Vietnam
Hong Kong
TaiwanThe three routes at a glance
| EB-5 | EB-1A | EB-2 NIW | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment | USD 800,000 (TEA) | None | None |
| Background | No education, English or age requirement | National or international acclaim | Master’s, or bachelor’s plus five years |
| Employer | Not needed | Not needed | Not needed |
| Premium processing | Not applicable | I-140 in about 15 working days | I-140 in about 45 working days |
| Green card | Two-year conditional green card first | Green card directly | Green card directly |
| Main risk | Project risk | Refusal for insufficient evidence | A weak national-interest argument |
The core of each route
- EB-5: certainty through capital. Education and achievements don’t matter, but you must prove the lawful source of funds and choose a vetted project.
- EB-1A: proof through achievement. You must meet at least three of ten criteria and be judged among the top of your field overall.
- EB-2 NIW: the national importance of your work. You must argue that the work has substantial merit, that you are well placed to advance it, and that waiving labour certification benefits the US.
Choosing by profile
| Profile | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Funds available, wanting a predictable timeline | EB-5 |
| Highly cited research, international awards or media coverage | EB-1A |
| A master’s degree, with research or work linked to US interests | EB-2 NIW |
| A child close to 21 | Prioritise the fastest route and assess CSPA |
Can I consider more than one?
Yes. Many professionals assess EB-1A or NIW first and consider EB-5 if they are not yet ready. Some families prepare two routes at once and go with whichever is approved first.
Watch the backlog
For all three, the green card stage follows the backlog for your place of birth. Taiwan-born applicants generally face no backlog; mainland China-born applicants should check waits in each category.