Private Client U.S.
Immigration Guide

Private client immigration matters vary widely in complexity, scope, and regulatory requirements. Fees reflect not only the visa category but also the strategic planning, documentation, and compliance oversight involved. Ganey Law Group provides concierge-level representation across investor, executive, and extraordinary-ability categories, including EB-5, L-1A, and O-1 petitions. Each engagement is customized to the client’s objectives, asset structure, and family profile.

Our work emphasizes precision, efficiency, and discretion thus ensuring that every stage of the process, from petition to permanent residence, is handled with the rigor expected by high-net-worth families and their advisors. For a personalized overview of professional fees, clients are encouraged to schedule a consultation.

The EB-5 immigrant investor visa is a direct path to U.S. permanent residency (green card) requiring a qualifying investment of $800,000 to $1,050,000 in a job-creating enterprise. It offers full immigration benefits but demands significant capital and has multi-year processing times. The L-1A intracompany transfer visa is a temporary (non-immigrant) work visa allowing executives to establish or manage U.S. operations of their international company. While L-1A requires no investment threshold, it demands an active executive role and existing foreign business operations. Many private client immigration strategies use L-1A for immediate U.S. presence while simultaneously pursuing EB-5 for permanent residency; a dual-track approach common among immigration lawyers for wealthy individuals.

While wealth alone does not accelerate USCIS processing times, ultra high net worth individuals can access faster pathways through strategic planning. Premium processing, available for certain visa categories, reduces timelines from several months to about 15 days for an additional fee. The EB-5 Regional Center program, when structured correctly, can provide conditional green cards within 8 to 12 months.

UHNW clients benefit from concierge-level immigration services that deliver precise documentation, proactive case management, and immediate responses to government requests, minimizing delays and avoiding common obstacles. Working with immigration attorneys experienced in high net worth planning, and who understand trusts, global tax rules, and cross-border wealth structures, ensures that the immigration process aligns efficiently with broader estate and tax objectives.

Families prioritizing American education for their children have several private client immigration pathways. The EB-5 visa allows children under 21 to obtain green cards, providing unrestricted access to public and private schools plus in-state tuition at universities. The L-1A visa permits dependent children to attend school and, in some cases, work. E-2 treaty investor visas similarly allow family education access while parents manage U.S. business operations. For families with longer timelines, F-1 student visas for children can be paired with parental B-1/B-2 visitor status, though this requires ongoing visa renewals. Immigration for ultra high net worth individuals often centers on education planning, making early consultation with private wealth immigration specialists essential.

The Gold Card, established by executive order in September 2025, creates a direct pathway to U.S. lawful permanent residence for individuals making a defined contribution to the Department of Commerce. Applicants qualify through the EB-1 or EB-2 immigrant visa categories, gaining an expedited route to a green card with full U.S. residency rights. While the Gold Card removes the business-formation and job-creation requirements of traditional investor visas, it carries the same U.S. tax obligations as any permanent resident. It is intended for accomplished individuals who prioritize speed, certainty, and legal residency over tax optimization.

The Platinum Card is a companion initiative designed to attract sovereign, institutional, and corporate capital. It offers a limited or renewable U.S. residence option without triggering worldwide taxation. Within Washington, the program is viewed as an instrument of economic diplomacy; among investors, it represents a potential bridge between mobility and capital strategy. For qualified clients, it provides a flexible alternative to full residency while maintaining international tax efficiency.