US EB-5 Investor Visa
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program grants US permanent residence (Green Card) to investors who invest capital in a new commercial enterprise and create at least 10 full-time American jobs.
Who Is This For?
- You have a net worth sufficient to invest USD $800,000 (TEA area) or $1,050,000 (non-TEA)
- You can document the lawful source of your investment funds
- You are investing in a new commercial enterprise or an existing business that is being restructured
- Your investment will create or preserve at least 10 full-time positions for US workers
- You are not inadmissible to the US on criminal, health, or other grounds
- Regional Center investments (indirect job creation) are the most common route today
How It Works
- 1
Select an EB-5 investment project
Choose between a direct investment (you manage the business) or a USCIS-approved Regional Center project (pooled investment, indirect jobs). Regional Center is most common.
- 2
Transfer your investment capital
Wire your investment funds to the project's escrow account. Document the source of funds thoroughly — this is heavily scrutinized.
- 3
File Form I-526E (Immigrant Petition)
Your immigration attorney files your I-526E petition with USCIS, demonstrating your investment meets all EB-5 requirements.
- 4
Apply for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status
Once your priority date is current, you apply for a US immigrant visa (if outside the US) or adjustment of status (if already in the US).
- 5
Receive conditional Green Card (2 years)
USCIS issues a 2-year conditional permanent residence card.
- 6
File I-829 to remove conditions
After 2 years, file Form I-829 to prove your investment was sustained and jobs were created. Upon approval, you receive a 10-year Green Card.
Why ITC iLand for This Program?
While Canada is our primary focus, ITC iLand has guided clients through U.S. immigration pathways as part of comprehensive second-country planning. Our network includes U.S. immigration attorneys who collaborate on complex EB-5 and employment-based cases, backed by the same 25+ years of international immigration expertise that has driven 10,000+ successful applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum investment is USD $800,000 for projects located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA — rural or high-unemployment area) and $1,050,000 for all other projects. The vast majority of EB-5 investors use the lower TEA threshold through Regional Center projects.
A USCIS-approved Regional Center is an economic entity that pools EB-5 investors' capital and channels it into qualifying projects (typically real estate development). Regional Centers allow indirect job creation — meaning jobs created throughout the supply chain count, not just direct employees of the business.
EB-5 is a multi-year process. I-526E petition: 18–36 months. If born in China or India, priority date backlogs can add years of additional waiting. The conditional Green Card is then valid for 2 years, followed by the I-829 removal of conditions (12–24 months). Plan for a total of 5–10 years for the full process.
The I-829 is the petition to remove conditions from your Green Card filed approximately 2 years after receiving conditional residence. You must demonstrate that your investment was maintained and the required jobs were created. Failure to create jobs or sustain the investment can result in termination of your conditional Green Card.
EB-5 is a "risk capital" investment — your investment must be genuinely "at risk." If the Regional Center project fails or underperforms, you may lose some or all of your investment while your immigration case is still pending. ITC iLand works with due diligence specialists to evaluate Regional Center projects before you commit.
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