Can I sell everything in Brazil and move to the US with the EB-5?

Yes, it is possible to sell assets in Brazil and use those proceeds to invest in the EB-5, but this is a decision that requires careful planning. The EB-5 grants residency to those who invest at-risk capital in an enterprise that creates jobs in the United States, and how the money leaves Brazil and reaches the investment matters a great deal.

A key point is that the EB-5 investment must be at-risk capital, genuinely committed to the business or project. It is also essential to document the lawful source of the funds, which makes the paper trail from the sale of your assets a critical part of the documentation.

Because this is an international transaction, several layers of rules come into play that must work together:

• The tax and foreign-exchange laws of both Brazil and the United States.
• The immigration regulations governing the EB-5.
• The planning of the currency conversion and transfer of funds.

Given how heavily regulated this process is, the safest path is to work with specialized professionals in immigration and international financial planning, and to confirm updated requirements with official sources such as USCIS before selling anything.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.