The following are Visa options available for relocation to Wisconsin
E-2 This is the traditional most commonly used visa for any dollar amount being invested to purchase an existing dairy farm or starting a new dairy farm in Wisconsin. This is a temporary visa for 5 years. These can be renewed indefinitely until permanent citizenship is accomplished. Spouses and children under 21 are included.
EB-5 This is a relatively new federal program. Individual farmers can apply and receive conditional residence for 2 years. The initial investment has to be $1 million and have 10 employees (or in targeted distressed employment areas it is $500,000 and 5 employees). Permanent citizenship can be applied for after the 2 year conditional residence period provided the above criteria continue to be met.
EB-5 Regional Center The state of Wisconsin is working with the federal U.S. government to establish an EB-5 regional center in Wisconsin. This designation would allow for more assistance to those farmers applying for an EB-5 visa. In theory, this will streamline the process. Currently however, EB-5 applications through regional centers are not being processed any faster than individual EB-5 applications. Similar attorney fees are being seen also.
B-1 Under this visa, farmers are allowed to come to Wisconsin and purchase an existing dairy, invest in a dairy, or build a new dairy operation while continuing to live abroad. Typically, a farm manager is hired to run the day to day operations of the farm. B-1 allows the visa holder to make trips back and forth as periodically as desired to manage and oversee the dairy farm operation.
For more information or questions on this subject matter, contact Jim Cisler at 608-224-5137 or James.Cisler@wi.gov.
