Programme guides · US EB-5 Investor Immigration · Grenada Citizenship by Investment · Turkey Citizenship by Investment · Dominica Citizenship by Investment
A US Green Card or a Second Passport? EB-5 vs Citizenship by Investment
Global Immigrate consultants · Published
Written by Global Immigrate consultants · Reviewed by Oscar Yip, Founder & Managing Director
Summary
EB-5 gives a US green card from USD 800,000 — suited to moving to the US and children’s schooling, but you must live there and report worldwide income; citizenship by investment gives a passport from USD 200,000 without moving, but no visa-free US travel.
Short answer: they serve different goals. EB-5 gives a US green card from USD 800,000 — for moving to the US and children’s schooling. Citizenship by investment gives a second passport from USD 200,000 without moving — but no visa-free travel to the US.
Generally US tax resident, reporting worldwide income
Not moving generally doesn’t change tax residence
Children’s education
US universities as domestic students
No direct effect
US entry
Live in the US
Need a US visa
Can you have both?
Yes. Some families get a second passport first for travel and as a back-up, then plan EB-5 on their timeline. Grenadian and Turkish citizens can also apply for the US E-2 investor visa — though Grenadian citizens generally must first live in Grenada for three years.
How to choose
Living in the US and US schooling: EB-5.
Travel, options and no move: citizenship by investment.
Both matter: plan in stages, starting with the more time-sensitive one.
FAQ
Can a CBI passport travel visa-free to the US?
No — no CBI passport currently offers visa-free US travel.
Must EB-5 holders live in the US?
The US must be your main home; long absences can affect the green card.
