Thinking about immigrating to the US? You have more options than you may think.

Depending on your goals, there are a number of ways available for people looking to immigrate to the US. Among the many possibilities that are frequently successful are investment-based opportunities, employment-related prospects or family-based options. A few of the many visas available in these categories are:

Investment

The E2 Visa, also known as the Temporary Investor Visa, allows nationals from certain countries to receive a 2-year visa that can be indefinitely renewed. In order to obtain the E-2 classification the petition must have a good business plan and the ability to show where the funds are coming from. Investment amounts can be as little as $50,000, but the amount of funding must match the criteria laid out in the submitted business plan. Spouses may receive work authorization under this program.The EB-5 Visa, also known as the Permanent Investor Visa, allows foreign nationals to apply for a permanent residency, or a green card, if they make a minimum investment in the US that creates ten (10) permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers. Minimum investment amounts are $500,000 in “Troubled Economic Areas” (TEA) and $1,000,000 in areas that do not have the TEA designation.

Employment

The EB-2 Visa is for those who are members of professions holding an advanced degree or its equivalent, or a foreign national who has exceptional ability in his or her professional or academic field. If one has an advanced degree, they must provide proper documentation and letters from employees showing at least 5 years of post-baccalaureate work. An employment offer is required unless there is a National Interest Waiver. The EB-3 Visa is for those who qualify as a skilled worker, professional, or other worker. The “other workers” subcategory is for persons performing unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years training or experience, not of a temporary or seasonal nature. Certain professions such as nurses and physical therapists can bypass the labor certification process that other occupations require. An employment offer is required for this visa.

Family Based

There are 2 types of family based immigrant Visas: Immediate relative, which is unlimited, and family preference, which is limited. The immediate relative visas are based on a close family relationship (spouse, unmarried children under 21, parents) with a U.S. citizen and the number of immigrants is not limited each fiscal year.

The family preference visas are for specific, more distant, relationships with a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident and there are fiscal year limitations on the number of immigrants by preference category and country of origin.

The Hardship Waiver applies to those who claim extreme hardship to their US Citizen relatives if they are denied entry or deported from the U.S. This is often applied when a parent of a US citizen child does not have legal status in the US and is facing deportation proceedings or is trying to enter the US.

While these are just a few examples of opportunities that may be available to you, your decisions will be based on your particular circumstances, as no two cases are identical. You should consult a qualified immigration attorney that can help guide you through all of your available options so you can make the right decision for you and your family.

*Written by Murtaz Navsariwala: Immigration and Business Attorney with The Murtaz Law Group