A direct path to U.S. permanent residency through qualifying investment and job creation — for you and your family.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers foreign nationals a direct path to U.S. permanent residency through qualifying investments. For many high-net-worth individuals — especially those without family or employment sponsorship in the U.S. — it represents not only the best option but often the only viable route to achieving lawful permanent residence.
The EB-5 visa category allows you, your spouse, and your unmarried children under 21 the opportunity to live and work permanently in the United States. It is designed to provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship through investment.
As of March 15, 2022, the investment amount is $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA) and rural areas, and $1,050,000 elsewhere. These amounts have been approved by Congress for the next five years.
TEA Definition: A Targeted Employment Area refers to a rural area or an area with unemployment at 150%+ of the national average. TEA zones are determined by USCIS.
Choose the investment structure that best fits your financial goals and immigration timeline.
Investors qualify for U.S. passports and naturalization after 5 years of permanent residency in the United States.
No education, work experience, or language skills required. No employer or family sponsorship needed.
Investors can choose any state to reside in — your home address does not need to be near the investment project.
You and your family have full permission to work and study anywhere in the United States immediately upon entry.
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 receive Green Cards alongside you — no separate applications required.
Establish or invest in any type of business in the U.S. in addition to your EB-5 investment, immediately upon entry.
The EB-5 visa is ideal for a wide range of individuals seeking permanent U.S. residency through investment:
Parents seeking better educational opportunities and a safer environment for their children
Nationals whose country does not have a Treaty Trade Agreement (E-1/E-2) with the U.S.
Business owners looking to expand into U.S. markets with growth opportunities
Students wanting to secure their future after completing higher education in the U.S.
Individuals seeking stability due to financial, social, or political uncertainty in their home country
Compare investment immigration options to determine the best pathway for your goals.
| Feature | EB-5 Visa | E-2 Visa | L-1 Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Type | Immigrant (Green Card) | Non-Immigrant | Non-Immigrant |
| Investment | $800K (TEA) / $1.05M | ~$100,000+ | No minimum |
| Job Creation | 10 full-time jobs | Not specified | Not required |
| Duration | Permanent | 2 yrs (renewable ∞) | 5–7 years max |
| Green Card Path | Yes — direct | No direct path | Via EB-1C |
| Spouse Work Auth. | Yes (Green Card) | Yes (E-2 EAD) | Yes (L-2 EAD) |
| Employer Needed | No | No | Yes (parent company) |
| Residency Requirement | Flexible | Must manage business | Work at U.S. office |
| Best For | High-net-worth investors | Entrepreneurs | Multinational companies |
A comprehensive roadmap from your first consultation to receiving your U.S. passport.
Consult with an experienced EB-5 immigration attorney regarding your source of funds, investment goals, and eligibility.
Choose between a Direct Investment or Regional Center project. Your attorney will help evaluate project viability and USCIS compliance.
Your attorney contacts the project or agent, begins gathering source-of-funds documentation, and prepares the legal framework.
Sign the subscription agreement with the project. Transfer the administrative fee and investment amount to the project's escrow account.
Your attorney files the I-526E petition including business plan, source of funds documentation, and job creation methodology. Average processing: 14–18 months.
If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, your attorney prepares and submits a comprehensive response. Timeline: 90–120 days.
Outside the U.S.: Consular processing at your local U.S. embassy (4–6 months). Inside the U.S.: File I-485 adjustment of status concurrently.
Complete biometrics appointment and medical exam with a USCIS-approved physician. Required for all applicants and derivative family members.
Attend your consular interview (if applicable). Upon approval, enter the U.S. and receive your welcome package with conditional Green Card.
You receive your conditional permanent resident card, valid for 2 years. You can live, work, and study freely anywhere in the United States.
Eligible to apply after 21 months. Your attorney files the I-829 petition demonstrating sustained investment and job creation. Processing: ~3 years.
Upon I-829 approval, conditions are removed and you receive your unconditional permanent Green Card — full permanent residency for you and your family.
After 5 years from the issuance of your first Green Card, you are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization and receive your U.S. passport.
This timeline provides a general overview and is subject to change based on USCIS processing times and individual case circumstances. Please consult with our attorneys for a personalized assessment.
Anyone with a legal and documentable source of funds can apply for the EB-5 visa. There are no requirements for education, work experience, language skills, or age. No employer or family sponsorship is needed.
There are two main options: Direct Investment (you create and manage your own business) and Regional Center Investment (you invest in a USCIS-approved project managed by a third party). Both require creation of 10 full-time jobs.
The required investment is $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or rural area, or $1,050,000 elsewhere. These amounts were set by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.
10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers must be created and maintained until you obtain your permanent (unconditional) Green Card through the I-829 petition.
Yes. By definition, the EB-5 investment must be "at risk" — meaning the funds must be genuinely invested in a commercial enterprise with no guarantee of return. This is a USCIS requirement.
The typical timeline from filing to conditional Green Card is approximately 2–3 years. The I-526E petition currently takes 14–18 months, followed by consular processing (4–6 months). Processing times are subject to change.
For Regional Center investments, no — you can live anywhere in the United States. For Direct investments, you may need to live near your business to manage it, though you can also hire a business manager.
You become eligible for U.S. citizenship 5 years after the issuance of your first conditional Green Card, provided you meet all naturalization requirements including physical presence in the U.S.