Overview — US EB-5 Investor Visa
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is the United States’ route to permanent residence — a green card — through investment. It is the option for clients whose goal is America specifically: the right to live, work, study and retire anywhere in the country, with no employer, sponsor or fixed location required.
The investment is $800,000 if you invest in a Targeted Employment Area (a rural or high-unemployment area, which is how most applicants qualify) or $1.05 million elsewhere, and it must create at least ten US jobs. You first receive a two-year conditional green card; once the investment and job creation are confirmed, the conditions are removed and the green card becomes permanent. After five years of permanent residence you can apply for US citizenship.
EB-5 is not fast — current timelines often run to several years for the green card, and the rules are detailed — but it is the most established investment route to the United States, and your immediate family is included. We work alongside specialist US immigration counsel and vetted regional-center projects so the structure is sound from the start.
Who qualifies
- Investors able to commit $800,000 (TEA) or $1.05 million, from lawful sources
- Able to fully document the path of the invested funds
- Comfortable with a multi-year, job-creation-linked process
- Spouse and unmarried children under 21 included as dependants
- No language, age, business-experience or residence-history requirement to apply
Investment routes
Targeted Employment Area (TEA) Project
USD 800,000Invest $800,000 in a project located in a rural or high-unemployment area. The route most EB-5 investors use, as it qualifies at the lower amount.
Most common route — lower investment threshold
Standard-Area Project
USD 1,050,000Invest $1.05 million in a project outside a Targeted Employment Area. Each route must create at least ten qualifying US jobs.
Key benefits
- A direct route to a US green card for you and your immediate family
- Live, work, study or retire anywhere in the United States
- No sponsor, employer or specific location required
- Leads to US citizenship after five years of permanent residence
- Children under 21 are included as your dependants
How we process your application
Strategy & Project Selection
With specialist US counsel, we assess your goals and help you select a vetted regional-center or direct project that meets EB-5’s job-creation rules.
Source-of-Funds File
We build the detailed source-of-funds record EB-5 demands — tracing every dollar of the investment to a lawful origin.
Investment & I-526E Petition
You make the investment and file the immigrant petition with USCIS to establish your eligibility.
Conditional Green Card
On approval, you and your family obtain two-year conditional permanent residence through consular processing or adjustment of status.
Conditions Removed & Citizenship
Once the investment and jobs are confirmed, the conditions are removed and the green card becomes permanent. Citizenship can follow after five years.
Why apply with Avyanco
Frequently asked questions
How long does EB-5 take?
Is my investment at risk?
Does it lead to US citizenship?
Who in my family is covered?
Reviewed by
Jashvantkumar Prajapati
Founder & CEO, Avyanco — 21+ years in global mobility advisory