EB5 Investors Magazine Volume 5, Issue 2 | Page 13

Surge in EB-5 Investors From Latin America Visa approvals from Latin America has doubled over the last year, driven by a fourfold increase of Brazilian investors, due to turmoil in the region and increased promotion from EB-5 professionals. By EB5 Investors Magazine Staff A lmost twice as many EB-5 visas were issued to Latin Americans in fiscal 2016 as in the previous year, according to the US Department of State, in a shift that experts say is due both to political and economic turmoil in the region and to an increased focus on promoting EB-5 projects to Latin Americans. In total, 412 new EB-5 visas were issued to Latin Americans during fiscal 2016, up from 207 the previous year. increase and more than any other country outside Asia. Venezuela, the perennial EB-5 powerhouse in Latin America, accounted for 109 visas, an increase of over 50 percent from fiscal year 2015. The increase was chiefly driven by Brazilian investors, who received 150 visas in 2016, a more than fourfold Well-off Brazilians and Venezuelans have been turning to the EB-5 program in higher numbers due to political and BRAZIL AND VENEZUELA TOP THE LIST EB5INVESTORS.COM 12