Overview
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program enables qualified foreign investors and their immediate family members to acquire U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident status by making an equity investment in a commercial enterprise that creates jobs for U.S. workers. Reauthorized under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA), the program offers high-net-worth foreign nationals a direct path to green cards without requiring an employer sponsor.
Requirements
Equity into a new commercial enterprise
The foreign investor must invest qualifying equity capital into a new commercial enterprise, or a targeted regional center project.
The statutory capital threshold
Under statutory guidelines, the minimum capital threshold is $800,000 for investments located in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA — defined as rural areas or locations with high unemployment) or $1,050,000 for standard infrastructure investments.
Lawfully sourced funds
The applicant must demonstrate that invested funds were lawfully derived from clear, traceable sources, such as business earnings, real estate sales, gifts, or inheritances.
Ten full-time jobs
The commercial enterprise must directly or indirectly create at least ten full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers within two years.
Key benefits
- Direct path to permanent residence (Green Cards) for the investor, spouse, and unmarried children under 21.
- No requirement for corporate job offers, specialized educational degrees, or specific business experience.
- Freedom to live, retire, attend school, or operate businesses anywhere within the United States.
- Concurrent filing of Form I-526E and Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) available for investors present in the U.S.