EB-5 Visa Investment Guide
The EB‑5 visa investment program offers foreign investors a pathway to U.S. residency by making a qualifying investment in a U.S.-based job-creating enterprise. Through an EB‑5 visa investment, investors typically invest $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1.05 million elsewhere, creating or preserving at least 10 jobs. Upon approval of the I-526E petition, investors and their immediate families can obtain conditional green cards, with the opportunity for permanent residency after meeting job creation and investment requirements. The program is particularly attractive for those seeking U.S. residency with minimal restrictions on age, education, or prior business experience.
Who is Eligible for the EB-5 Visa?
Key Requirements for EB‑5 Visa Investment
Invest a minimum of $800,000 in a TEA (high‑unemployment or rural) for your EB‑5 visa investment. What is a TEA? Learn More
Investment amount must create at least 10 jobs
Investment Funds must come from a lawful and legitimate source. Learn more about proving lawful source
Benefits of EB‑5 Visa Investment
An EB‑5 visa investment provides far‑reaching benefits, including:
EDUCATION: Easier access to the best schools in the US without restrictions faced by international students
TUITION SAVINGS: Access public K-12 education in the US for free, and enjoy greatly reduced in-State tuition for US State universities
BUSINESS: The opportunity to make an investment or start a business in the US with greater ease
INCREASED MOBILITY: Visa free access to 176 countries around the world
WORK AUTHORIZATION: The ability to reside and work freely in the US without needing the sponsorship of an employer
FAMILY: The chance to move closer to family that previously immigrated to the United States
SOCIAL WELFARE BENEFITS: Access retirement benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security
EB-5 Visa Investment Advantages
The EB-5 program is one of the most flexible immigration programs in the world. Enjoy the flexibility to live anywhere in the US with the EB-5 visa, ensuring you have the freedom to choose your desired location.
VALUE AND EFFICIENCY: Multiple family members, including the investors spouse and any children under the age of 21, can obtain US green cards with just one EB-5 visa investment of $800,000
GEOGRAPHIC FLEXIBILITY: EB-5 investors may live and work anywhere in the United States
PARTIAL PAYMENT FILINGS ALLOWED: USCIS allows for a partial EB-5 visa investment in order to lock in your priority date while preparing your remaining EB-5 funds. Learn More about EB-5 partial payment filings.
NO "IMMIGRATION PRISON": EB-5 investors don’t need to stay in the U.S. for a fixed amount of time as long as they spend time in the United States at least once every 6 months
FINANCIAL SAVINGS: EB-5 investors can save hundreds of thousands of dollars on university education for themselves and their children by accessing in-state tuition benefits.
WIDER ELIGIBILITY: No minimum requirements as to age, employment experience, or education
NO RELIANCE ON THIRD PARTIES: No sponsorship requirements from an employer or family members
MINIMAL PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS: A Regional Center EB-5 investment does not require active day-to-day management
EB-5 Application Process
Investor Chooses EB-5 Project (~1 month) - Sign investment documents
Prepare I-526E Application (~1-2 months - Engage immigration attorney; Prepare source of funds documents; Prepare personal background documents
I-526E Approval Process (~12 months) - Wire $800,000 investment and administrative fee to project escrow account; Submit the I-526E application to USCIS and (if applicable) I-485 adjustment of status if already in the United States; USCIS will issue case number and adjudicator will be assigned to your case
Wait for Interview at U.S. Consulate (~4 months) - if applying from outside the U.S., applicant will wait for an EB-5 visa interview at the nearest U.S. Consulate in their home country after I-526E approval (If already in the U.S., the applicant will adjust status to conditional permanent resident); After passing the interview, the EB-5 visa will be issued to the applicant and all included family members for entry to the U.S.
Conditional Residence Period (21 months) - Upon entering the U.S> on the EB-5 visa, the applicant will receive a conditional U.S. green card; After 21 months, applicant may submit the I-829 application to USCIS for the removal of conditions on their green card
I-829 Approval Process (~18 months) - During the I-829 approval process, the USCIS adjudicator will confirm that at least 10 jobs were created by the EB-5 investment; After approval of the I-829 application, applicant receives permanent U.S. green card.
Refund of EB-5 Investment (3-5 years from I-526E filing) - The EB-5 investor may receive a refund of their $800,000 at the end of the project loan term, regardless of their I-829 status.
"The key requirement of the EB-5 Program is that your $800,000 create at least 10 Jobs for US workers. However this requirement is greatly simplified by utilizing expenditure models that calculate indirect jobs created in real estate development projects through the EB-5 Regional Center program."
Top EB-5 Visa Investment FAQs
- What is an EB-5 Visa Investment?
An EB‑5 visa investment is a qualifying capital contribution that allows foreign nationals to obtain U.S. permanent residency. Under the EB‑5 program, investors typically put $800,000 into a U.S. business located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1.05 million into a non‑TEA project. The investment must create or preserve at least 10 full‑time jobs for U.S. workers. Once USCIS approves the investor’s I‑526E petition, the investor and eligible family members receive conditional green cards and, after meeting job‑creation requirements, can remove the conditions to become permanent residents
- How do I evaluate whether an EB‑5 project is safe and likely to meet the job‑creation requirements?
A good project should have: \n• Strong job‑creation cushion: Look for projects that anticipate more than the required 10 jobs per investor. Experienced sponsors: A sponsor with a proven track record—e.g. 99.5 % approval on over 250 EB-5 petitions—reduces the risk of denials. Transparent financials: Projects should disclose budgets, construction timelines, and collateral details. \n• USCIS approval (I‑956F): An I‑956F‑approved project has had its business plan and job‑creation model vetted by USCIS. Investors should also work with immigration attorneys and financial advisors to conduct thorough due diligence on market demand, developer track record, and exit strategies.
- Can my spouse and children also obtain green cards through my EB‑5 visa investment?
Yes. One of the primary advantages of EB‑5 is that a single $800,000 investment can provide green cards for the investor, their spouse, and any unmarried children under 21. Family members enjoy the same rights as the principal investor, including living, working, and attending school anywhere in the United States.
- What happens if I file my EB‑5 visa investment after September 30, 2026?
Under the EB‑5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, USCIS must process petitions filed on or before September 30, 2026 under current rules. Petitions filed after that date may face new requirements. In addition, the Act mandates that the minimum investment amounts be adjusted for inflation every five years; the next adjustment takes effect on January 1, 2027, for applications filed on or after that date. Waiting until late 2026 or 2027 could therefore subject you to higher investment thresholds and rule changes. It’s advisable to file your I‑526E well before the 2026 deadline to lock in today’s standards. Read more about EB-5 grandfathering before Sept 30, 2026 here.
- What are the job creation requirements for an EB-5 visa investment?
Your EB-5 investment must lead to the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers, typically within 2.5 years of your investment. Jobs can be direct, indirect, or induced, depending on the project structure.