EB-5 Investor Visa
$800K investment path to permanent US residence for you and your family
What is the EB-5 Program?
TEA Investment
Targeted Employment Area
Standard Investment
Non-TEA locations
Jobs Required
Full-time US workers
Green Card
Permanent residence
Key EB-5 Benefits
For You
- Permanent green card (not temporary)
- No employer sponsorship required
- Live anywhere in the US
- Work for any company or yourself
- Path to citizenship after 5 years
For Your Family
- Spouse included in application
- Children under 21 included
- Same permanent residence rights
- Children can study at in-state tuition
- No separate applications needed
Investment Amounts: $800K TEA vs $1.05M Standard
The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 established current investment thresholds based on project location.
$800,000 TEA Investment
- Rural areas (population under 20,000)
- High unemployment (150%+ national avg)
- Infrastructure projects
- Reserved visa allocation
- Most regional center projects qualify
$1,050,000 Standard
- Any commercial enterprise in US
- Urban areas with normal employment
- Greater project flexibility
- Direct investment in own business
- Same 10-job requirement
Direct EB-5 vs Regional Center
| Factor | Direct EB-5 | Regional Center |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Type | Own/operate the business | Passive investment |
| Job Creation | 10 direct W-2 employees | Direct + indirect jobs |
| Management | Active involvement required | Purely passive |
| Best For | Entrepreneurs | Passive investors |
| Capital Return | Business profits | After I-829 (5-7 years) |
Reserved Visa Categories (Faster Processing)
The 2022 reforms created set-aside categories with priority processing and separate visa allocations.
| Category | Set-Aside | Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas | 20% of EB-5 visas | $800,000 |
| High Unemployment | 10% of EB-5 visas | $800,000 |
| Infrastructure | 2% of EB-5 visas | $800,000 |
| Non-Reserved | Remaining 68% | $1,050,000 |
EB-5 Timeline: Filing to Green Card
Source of Funds Documentation
Gather evidence proving capital was lawfully obtained
Investment + I-526E Filing
Transfer funds and file petition with business plan
I-526/I-526E Adjudication
USCIS reviews petition; TEA projects get priority
Consular Processing or AOS
Interview at consulate or adjust status if in US
Conditional Green Card
2-year conditional residence; investment remains deployed
I-829 Remove Conditions
Prove jobs created; receive permanent green card
Proving Lawful Source of Funds
Acceptable Sources
- Business profits, dividends, sale proceeds
- Employment salary and bonuses
- Real estate sale proceeds
- Stock/investment liquidation
- Gifts (with donor's SOW docs)
- Inheritance
- Secured loans (against personal assets)
Documentation Tips
- Start gathering docs months early
- Get notarized translations
- Show complete paper trail
- Avoid gaps in financial history
- Tax returns match declarations
- Bank statements (12-24 months)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my investment back?
Yes, but not until after your I-829 is approved - typically 5-7 years from investment. Capital must remain at risk during this period. Regional center investments have defined exit timelines; direct investments depend on business success.
What if the project fails?
If the project fails to create required jobs, your I-829 may be denied and you could lose conditional residence. Due diligence on regional center track records is critical. Some investors obtain investment loss insurance.
Can I use borrowed money?
Yes, if the loan is secured by your personal assets (not EB-5 project assets). You must prove collateral was lawfully obtained. Margin loans against stock portfolios and home equity loans are common.
Do I need to live near my investment?
No. With your green card, you can live anywhere in the US. Regional center investments require no operational role. Direct investments need sufficient involvement but not physical presence at business location.
What are ongoing requirements?
Keep investment deployed and ensure job creation targets are met. Cannot abandon US residence for extended periods. File I-829 within 90-day window before conditional card expires.