Updated on October 24, 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 5

    Getting a 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.

  • 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.

price

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

    • Over 18

    • With legal income

    • With no criminal record

  • Spouse

    • Over 18

    • With no criminal record

  • Children under 21

    • Unmarried

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.

Investments

$800,000+

Administrative fee

$70,000

Registration fee

$1,000 per family

State fee for the I‑526E petition for the EB‑5 visa

$11,160 per family

State fee for the I‑485 petition for a Conditional Green Card

$1,440 per applicant over 14

$950 per applicant under 14

Green Card application

$345 per applicant

Green Card issue

$325 per applicant

State fee for the I‑829 petition

$9,525

+ $85 for collection of biometrics

Health insurance

$560+

Individual cost calculation for the US EB-5 visa to the USA

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

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.

Evaluate chances
2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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

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.

7

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.

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Frequently asked questions

  • What is the US EB-5 visa?

    The EB‑5 visa is granted to foreign nationals for significant investments in US businesses. It opens a path to obtaining permanent residency and citizenship.

  • How much does the US EB-5 visa cost?

    The cost of an EB‑5 Investment Visa depends on the investment project’s location.The minimum amount is:

    • $800,000 in a project in a Targeted Employment Area;

    • or $1,050,000 in a project not in the Targeted Employment Area.

  • How to get an EB-5 visa?

    To obtain an EB‑5 immigrant visa, applicants invest $800,000 or more in a commercial enterprise and create at least 10 jobs for skilled workers from the United States.

  • How much money does it take to get US citizenship?

    US citizenship cannot be obtained by investment. Foreigners receive an American passport after five years of living in the States with permanent residence, or a Green Card.

    The costs depend on the situation: applicants usually pay a state fee for filing a petition. For example, the fees for issuing a citizenship certificate are $1,170.

  • How to qualify for the EB-5 visa?

    The investor must spend at least seven days a year in Portugal to maintain the residence status. It is 
    The requirements imposed on EB‑5 visa applicants include the following:

    • be over 18;

    • have legal income and be able to prove it;

    • have no criminal records;

    • not be under sanctions.

    The investor has the right to add family members to the visa application: a spouse and children under 21. Adult children must not be married.

  • What are the benefits of an EB-5 visa?

    The investor is entitled to obtain permanent residence in the United States two years after their EB‑5 visa application has been approved. They can move to the States with their family, get a job, and use the services of local banks and clinics. With EB‑5 visas, investors’ children can study at US schools and universities.

  • How to move to the USA through business investment?

    You need to get an immigrant visa, such as EB‑5. It gives the right to apply for permanent residence and US citizenship in the future.

  • Why should I trust Immigrant Invest?

    Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for citizenship and residency by investment programs. It means we have passed Due Diligence checks and received licenses from the governments of countries with investment programs.

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Zlata Erlach
Zlata Erlach

Head of the Austrian office

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