USCIS for further processing and final visa issuance/permanent residency approval.
   
   Is it required that I have a degree of higher education?
   No. There are no education requirements for EB-5 visa applicants.
   
    
2. Must I have previous business experience?
   No, it is not required that an applicant have previous business experience.
   
   What if I do not speak English?
   It is not required that an applicant speak English.
   
   Is it required to show that I am in good health?
   Yes. You must prove that you and any accompanying family members are in good physical and mental health, and do not have any diseases or disorders that may present a threat to society.
   
   Do I need to have earned the money for the investment myself?
   No. For example, the money can be a gift. The only requirement would be to show that the gifted money was legally earned, and that taxes (if applicable) were paid on the gift. Another example would be using the proceeds of the sale of real estate to fund the investment.
   
   May I apply for an EB-5 visa if I have previously been denied a visa to the U.S.?
   If you have been previously denied a visa to the U.S., you may still apply for an EB-5 visa.
   
   Can qualified individuals from any country apply or are there restrictions based on citizenship?
   With the exception of individuals from countries with which the U.S. does not hold diplomatic relations, citizens of any country may apply for permanent residence in the U.S. through the EB-5 investment program. As long as the applicant is able to leave his home country and has sufficient investment capital, a qualified immigration lawyer can assist the applicant with the process of obtaining an EB-5 visa.
   
   What is the most common reason for rejection of an EB-5 visa application?
   In most cases when an EB-5 visa application is rejected, the applicant failed to demonstrate that he/she had legally earned his investment capital.
   
   What are Regional Centers?
   Regional Centers are entities, organizations, or agencies that focus on a specific geographic area within the United States in order to promote economic growth within that area. Regional Centers work to increase export sales, improve regional productivity, create new jobs, and increase domestic capital investment. Regional Centers are designated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
   
   What are the benefits of investing in Regional Center projects?
• Investing in an approved project satisfies all the requirements for the EB-5 visa program. The investor does not have to worry about presenting a business plan for approval from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• It is easier to satisfy the job creation requirements in a Regional Center, which is important to ensure that the condition is removed after the two-year period. Regional Centers are permitted to count both jobs that were created as a direct result of the investment (e.g., construction job), and as an indirect result (e.g., suppliers of materials for the construction job).
• The investor is not required to take an everyday role in the management of his investment.
• The investor has the opportunity to work together with other investors on a project.
• The investor may live and work anywhere in the United States; he or she is not obliged to live in the area where the investment is.

What are the financial risks involved with the Regional Center investment projects?
All investments are risky by nature and the Regional Center projects are not exceptions. Under the law, the Regional Center cannot guarantee profit or the return of the principal investment.