Updated on December 5, 2024
EB‑5 visa to the USA
Get a residence permit by investing in a business to live in and travel across the States
$870,000+
Investment amount
5+ years
Obtaining period
2 years
Visa validity period
In 1990, the United States started issuing EB‑5 immigrant visas to investors. The visa opens a path to obtaining a Green Card, which is the same as a permanent residence permit in the US. To get such a visa, an applicant must invest in a commercial enterprise and create at least 10 jobs for skilled workers from the United States.
One can invest in a business independently or through Regional Centers, companies operating in the Targeted Employment Areas. For example, rural areas, urban areas with high unemployment rates, or infrastructure projects. About 95% of investors participate in the EB‑5 investment program through Regional Centers.
In 2022, the President of the United States signed the EB‑5 Reform and Integrity Act, which established new minimum investment requirements. It has increased from $500,000 to $800,000.
Investors do not need to take English language or US history exams. But they must live in the States: your Green Card will be annulled if you leave the country for over a year.
Benefits of having an American EB‑5 Investor Visa
1
Moving to the USA or creating a safe haven
The investor and their family members get the right to legally live in the United States, one of the world’s wealthiest and most developed countries. EB‑5 visa holders can move to the States immediately after their visa petition is approved.
The investor and their family members get the right to legally live in the United States, one of the world’s wealthiest and most developed countries. EB‑5 visa holders can move to the States immediately after their visa petition is approved.
2
Opportunity to obtain US citizenship
The EB‑5 visa is an immigrant one. The investor receives a Green Card after two years of living in the US. They get the right to apply for citizenship 5 years later.
The US passport allows the holder to visit over 160 countries visa-free, including the Schengen states, the UK, Canada, and Japan.
The EB‑5 visa is an immigrant one. The investor receives a Green Card after two years of living in the US. They get the right to apply for citizenship 5 years later.
The US passport allows the holder to visit over 160 countries visa-free, including the Schengen states, the UK, Canada, and Japan.
3
Opening bank accounts in the USA
An investor with an EB‑5 visa can open local bank accounts in dollars, euros, and other currencies. They can keep savings in the account at interest or use it for international payments.
An investor with an EB‑5 visa can open local bank accounts in dollars, euros, and other currencies. They can keep savings in the account at interest or use it for international payments.
4
Access to education and healthcare
Residents can get health insurance and treatment in US clinics. The USA is one of the world’s centers of medical tourism: foreigners mostly come to visit gynecologists, oncologists, plastic surgeons, and resuscitators.
Investors’ children can study at US schools for free and receive scholarships for university enrollment. The country has international schools that issue International Baccalaureate (IB) diplomas.
Residents can get health insurance and treatment in US clinics. The USA is one of the world’s centers of medical tourism: foreigners mostly come to visit gynecologists, oncologists, plastic surgeons, and resuscitators.
Investors’ children can study at US schools for free and receive scholarships for university enrollment. The country has international schools that issue International Baccalaureate (IB) diplomas.
5
Getting a driver’s license
To drive a car in the US, one can get an international driver’s license.
To drive a car in the US, one can get an international driver’s license.
6
Investment return
The EB‑5 visa program doesn’t guarantee investment returns. However, it is possible to get one after the investment cycle is completed. It usually takes 5—7 years. The return rate depends on the specifics of the chosen project.
The EB‑5 visa program doesn’t guarantee investment returns. However, it is possible to get one after the investment cycle is completed. It usually takes 5—7 years. The return rate depends on the specifics of the chosen project.
7
No need to have a sponsor
The investor is not required to have a sponsor to apply for the EB‑5 visa. They only need to meet the requirements of the program.
The investor is not required to have a sponsor to apply for the EB‑5 visa. They only need to meet the requirements of the program.
Get maximum information about the process
Step by step procedure
Requirements for applicants
Conditions for obtaining an EB‑5 visa
Answers to frequently asked questions
Requirements for EB-5 visa applicants
Investor's expenses — $800,000+
EB‑5 investments can be risky. Immigrant Invest cooperates with trustworthy Regional Centers that carefully select investment projects. The opportunity to return the money appears after the project’s investment cycle is completed. Usually, it takes 5—7 years.
There are 640 Regional Centers in the USA. The minimum investment amount depends on the company’s location. Applicants invest:
$800,000+ in a project in a Targeted Employment Area;
or $1,050,000+ in a project outside the Targeted Employment Areas.
Individual cost calculation for the US EB-5 visa to the USA
Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining a Portugal passport by investment
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Immigrant Invest conducts preliminary Due Diligence to prepare the investor for the main one required for the EB‑5 visa. This check helps to identify risks of failure in advance and minimize them.
Certified Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officers carry out the check. They know all about the peculiarities of Due Diligence in different countries. The assessment is entirely confidential; the investor provides only a passport copy.
Take a short anonymous test and learn more about the nuances of Due Diligence checks.
2+ weeks
Preparation of documents
Immigrant Invest lawyers list the documents required for filing a petition for an EB‑5 visa. The investor provides the originals, and lawyers translate and certify the copies with a notary.
The list of personal and financial documents includes the following:
copies of the investor and their family members’ civil passports;
birth certificates of all participants;
a marriage certificate or a certificate of its absence;
proof of investment transfer to the selected project;
certified copies of court decisions in civil or criminal cases against the investor for the last 15 years, if any;
tax returns for the previous 7 years;
bank statements for the previous 7 years;
confirmation of ownership of the company if the investor has a business;
copies of all business licenses;
documents confirming the availability of other income;
financial statements for each business;
proof of the legality of the investment sources.
The investor submits the documents to a Regional Center and a US immigration lawyer who accompanies the applicants when filing the petition.
The Regional Center provides the package of documents for the project. It includes a cover letter, business plan, economic report, and documents confirming the Center’s activities.
Fulfillment of investment requirements
Before applying for an EB‑5 visa, the applicant transfers investments to the selected project.
The Regional Center is responsible for creating 10 jobs. Also, the Center’s employees inform the investor about the project, its profitability, and associated risks.
Applying for the EB-5 visa
The investor files an I‑526E petition, which is an EB‑5 visa application. They are accompanied by an immigration lawyer who checks all documents and helps to fill out the forms.
Typically, documents are submitted to the US consulate in the country of citizenship or another nearby state. But if the investor is already in the United States, for example, on a work visa, they submit documents to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS.
3+ years
Processing of the investor's application
The USCIS reviews the applicant’s documents for an EB‑5 visa for 3—4 years.
6+ months
Getting a Conditional Green Card
After the USCIS approves the EB‑5 visa petition, the investor travels to the States and files an I‑485 petition for a Conditional Green Card.
The USCIS schedules a biometrics collection date and sometimes interviews the applicant.
The petition is processed within six months; then, Conditional Green Card are issued to the investor and their family members.
2 years later
Getting a US Green Card
The investor is eligible to get a US Green Card, or permanent residence, two years after the petition under the EB‑5 program is approved. They file an I‑829 petition with the USCIS to remove restrictions on obtaining permanent residency.
Application processing takes 3 years.
Case studies
Schedule a meeting
Let's discuss the details
Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.
Prefer messengers?
Frequently asked questions
Articles and news
Advantages of EB-5 visa in the US
Albert Ioffe
Cost of US EB-5 visa
Albert Ioffe
USA EB‑5 Visa for Indians
Abhay Jaiswal
Schedule a meeting
Let’s discuss the details
We will develop an individual solution, select a country and status that will solve your problems, and accompany the entire process.
Head of the Austrian office
Prefer messengers?