United States of America · investor
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Permanent residence through investment in a new US commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs.
Last reviewed:
Overview
The EB-5 immigrant investor program grants conditional permanent residence for qualifying investment in a new US commercial enterprise. The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 set the standard minimum investment at USD 1,050,000, reduced to USD 800,000 for Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) and infrastructure projects. Set-aside visa categories (rural, high-unemployment, infrastructure) provide faster pathways for qualifying regional-center projects.
Processing time
I-526E/I-526: varies widely by set-aside category (rural set-aside typically faster).
See source window: 1.5 years – 4.9 years →Government fees
I-526/I-526E USD 11,160; I-829 USD 9,525; plus regional-center or direct-project fees set privately.
Typical duration
Conditional 2-year residence leading to unconditional permanent residence.
Primary source
USCIS — EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
Minimum qualifying investment of USD 1,050,000, or USD 800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area or infrastructure project.
Investment into a new commercial enterprise (formed or restructured post 29 November 1990).
Creation of at least 10 full-time US jobs (directly, or indirectly if invested through a regional center).
Common blockers
Insufficient documentation of lawful source and path of funds.
Investment loaned on non-arm’s-length terms or not truly at risk.
Typical evidence
Bank statements, tax returns, and loan documents tracing source of funds.
Business plan compliant with Matter of Ho for direct cases.
Private-placement memorandum and escrow agreements for regional-center cases.
Application pathway
Step 1
Select project and file I-526E (regional-center) or I-526 (direct)
Investor files petition demonstrating capital at risk and job creation.
Step 2
Obtain conditional permanent residence
Adjust status or consular process once priority date is current.
Step 3
File I-829 within 90 days before conditional residence expires
Demonstrate job creation and sustained investment.
Step 4
Receive unconditional permanent residence
Pathway to naturalisation follows.
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Frequently asked questions
What changed with the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA)?
RIA, signed March 2022, re-authorised the regional-center program, increased oversight, set new minimum investment levels (USD 800,000 TEA / USD 1,050,000 standard), introduced set-aside visa categories (20% rural, 10% high-unemployment, 2% infrastructure), and added integrity measures for regional centers.
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