Residency & Citizenship

USA EB-5 Investor Visa

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is the United States' premier residency-by-investment pathway. It allows foreign nationals and their immediate families to obtain a US Green Card through qualifying investments that create American jobs. Administered by USCIS, it is one of the most prestigious investment migration programs in the world.

US Green Card Pathway to Citizenship Family Inclusion No Language Requirement
$800K
Min. Investment (TEA)
10
Jobs Must Be Created
5 years
Pathway to Citizenship
2
Investment Routes

Key Highlights

Why Choose USA?

US Green Card
Successful EB-5 applicants receive a conditional US permanent residence (Green Card), one of the world's most valuable travel documents.
Family Inclusion
Spouse and unmarried children under 21 are included in a single EB-5 application and receive their own Green Cards.
Pathway to Citizenship
After 5 years of permanent residency (3 years if married to a US citizen), EB-5 holders can apply for US citizenship by naturalization.
No Language Requirement
Unlike many immigration pathways, the EB-5 program has no English language test requirement for the initial Green Card application.
World's Largest Economy
Access to the world's largest economy, unparalleled business opportunities, elite universities, and a globally recognized passport with visa-free access to 186 countries.
No Sponsorship Required
Unlike employer-sponsored visas, the EB-5 program does not require a US employer sponsor. Investors apply independently through their investment.

Available Programs

USA Residence & Citizenship Programs Overview

Investment Route Description Type Min. Investment Jobs Required
Direct Investment Investor directly creates or manages a US business Residency & Citizenship $1,050,000 10 direct full-time jobs
Regional Center (TEA) Investment pooled through USCIS-designated centers in targeted areas Residency & Citizenship $800,000 10 direct or indirect jobs

Detailed Programs

Program Details

Click on each program to expand the details

Direct Investment $1,050,000

The Direct Investment route requires the investor to invest at least $1,050,000 directly into a new commercial enterprise in the United States. The investor must be actively involved in the management of the business, either through a policy-making position or day-to-day management role.

The investment must directly create at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying US workers. This route is suitable for investors who want to build or acquire a business in the United States.

The investment amount drops to $800,000 if the business is located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) — a rural area or area with high unemployment.

Standard Investment
$1,050,000
TEA Investment (rural/high unemployment)
$800,000
Jobs Required
10 direct full-time US workers
Management Role
Active involvement required

The Regional Center route is by far the most popular EB-5 pathway, accounting for the vast majority of EB-5 applications. Investors pool their capital through USCIS-designated Regional Centers — organizations that sponsor specific commercial projects in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs).

The minimum investment is $800,000 when invested in a TEA project. Job creation requirements are broader, allowing both direct and indirect jobs to count toward the 10-job minimum.

This route is ideal for passive investors who want US residency without the burden of managing a business. Investors typically receive their capital back after 5–7 years once the project is completed.

Min. Investment (TEA)
$800,000
Standard Investment (non-TEA)
$1,050,000
Jobs Required
10 direct or indirect jobs
Capital Return
Typically 5–7 years

Government Fees

EB-5 Application Fees & Costs

Government Filing Fees
I-526E Petition (USCIS)
~$3,675
DS-260 Immigrant Visa
~$325/person
I-485 Adjustment of Status
~$1,440/person
I-829 Petition (remove conditions)
~$3,750
Total Government Fees
$8,000 – $10,000
Regional Center Additional Costs
Admin & Management Fees
$50,000 – $80,000+
Legal Fees (immigration attorney)
$15,000 – $30,000+
Source of Funds Documentation
Varies by complexity
Note: Source of funds tracing is extremely detailed. All investment capital must come from a legitimate, documented source — bank statements and financial records are required.

Processing Timeline

EB-5 Timeline Overview

1
I-526E Petition Processing
USCIS reviews your petition — timeline varies significantly by country of birth due to annual visa caps and backlogs
12–36 months
2
Visa Application & Consular Processing
DS-260 immigrant visa at US consulate, or I-485 adjustment of status if already in the US
6–12 months
3
Conditional Green Card (2-year)
2-year conditional permanent residence issued upon entry to the United States — live, work, and study freely
2 years
4
I-829 — Remove Conditions
File I-829 petition to prove job creation requirements were met and investment was sustained
12–24 months
5
Permanent Green Card + Citizenship Eligibility
10-year permanent Green Card issued. Eligible to apply for US citizenship by naturalization after 5 years of permanent residence
3–5 years total
⚠️ Processing times can be significantly longer for applicants from high-demand countries (China, India, Vietnam) due to annual visa caps and backlogs. Total timeline from I-526E to permanent Green Card can range from 3 to 5+ years depending on country of birth.

Citizenship

Path to US Citizenship

EB-5 Visa holders may apply for US citizenship through naturalization after 5 years of holding a permanent Green Card (including the conditional period), provided all naturalization requirements are met.

If married to a US citizen, the residency requirement is reduced to just 3 years. Applicants must demonstrate continuous residence and physical presence in the US, pass a civics test and English language exam, and demonstrate good moral character.

Standard Residency Required
5 years of permanent Green Card
Married to US Citizen
3 years of permanent residence
Tests Required
Civics test + English language exam
Passport Strength
186 visa-free countries

Application Process

Your Path to Your US Green Card

1
Investment Selection
Choose between Direct Investment or Regional Center route
2
Source of Funds
Prepare comprehensive documentation proving lawful source of investment funds
3
I-526E Petition
File I-526E petition with USCIS. Processing time: 12–36 months depending on country of birth
4
Visa Application
Apply for immigrant visa at US consulate or adjust status if already in the US
5
Conditional Green Card
Receive 2-year conditional permanent residency upon entry to the United States
6
I-829 Petition
File I-829 to remove conditions after 2 years. Prove job creation requirements were met
7
Permanent Green Card
10-year permanent Green Card issued. Eligible for citizenship after 5 years of residency

Ready to Start Your US Journey?

Contact us for a free, strictly confidential consultation. Our senior advisors will guide you through the EB-5 process and identify the right investment route for your profile and family objectives.

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