Headman Law Group represents Investment Immigration clients in Chicago — serving the Midwest's research and business hubs. U.S. immigration law is federal, so we guide Chicago-area clients through the same proven process we use nationwide — most steps handled by video and secure document exchange, with no need to visit an office.
What Is Investment Immigration?
Investment immigration rewards people who create or fund businesses in the United States with the ability to live and work here. Rather than relying on an employer or a family member, the investor's own capital and the jobs it supports form the basis of the immigration benefit.
There are two principal paths. The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program leads directly to a green card for investors who place the required capital into a new commercial enterprise that creates at least ten U.S. jobs. The E-2 Treaty Investor visa is a renewable nonimmigrant option for nationals of countries that maintain a qualifying treaty with the United States.
Choosing between them depends on your nationality, how much you can invest, whether you want permanent residence or a flexible work visa, and how actively you intend to run the business. We model both routes against your goals before you commit any capital.
How We Help
Investment cases combine immigration law with business and source-of-funds diligence. We coordinate the whole picture.
- Comparing EB-5 and E-2 against your budget, nationality, and goals.
- Structuring a qualifying investment and job-creation plan.
- Documenting the lawful source and path of invested funds.
- Preparing I-526E or E-2 filings with a complete business record.
- Coordinating with regional centers and business counsel.
- Guiding conditional residents through removal of conditions (Form I-829).
EB-5 vs. E-2 at a Glance
The two routes serve different goals. The summaries below show who each fits best.
EB-5 — Immigrant Investor
A direct path to a green card. Requires investing $1,050,000 — or $800,000 in a targeted employment area — into a new commercial enterprise that creates at least ten full-time U.S. jobs. Open to nationals of any country. See our dedicated EB-5 page.
E-2 — Treaty Investor
A renewable nonimmigrant visa for nationals of treaty countries who make a substantial investment in a real, operating U.S. business they will develop and direct. No green card, but indefinitely renewable while the business operates. See our dedicated E-2 page.
Direct vs. Regional Center (EB-5)
EB-5 investors can fund their own enterprise directly or invest through a USCIS-designated regional center, which pools capital and counts indirect jobs. Each model carries different control, risk, and job-counting rules.
Source of Funds
Both routes require proving that invested capital was lawfully earned and traced from its origin to the business — often the most document-intensive part of the case.
How an Investment Case Moves
Timelines differ between EB-5 and E-2, but the strategic arc is similar.
Strategy & Structuring
We assess your nationality, capital, and goals, choose EB-5 or E-2, and structure the investment and job-creation plan accordingly.
Source-of-Funds Package
We assemble evidence tracing your capital from its lawful origin through to the U.S. enterprise — the backbone of both case types.
Petition or Visa Filing
For EB-5, we file Form I-526E and then pursue a conditional green card. For E-2, we prepare the consular application or change of status with a full business plan.
Maintain & Remove Conditions
EB-5 investors file Form I-829 to remove conditions after sustaining the investment and jobs. E-2 holders renew as the business continues to operate.
Common Supporting Documents
The exact set depends on the route, but investment cases generally draw on the following.
Investor
- Passport and nationality documents
- Detailed source-of-funds evidence
- Tax returns and financial statements
- Proof of transfer of capital to the enterprise
Business
- Business plan with job-creation projections
- Formation and ownership documents
- Leases, contracts, and operating records
- Regional center documents (for EB-5, if applicable)
Frequently Asked Questions
Investment Immigration help in Chicago?
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