What is EB-5?
EB-5 is the fifth US employment-based immigrant visa category. Investors put capital into a qualifying US commercial project that creates at least 10 full-time US jobs, and the whole family can then apply for green cards. There are no education, English, age or management-experience requirements — it is one of the few US routes based mainly on funds.
Investment amounts
- Targeted Employment Area (TEA) projects: USD 800,000
- Projects in other areas: USD 1,050,000
TEAs include rural areas, high-unemployment areas and infrastructure projects. Under the 2022 reform act, the amounts will be adjusted for inflation every five years from 1 January 2027.
The process
- Choose a project and make the investment
- File I-526E (regional centre projects) or I-526 (direct investment)
- Once approved, receive two-year conditional green cards when your priority date is current
- File I-829 within the 90 days before the two years end to remove the conditions and receive permanent green cards
Source of funds
USCIS closely reviews the lawful source of the investment — employment income, business profits, property sales or gifts — and requires a complete record of how the funds moved. Proving the source of funds is often the most time-consuming part of the application.
EB-5 at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Investment | TEA projects USD 800,000; other projects USD 1,050,000 |
| Key benefit | Green cards for the whole family — live, work and study anywhere in the US |
| Family | Spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included |
| Background | No education, English, age or management-experience requirements |
EB-5 application process and timing
- Assessment and project selection (4–8 weeks): We choose the TEA category and a vetted project based on your place of birth, your children’s ages and your family’s goals.
- Source of funds and investment (3–6 months): Prepare the source-of-funds evidence, make the investment and sign the investment documents.
- File I-526E (12–24 months): File the investor petition; eligible applicants in the US can file I-485 at the same time. Once approved, the family receives two-year conditional green cards.
- I-829 removal of conditions (After two years of conditional residence): Show the investment was sustained and the jobs created, and receive ten-year permanent green cards.
Main EB-5 requirements
- A qualifying investment: USD 800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) project, or USD 1,050,000 in other projects
- Proof of the lawful source of the investment funds and the full transfer path
- The project must create at least 10 full-time jobs per investor
- The investment must remain at risk throughout the conditional green card period
- Admissibility: no serious criminal record and a satisfactory medical examination
- Participation in the business: investing through a regional centre as a limited partner is sufficient
Next step
Every family’s background, funds and timeline are different. Global Immigrate’s professional consultants can assess, free of charge, whether this programme suits you and compare other options. You can also request the full programme brochure on the programme page.
Learn more: US EB-5 Investor Immigration