Colombia golden visa lawyer
For Colombian investors seeking permanent residency in the United States through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. provides US-licensed legal guidance. Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and managing attorney, is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and leads the firm’s US immigration practice. The firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel for Colombia matters, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombia-law matters and liaison with the firm’s US-admitted attorneys.
What the US EB-5 “golden visa” offers Colombian investors
The EB-5 program grants lawful permanent resident status (a green card) to foreign nationals who invest in a new commercial enterprise that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers. The minimum investment amount is set by USCIS regulation and varies by location; as of 2026, the standard minimum is $1,050,000, or $800,000 if the investment is in a targeted employment area (TEA). The investor, spouse, and unmarried children under 21 may all obtain conditional permanent residence for two years, after which conditions can be removed if the investment and job creation requirements are sustained.
Colombian nationals often use the EB-5 route to secure US residency without employer sponsorship. The program requires a lawful source of funds, which must be documented to USCIS’s satisfaction. Our firm assists with the preparation of the Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor, and the subsequent Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status. Because the source-of-funds analysis may involve Colombian financial records, we work with Mr. Duport Jaramillo to ensure that Colombian-law aspects are properly addressed while Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys handle all US immigration law matters.
How Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel network handle EB-5 matters for Colombian clients
Mr. Sris, as the responsible US attorney, manages the entire US immigration process—from initial eligibility assessment through I-526 adjudication and, if applicable, consular processing at the US Embassy in Bogotá. He is supported by the firm’s Of Counsel network, which includes Eric Duport Jaramillo, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s role is limited to Colombia-law matters, such as verifying the validity of Colombian corporate documents, assisting with the authentication of financial records, and serving as a liaison for Spanish-speaking clients. All US legal advice and representation before USCIS and the Department of State is provided exclusively by Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys.
The firm’s approach is collaborative but jurisdictionally separated: US-law work stays with US-licensed counsel; Colombia-law work stays with Colombia-licensed counsel. This structure protects clients from unauthorized practice of law risks and ensures that each component of the case is handled by an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. For EB-5 investors, this means that the I-526 petition, the business plan review, the job-creation analysis, and the consular interview preparation are all managed by Mr. Sris, while Mr. Duport Jaramillo may assist with the Colombian-side documentation and client communication in Spanish.
About Mr. Sris and the sriscounsel Of Counsel network
Mr. Sris founded Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. in 1997. He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and has extensive experience in US immigration law, including EB-5 investor petitions. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience across US and foreign jurisdictions. The firm’s Of Counsel network includes Eric Duport Jaramillo, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar; his practice with the firm is limited to matters of Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients with US-licensed attorneys. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have documented experience across multiple cross-border practice areas since 1997. Results may vary; prior outcomes do not guarantee a similar result.
Frequently asked questions about the US EB-5 visa for Colombians
What is the minimum investment for a US EB-5 visa?
The minimum investment is $1,050,000, or $800,000 if the project is in a targeted employment area (TEA). A TEA is a rural area or an area with high unemployment. The investment must be at risk and must create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers. The specific amount is set by USCIS and may change; always verify current thresholds at uscis.gov/eb-5.
Can a Colombian citizen apply for EB-5 while living in Colombia?
Yes, a Colombian national may file an I-526 petition from abroad and then attend an immigrant visa interview at the US Embassy in Bogotá. If the petition is approved and a visa number is available, the investor and qualifying family members receive immigrant visas and enter the US as conditional permanent residents. Alternatively, if the investor is already in the US in lawful nonimmigrant status, they may be able to adjust status through USCIS.
What documents are needed to prove the lawful source of funds?
USCIS requires evidence that the investment capital was obtained through lawful means. Typical documents include tax returns, bank statements, business records, property sale contracts, gift letters, and inheritance documents. For Colombian investors, this often involves Colombian financial records, which may need to be translated and authenticated. Mr. Duport Jaramillo, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar, can assist with the Colombian-law aspects of document gathering and verification, while Mr. Sris handles the US immigration submission.
How long does the EB-5 process take for a Colombian investor?
Processing times vary by USCIS workload and the specific case. I-526 adjudication can take several months to over a year. After approval, consular processing at the US Embassy in Bogotá adds additional time. The conditional residence period is two years, after which the I-829 petition to remove conditions must be filed. For current processing estimates, consult the USCIS processing times page.
Does the firm help with the Colombian side of the investment?
The firm’s US-admitted attorneys do not practice Colombian law, but the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel for Colombia matters. Mr. Duport Jaramillo is admitted to practice law in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. He can advise on Colombian corporate structures, tax implications, and the validity of Colombian-source documents. All US immigration legal work remains with Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-licensed attorneys.
What is the difference between EB-5 and an E-2 treaty investor visa?
The EB-5 leads to permanent residence (a green card), while the E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa for nationals of treaty countries who invest a substantial amount in a US business. Colombia is not an E-2 treaty country, so Colombian nationals generally cannot obtain an E-2 visa. The EB-5 is the primary investment-based path to US permanent residency for Colombian investors. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Can my family get green cards through my EB-5 investment?
Yes, the investor’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 may obtain conditional permanent residence as derivatives of the principal EB-5 investor. Each family member must be listed on the I-526 petition and, if abroad, attend the immigrant visa interview. After two years of conditional residence, the family files I-829 petitions together to remove conditions, provided the investment and job creation requirements are met.
What happens if my I-526 petition is denied?
If USCIS denies the I-526, the investor may have options to appeal or refile, depending on the reason for denial. Common reasons include insufficient evidence of lawful source of funds or failure to demonstrate that the investment will create the required jobs. Results may vary; prior outcomes do not guarantee a similar result.
Do I need a US business plan for my EB-5 application?
Yes, a comprehensive business plan is a critical part of the I-526 petition. The plan must demonstrate that the new commercial enterprise will create at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers within two years of the investor’s admission as a conditional permanent resident. The plan should include market analysis, financial projections, and details of the business structure. The firm works with qualified business plan writers and economists to prepare a compliant submission.
How do I start the EB-5 process with your firm?
Contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation with Mr. Sris. During the consultation, we will discuss your investment goals, source of funds, and eligibility. If you decide to proceed, we will guide you through the document collection, business plan preparation, and I-526 filing. For Colombian-law questions, we will coordinate with Mr. Duport Jaramillo, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar, to ensure that all Colombian-side matters are properly addressed.