Your Path to a
US Green Card
Through Investment

The timeline varies by country of birth and application volume. For most applicants, the process takes 24 to 48 months from filing the I-526E petition to receiving a conditional Green Card. After 2 years of conditional residency, you file to remove conditions — and receive your permanent Green Card. Citizens of countries with high EB-5 demand (such as China and India) may experience longer wait times due to annual visa caps. We assess your specific timeline during the free consultation.

Your spouse and all unmarried children under the age of 21 are included in a single EB-5 petition at no additional investment requirement. Each family member receives their own Green Card. Your spouse has an independent right to live and work anywhere in the United States. Children included in the petition can attend US schools at in-state tuition rates and work upon turning 18.

USCIS requires you to prove that your investment capital was earned through lawful means — not illegal activity. Common accepted sources include: business ownership proceeds, salary and savings, real estate sales, inheritance, gifts, or investment returns. Documentation typically includes tax returns, bank statements, property sale records, and business financial statements going back 3–5 years. This is one of the most important parts of the petition — we guide you through exactly what you need based on your specific source of funds.

A USCIS-designated Regional Center is an organization authorized to pool EB-5 investments into large commercial projects — real estate, infrastructure, hospitality, and more. Investing through a Regional Center is a completely passive investment. You have no management responsibilities, no employees to hire, and no operations to oversee. Job creation is calculated indirectly through economic multiplier models, making it significantly easier to meet the 10-job requirement. This is the path chosen by the vast majority of international EB-5 investors.

No. While your I-526E petition is pending with USCIS — which can take 12–24 months — you can continue living in your home country. Once your immigrant visa is issued and you enter the US, you will receive your conditional Green Card. As a Green Card holder you must maintain US residency (generally spending more than 6 months per year in the US), but international travel is fully permitted. We advise each client on how to structure their residency to maintain status while continuing their global lifestyle.

The $800,000 minimum applies to investments made in a "Targeted Employment Area" (TEA) — defined as a rural area or an urban area with unemployment at least 1.5 times the national average. Most Regional Center projects are located in or near TEAs, making the lower threshold widely available. The $1,050,000 standard minimum applies to investments outside these areas. For direct investments (where you own and manage the business), the $1,050,000 threshold typically applies unless the business is in a qualifying TEA. We help you identify which threshold applies to your investment of choice.

EB-5 is a real investment in a real commercial enterprise — it is not a fee or donation. Capital invested through a Regional Center is typically structured as a loan to the project developer, and many investors receive their capital returned after the project is completed (usually 5–7 years). However, all investments carry risk and returns are not guaranteed. We recommend working only with vetted, USCIS-approved Regional Center projects and reviewing all financial disclosures carefully before committing. We assist with this due diligence as part of our service.

Yes. After holding your permanent Green Card for 5 years and meeting residency requirements, you are eligible to apply for US citizenship through naturalization. This includes passing a basic civics and English test, demonstrating good moral character, and taking the Oath of Allegiance. US citizenship grants you a US passport, the right to vote, and the ability to sponsor additional family members. Your children who obtained Green Cards through your petition can also pursue citizenship on this same timeline.

This is one of the most common reasons families pursue EB-5. An F-1 student visa has strict limitations — it expires, has limited work authorization, and requires departure after studies unless another status is obtained. EB-5 solves this entirely. Your investment petition includes your child as a derivative beneficiary (if under 21 when filed), giving them a direct path to a Green Card alongside you and your spouse. Even if your child turns 21 during the process, protections exist under the Child Status Protection Act. Schedule a consultation early — timing matters significantly in these cases.