To qualify for an EB-5 visa, an investor must:

• Invest the required minimum amount
• Demonstrate lawful source of funds
• Create at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs
• Invest in a new commercial enterprise

Eligibility requirements are governed by U.S. immigration law.

The current EB-5 minimum investment amounts are:

• $800,000 for projects located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)
• $1,050,000 for non-TEA projects

These thresholds were established under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act and are subject to regulatory change.

A Targeted Employment Area (TEA) is a rural area or a location with high unemployment as defined under U.S. immigration regulations.

Investments in TEA-designated projects qualify for the lower $800,000 minimum investment amount.

Each EB-5 investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.

When investing through a Regional Center, job creation may include:

• Direct jobs
• Indirect jobs
• Induced jobs

As permitted under program rules.

• Direct EB-5: Requires direct job creation by the enterprise in which the investor invests.
• Regional Center EB-5: Allows indirect and induced jobs to be counted in addition to direct jobs.

Many investors choose Regional Center projects due to reduced management responsibility and structured oversight.

Processing times vary depending on:

• Country of birth
• Visa availability
• USCIS workload

Estimated timelines may include:

• I-526E petition: approximately 12–24+ months
• Conditional Green Card: issued upon petition approval and visa availability
• Permanent Green Card: issued after approval of Form I-829

Visa retrogression may affect applicants from certain countries.

Yes.

Once granted permanent residency, EB-5 investors may:

• Live anywhere in the United States
• Work for any employer
• Operate a business
• Study without employer sponsorship restrictions

Yes.

The principal investor’s:

• Spouse
• Unmarried children under 21

May receive permanent residency as derivative beneficiaries.

No.

EB-5 investments must be “at risk” to qualify under program requirements. There can be no guarantee of capital preservation or return.

Investors should carefully review all offering documents and consult qualified immigration and legal professionals.

Yes.

After maintaining lawful permanent residency for the required period (generally five years), EB-5 investors may apply for U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process, subject to eligibility requirements.