Investor visa routes in United States of America
Thinking about United States of America as a place to work? Below are the 2 United States of America visa routes that most commonly fit investors, with what each one needs and a link to the official government source. Always confirm the current rules on the primary source before acting.
Also searched as: high-net-worth individual, HNW, wealth migrant, passive-income migrant.
What this means for investors
Of the 2 United States of America routes that commonly fit investors, 0 need a sponsoring employer and 2 do not, and 1 can lead to permanent residence. Investors are not usually a licensed profession, so your main gates are securing a qualifying job offer where a route needs a sponsor, and meeting any salary or points threshold, rather than re-credentialing.
The most-used skilled route into United States of America overall is the H-1B Specialty Occupation; it is not specific to investors but is worth understanding as the benchmark route.
Typical figures — EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Salary you must earn
US$1,050,000/yr
EB-5 Direct investment minimum
Verified 15 March 2022 · USCIS — EB-5 →
How long it takes
18 months – 4.9 years
I-526/I-526E adjudication: 18–60 months typical. Reserved set-asides (rural, high-unemployment, infrastructure) process faster than unreserved categories.
Verified 1 June 2026 · USCIS — Case Processing Times →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival on H-1B (3 years) → PERM + I-140 (1-2 years) → I-485 / Green Card (current for most categories, 7-15+ years for India EB-2) → citizenship at PR+5 years.
Leads to Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card), then U.S. citizenship (naturalisation).
Routes that fit investors
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Permanent residence through investment in a new US commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Conditional 2-year residence leading to unconditional permanent residence.
E-2 Treaty Investor
Non-immigrant treaty investor visa for nationals of countries with a qualifying treaty of commerce and navigation with the US.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Initial up to 2 years at port of entry (5-year visa stamp for many nationalities); renewable indefinitely.
Figures by route
Verified salary floor and processing window per matched route, each primary-sourced. Indicative, not legal advice.
| Route | Salary floor | Processing | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program | US$1,050,000/yr | 18 months – 4.9 years | Yes |
| E-2 Treaty Investor | — | 2 weeks – 4 months | No |
Frequently asked questions
Which visa routes suit investors moving to United States of America?+
United States of America has 2 routes that commonly fit investors: EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, E-2 Treaty Investor. The best fit depends on whether you already have an employer sponsor, your salary, and your qualifications — open any route below for its full eligibility criteria and primary government source.
Do investors need a job offer to move to United States of America?+
Not always. 2 of the 2 matched United States of America routes can be pursued without an employer sponsoring you (such as the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program), while 0 need a sponsoring employer or a confirmed job offer. If you do not yet have an offer, start with the no-sponsor routes.
Can investors settle permanently in United States of America?+
Yes. 1 of the 2 matched routes leads toward settlement or permanent residence, while the others are temporary or transitional. Permanent-residence timelines vary by route, so check the settlement detail on each visa page.
What salary do investors need for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program in United States of America?+
The EB-5 Direct investment minimum floor is US$1,050,000/yr, effective 15 March 2022 (USCIS — EB-5). Your occupation's published going rate may bind higher — whichever is greater applies.
How long does the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program take to process?+
The typical published decision window is 18 months – 4.9 years (USCIS — Case Processing Times, verified 1 June 2026).