Arizona is a prime location for global businesses, as evidenced by hundreds of international companies already in operation. The Arizona Commerce Authority’s international business services team is experienced in worldwide relocations and streamlined processes, and will serve as a central source of information and support.
The ACA also assists existing Arizona companies wanting to export goods to foreign markets, as well as companies seeking customers and sales partners. (See the Export Program page.)
Relocating to Arizona
Geographically ideal for companies wishing to expand into the United States, Arizona is strategically located in the southwest between California, Texas and Mexico, which are the world's eighth, tweflth and fifteenth largest economies. In addition, Arizona features excellent access to all 50 states and Mexico.
Several of the world’s most innovative and fastest-growing industries have already invested substantially in the state. These include companies focused on Aerospace and Defense, Technology and Information, Renewable Energy, Bioscience and Health Care, Optics and Photonics, Advanced Manufacturing, and Advanced Business Services.
EB-5 Investor Visa Program, Targeted Employment Areas (TEA) Certification
On October 6, 2009, Governor Janice K. Brewer delegated the authority to the Arizona Commerce Authority formerly known as the Arizona Department of Commerce to certify high unemployment areas that meet the qualifications for the Immigration Investor Program administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.
Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations section 204.6(e) defines a “high unemployment area” as one that is a particular geographic or political subdivision located within a metropolitan statistical area or within a city or town having a population of 20,000 or more within the state and has experienced an unemployment rate of at least 150% of the national average. The national average unemployment rate for 2014, as calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, was 6.2%.
The ACA is certifying high unemployment areas or Targeted Employment Areas (TEA) that qualify under the standards set by USCIS. This certification lowers the minimum investment to $500,000.00 with an employment creation of 10 jobs and allows for multiple investors.
If you are a company who may qualify, please submit a business plan or a brief description of the project along with the address of such project to [email protected] for evaluation.
For more information, please contact Kevin O'Shea, at 602-845-1217 or via email: [email protected]