The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program or the EB-5 Visa Program, is an Employment based visa giving direct access to US permanent residency in a short period of time. This visa was introduced in 1990. This visa was introduced to attract the foreign investors and business people who can invest the substantial capital to finance the business in the US.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program – An Overview
The EB-5 Visa Program, monitored by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Immigrant Investor Program, is built in a way that eases out the pathway for investors to invest in the country.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Requirements
-
- 1) Investments are made in a commercial enterprise. Following are the EB-5 minimum investment requirements:
- An amount of USD 1,050,000 is to be invested in a project which is non-targeted employment area
- An investment of USD 800,000 has to be invested in the targeted employment area or a place where unemployment is high.
- 2) As per the EB-5 job creation requirements a plan is created or preserved to at least create 10 full time jobs for the US workers who are qualified.
- 1) Investments are made in a commercial enterprise. Following are the EB-5 minimum investment requirements:
In addition to the above things, the person has to prove the legal way of funds.
Also, after the applicant receives the permanent residency or known as green card, the invested amount shall stay invested for a period of three to seven years depending on the nature of the project.
It is to be noted that, the applicants receive a temporary green card for a period of two years ensuring the jobs are in fact created and were kept intact. The activities that can be done in a green card remain the same even if it is turned from temporary to permanent green card.
Cost of EB-5 visa
While one looks to apply for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, they ought to bear the cost of the visa. It costs somewhere in between USD 21,130 and USD 22,225. This depends on the fact that an applicant has filed their application from within the US or outside of the country. These costs include:
1) Filing Fees
a) Form I-526: USD 11,160
b) Form I-485: USD 1,440 (this is for people who are applying from within US)
c) Form I-829: USD 9,525
d) Form DS-260: USD 325 (this is for applicants who are applying from outside of the US)
e) Support Fee Affidavit: USD 120
2) Additional Costs
a) Admin Fee of Regional Center: Varies, but it is negotiable
b) Legal Fees for corporate: Varies case by case
c) Expenses for Business Plan: Revolves around USD 5000
d) Fees for translation: Document translation expenses
e) Application fees for green card: For people over 14 years of age it is USD 1,225 per person and for people under the age of 14 years it is USD 750 or USD 1,140 per person.
Process for EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
An applicant, while they apply for the visa, has to adhere to the process set by the US government. This ensures not only the process goes smooth but also helps the investors that everything is prepared while they land in the States. Following is the process:
1) Qualifying for Investments
As an investor, an applicant should have a budget of investments that are to be made in the country. The amount of the same mentioned in the requirements section of the page with the conditions.
2) Filing of the I-526 Petition
The applicant has to form I-526 which is the Immigrants Petition by Alien Investor. This is to be filed with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Upon approval of the application, the applicants with their family members receive the temporary green card.
3) Removing Conditions to Green Card
The conditions on green card(s) will remain for two years and within these two years, the investments have to be maintained. Just three months before the conditions are about to expire the applicants have to file the I-829 form. This form helps to remove conditions on green card and it turns into a permanent residency.
EB-5 visa processing times in 2025
The processing time of the EB 5 visa depends or varies as per the stage in which the application is. But generally speaking, for the form I-526 petitions it takes about 29.5 months to 61 months of processing. Also for the form I-829 it takes about 22 months to 48.5 months.
Benefits of EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
While an applicant applies for this U.S. investor visa, he or she shall know the benefits this visa has to offer to them. These benefits help attract the investors to the United States of America.
1) One of the best ways to gain a green card or permanent residency in the US.
2) The spouses and children under the age of 21 can be included in this visa.
3) Very minimal requirements and no business experience is required or specific language requirements are necessary.
4) Flexibility in physical presence.
5) Applicants staying in the country for a minimum of 5 years can gain citizenship.
All in all, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program or the EB-5 Visa Program is one of the best programs to apply if you are an investor and you look to expand the business for greater good.
Frequently Asked Questions
