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EB-5 Visas
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- What you need to qualify?
- The minimum investment requirement for an EB-5 Visa is $900,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1.8 million in non-TEAs, aimed at fostering economic growth through job creation.
- It provides a direct path to permanent residency in the U.S. for investors, their spouses, and unmarried children under 21 by requiring the creation or preservation of 10 full-time jobs for American workers.
- Projects qualifying for EB-5 investments include commercial enterprises in a variety of sectors such as real estate development, manufacturing, and technology that meet job creation requirements.
- Recent changes to the program include adjustments to investment amounts and TEA designations to better target economic development goals and streamline the application process.
- The application process can take several years, from submitting the initial petition to achieving conditional permanent residency, due to rigorous documentation requirements and processing backlogs.
The EB-5 visa is one way of gaining entry to the US.
If you’re able to invest in a US business and are interested in obtaining a US green card, the EB-5 visa could be the right route for you.
Does this sound like the best visa option for your goals?
In This Article, You Will Discover:
There are some very specific ins and outs to obtaining an EB-5 visa.
Read on for WorldCitizenships’ expert take on everything you need to know about EB-5 visas…
What’s an EB-5 Visa & Why Do They Exist?
An EB-5 visa is a US immigrant investor visa that allows foreign investors to become permanent residents of the USA if they meet certain investment criteria.
The EB-5 visa exists because of the EB-5 Investor Program instituted by the US Congress in 1990.
The EB-5 visa was created to stimulate the US economy by creating employment.
Learn More: What’s an EB-5 Visa?
History of the EB-5 Visa
The EB-5 visa program, also known as the Employment-Based Fifth Preference Visa, has a fascinating history that dates back to the 1990s.
Created by the US Congress as part of the Immigration Act of 1990, the EB-5 visa program was designed to stimulate the US economy through foreign investments while simultaneously providing eligible immigrants with a direct pathway to permanent residency in the United States.
The result was the introduction of the EB-5 visa program, which sets aside 10,000 immigrant visas annually for foreign nationals willing to invest a significant amount of capital in new commercial enterprises within the United States.
Learn More: History of the EB-5 Visa
Who’s Eligible & What’s Required for an EB-5 Visa?
Essentially, anyone able to meet the minimum investment requirements and traverse the application process is eligible to apply for the EB-5 visa.
The basic eligibility requirements for an EB-5 visa include the following:
- You must be able to invest US$1.050 million in a US business, or you must be able to invest US$800,000 in a US business located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
- The US business you invest in must create at least 10 permanent jobs for US citizens for at least 2 years.
- Your investment funds must be legally acquired.
Learn More: EB-5 Visa Requirements
What Are the Benefits & Risks of the EB-5 Visa?
The benefits and risks of the EB-5 visa are equally consequential and should be weighed carefully to determine whether the EB-5 immigrant visa is the right option for you.
Some of the benefits of the EB-5 visa include the following:
- Your spouse and children under the age of 21 will also receive their Green Cards.
- You’ll have access to US social security and medical care.
- You’ll have the same access to US educational institutions as a US citizen does.
Our list of EB-5 visa risks includes the following:
- The success rate of EB-5 applications is relatively low.
- If your investment is unsuccessful, you stand to lose a large amount of money.
- If your invested business fails to meet the requirements of the EB-5 visa stipulations, your Green Card can be revoked.
Learn More: Benefits & Risks of EB-5 Visa
EB-5 Visa Costs, Charges, & Fees
EB-5 visa costs, charges, and fees extend beyond the basic required investment amount.
In addition to the required US$1.8 million investment (or US$800,000 in a TEA), we advise that you also plan for the following costs:
- Application fees
- USCIS processing fees
- Administrative fees for regional centers
- Immigration lawyer fees if employing the services of a lawyer
- Relocation and travel expenses
- Document translations
Learn More: EB-5 Visa Costs
EB-5 Visa Application & Documents
The EB-5 visa process takes place in steps and generally takes at least 13 months from the submission of your application.
The duration of this process could vary depending on where you’re applying from.
The visa application process generally unfolds as follows:
- Choose investment advisor and an immigration attorney.
- Find an EB-5 project that meets EB-5 program requirements.
- Apply by submitting Form I-526 to the USCIS.
- The USCIS will review your application and forward it to the National Visa Center (NVC).
- The NVC will contact you to request that you pay the relevant fees and submit various supporting documentation.
- You’ll attend an interview at your nearest US Embassy.
- Apply for Adjustment of Status (I-485 application) and DS-260 form.
- Receive your 2-Year conditional Green Card.
- Submit I-829 petition to remove the conditions from your permanent residency.
Do note
There are no guarantees in this regard, as each application is unique.
Some of the documents required for the application process are listed below:
- Business plan
- Job creation documentation
- Proof of legal source of funds
- Personal documents
- Immigration forms
Learn More: EB-5 Visa Application
EB-5 Investment Options & How to Choose the Right One
When it comes to picking an EB-5 investment project, investors need to consider an array of factors - not the least of which is the requirement that their chosen investment project fulfill the criteria for EB-5 eligibility.
You also need to consider the pros and cons of investing directly or via a regional center.
The most common sectors for successful EB-5 investments include the following:
- Restaurants
- Hotels, resorts, and casinos
- Real estate (which has a distinct edge) and property development
- Retail chains
- IT companies
Learn More: EB-5 Investment Options
Successful EB-5 Regional Centers
According to the USCIS, there are 640 approved Regional Centers.
But since the required EB-5 investment is substantial, you’ll want some sense of the most successful ones.
The top-performing regional centers in 2025 include the following:
- CMB Export
- Behring Regional Center
- New York Immigration Fund
- Delaware Valley Regional Center
- Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation Regional Center
- Florida EB5 Investments LCC
- Southeast Regional Center
- EB-5 New York State Regional Center
- Florida Overseas Investment Center
Learn More: Successful EB-5 Regional Centers
How Can I Get a Loan for an EB-5 Visa?
It’s possible to get an individual loan, and certain banks will grant loans to EB-5 investors.
It’s important to note that even if you do use a loan to fund your EB-5 investment, the USCIS still requires you to have proof of substantial personal wealth.
You can use a loan as your EB-5 funding mechanism only if you tick the following boxes:
- You have a net worth greater than US$900,000
- You hold a minimum of US$400,000 in liquid assets prior to the loan application
- You’re investing in an EB-5 project that’s been pre-approved.
Learn More: EB-5 Loans
What Are the Tax Implications of an EB-5 Visa?
The tax implications of your EB-5 visa can have significant financial consequences.
The potential tax implications of an EB-5 visa include the following:
- Paying worldwide income taxes
- The requirement for FBAR reporting compliance can be onerous
- An “exit” tax if you relinquish your permanent residency for any reason
These are some of the reasons you should plan your taxes carefully if you’re wanting to apply for an EB-5 visa.
You can manage your EB-5 visa-related taxes in the following ways:
- Develop a tax strategy prior to applying for your EB-5 visa
- Consider the E-2 visa route as an alternative to the EB-5 visa
- Familiarize yourself with your state’s income tax laws
- Consult a tax advisor with US and/or international expertise
Learn More: EB-5 Visa Tax Implications
Best EB-5 Visa Firms
The services offered by EB-5 firms range from business plan writing to securities and corporate attorney services, or many services under one umbrella.
Using a reputable EB-5 firm can help ensure a successful and smooth EB-5 investment journey.
Here’s our selection of the best EB-5 firms across a wide array of services:
- USAdvisors
- Wolfsdorf Immigration Law Group
- Wildes & Weinberg PC
- CrowdCheck
- Impact DataSource
- American Corporate Services Law Offices Inc.
- Krawitz and Guerra Law Office
- Law Office of Timur Edib
- Strategic Element Consulting
Learn More: Best EB-5 Firms
How Do I Choose the Right Immigration Lawyer for My EB-5 Visa?
Choosing the perfect immigration lawyer is the key to a successful EB-5 visa journey.
The EB-5 visa is one of the most difficult visas to qualify for, and for that reason, our advice is to choose an attorney who specializes in EB-5 visas and has a proven track record.
Other considerations include accessibility and transparent fees.
Learn More: EB-5 Immigration Lawyers
Is the EB-5 Visa Safe?
Yes, the EB-5 visa is safe if the correct USCIS application process is followed.
However…
Potential risks of the EB-5 visa include the following:
- You can lose money if your investment isn’t successful.
- You could run into unforeseen tax consequences.
- Instances of fraudulent activity in the EB-5 program have been noted.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulate the activity of EB-5 projects and investments to minimize the risk of fraud.
Learn More: EB-5 Visa Safety
EB-5 Visa Planning
EB-5 visa applications are time-consuming and expensive and undergo some of the most stringent review processes.
We advise all of our valued clients to plan and prepare rigorously for their EB-5 application process.
One of the easiest ways to ensure you’re prepared and organized is through a checklist approach, and since we aim to go above and beyond in our field, we’ve designed one for just this purpose.
Learn More: EB-5 Planning
What Are the Alternatives to EB-5 Visas?
If the EB-5 visa isn’t quite the right fit for you, alternative visa options exist.
Alternatives to the EB-5 visa include the following:
- E-2 Visa
- L-1 Visa
- O-1 Visa
Learn More: EB-5 Visa Alternatives
Common Questions
How Many EB-5 Visas Are Issued Each Year, & Is There a Limit?
Will My EB-5 Visa Apply to My Family Members?
Will I Get a Green Card if I Get an EB-5 Visa?
Can I Get US Citizenship With an EB-5 Visa?
How Long Will My EB-5 Green Card Last?
Is the EB-5 Visa Worth It?
How Long Can I Stay in the USA With an EB-5 Visa?
Is It Possible to Get a Loan for an EB-5 Visa From a US Bank?
Is Obtaining an EB-5 Visa Easy?
What Don’t I Need for an EB-5 Visa?
Which Nationalities Find It Hardest to Get an EB-5 Visa?
In Conclusion
The EB-5 visa is an immigrant visa that allows foreign investors to access US permanent residency immediately upon investing the minimum required funds into a new commercial enterprise.
The EB-5 visa is the most expensive and protracted US visa route, but it’s also the most direct means of accessing a US Green Card.
Chat to our experienced team at WorldCitizenships to find out more about the ins and outs of the EB-5 visa - we’ve done our due diligence!
Read On: What Are Employment-Based Visas?
