💼 EB-5 Investor Green Card: U.S. Residency Through Investment & Job Creation
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows foreign nationals to obtain a U.S. green card by making a qualifying investment that creates jobs for U.S. workers.
If you’re an entrepreneur or investor seeking U.S. permanent residency for yourself and your immediate family, the EB-5 program could be the right path.
💵 EB-5 Investment Requirements
To qualify for the EB-5 visa, you must invest in a new commercial enterprise in the United States.
✅ Minimum Investment Amounts:
- $1.8 million – Standard minimum investment
- $900,000 – If investing in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)
- TEAs include rural areas or regions with high unemployment
⚠️ All investments must be at risk and committed to job creation.
👷 Job Creation Requirement
Your EB-5 investment must result in the creation (or preservation) of at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers within two years of receiving your conditional green card.
- Jobs may be direct (employed by the business you invest in)
- Or indirect (created through regional center investments that impact surrounding businesses or industries)
🏢 Investment Options
You can choose from two main investment routes:
1. Direct Investment (New Commercial Enterprise)
- Start your own business in the U.S.
- Must actively manage the business and directly create 10+ jobs
2. Regional Center Investment
- Invest in a USCIS-designated Regional Center
- Indirect job creation counts toward the 10-job requirement
- Typically more flexible and passive for investors
📝 A Regional Center is an organization approved to promote economic growth and job creation in specific regions.
💳 Proving the Source of Your Funds
You must prove that your EB-5 investment funds come from a lawful source. Acceptable sources include:
- Business income or salary
- Sale of property or assets
- Inheritance or gifts
- Secured loans (with documentation)
USCIS requires detailed financial records and documentation to confirm the legal origin of the capital.
🟩 Conditional Green Card & Removal of Conditions
Once your EB-5 petition is approved:
- You and your family (spouse and unmarried children under 21) receive conditional green cards, valid for 2 years
Before those 2 years expire, you must:
- File a petition to remove conditions (Form I-829)
- Show that your investment remains active
- Prove that the required jobs have been created or are in progress
Once approved, you will receive unconditional lawful permanent residency.
🇺🇸 Path to U.S. Citizenship
After 5 years of holding permanent resident status, EB-5 investors may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, provided they:
- Maintain continuous residence
- Meet physical presence and English/language requirements
- Show good moral character
⚖️ Why Legal Help Is Essential
The EB-5 process is highly regulated, with strict documentation, timelines, and annual visa limits (currently capped at 10,000 visas per year).
Working with an experienced immigration attorney helps ensure:
- Accurate financial documentation
- Strategic investment planning
- Timely filing of all petitions
- Compliance with all USCIS rules
📞 Ready to Explore the EB-5 Visa?
If you’re a qualified investor looking to build a future in the United States, the EB-5 program offers a path to permanent residency — and eventually, citizenship.
👉 Contact our office today to learn how we can help you navigate the EB-5 process from investment to green card and beyond.
Last Revision: March 2025.