EB-5 Investor Visa — green card via investment ($800K minimum)
EB-5 Investor Visa: $800K-$1.05M investment in US business creating 10 jobs. Direct investment vs Regional Center (passive). 24-36 month timeline. Family included. Path to green card and citizenship.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa allows foreign nationals to obtain US green cards by investing in a US business that creates jobs for US workers. Created by Congress in 1990 to stimulate the US economy through foreign investment.
Official USCIS Fee (effective 2024-04-01)
Verified source: Federal Register 2024-01427
Filing fee
- Fee: $11,160
EB-5 Regional Center investor petition
Verify current fee
⚠️ USCIS fees can change. Verify the current fee before filing at:
- USCIS Fee Calculator — official tool
- USCIS Form G-1055 — full schedule
Two investment levels
Standard Investment: $1,050,000 (2024 figures)
In any US business creating 10 full-time jobs for US workers.
Targeted Employment Area (TEA): $800,000
In businesses located in:
- High unemployment area (150%+ of national average)
- Rural area (population under 20,000)
TEA provides $250,000 discount but limits where you can invest.
Two participation models
Direct Investment
You actively manage the business yourself:
- More control
- More risk
- Requires hands-on business experience
- 10 direct full-time employees required
- Typical examples: hotels, manufacturing, agribusiness
Regional Center (passive)
You invest in a USCIS-approved Regional Center project:
- Passive investment (no hands-on management)
- 10 jobs can be direct + INDIRECT + INDUCED (much easier to count)
- Typical examples: large real estate, infrastructure, industrial parks
- Currently SUSPENDED periodically — verify status
Eligibility
- Source of funds documented as lawful (most rigorous part)
- Investment is “at risk” — could lose money in business venture
- 10 jobs created OR maintained for US workers (employees)
- Lawful immigrant intent
- Cannot be involved in fraudulent activity
The process
Phase 1: Investment + I-526E filing (12-24 months)
- Choose investment (direct or Regional Center)
- Document source of funds (this takes 6-12 months — bank records, tax returns, gift letters, sale records)
- Make investment ($800K-$1.05M)
- File Form I-526E (Immigrant Petition by Investor) with USCIS
- Wait for I-526E approval (12-24 months)
Phase 2: Conditional green card
After I-526E approved:
- Apply for conditional permanent residency
- If outside US: consular processing (DS-260)
- If in US legally: AOS via I-485
- Receive 2-year conditional green card
Phase 3: Remove conditions (after 21 months)
- Form I-829 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Status)
- Filed 90 days before conditional green card expires
- USCIS verifies: jobs created/maintained, investment sustained, business continues
- If approved: permanent (10-year) green card
Phase 4: Naturalization
- 5 years after initial green card date
- Form N-400, $760 fee
- Same as any other naturalization
Family included
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 receive derivative green cards. They get:
- Green cards
- Work authorization
- Path to citizenship
- US education at in-state tuition rates
Cost breakdown (2024)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Investment | $800,000 - $1,050,000 |
| USCIS Filing Fees (I-526E, I-485, I-829) | ~$13,000-$15,000 |
| Immigration attorney | $25,000-$75,000 |
| Source of funds documentation/accountants | $5,000-$25,000 |
| Business setup costs (direct only) | $50,000-$500,000+ |
| Total | $830,000 - $1,250,000+ |
Critical risks
- Investment fails — you may lose money
- USCIS denies I-526E — you may lose investment + filing fees
- Jobs aren’t created — green card not approved at I-829
- Fraudulent operator — some Regional Centers have been scams
What to AVOID
- Buying a “shelf company” to make it look like you invested
- Investing in unverified Regional Centers (check USCIS approved list)
- Hiding source of funds — biggest cause of denials
- Returning funds to investor before 5+ years — violates “at risk” requirement
- Hiring family members as the 10 employees (must be unrelated US workers)
Resources
- USCIS EB-5 page: uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-fifth-preference-eb-5/about-the-eb-5-immigrant-investor-program
- EB-5 Regional Center search: uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-fifth-preference-eb-5/immigrant-investor-regional-centers
- Invest in the USA (industry association): iiusa.org
Last verified: 2026-05-25.
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Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — passport renewal, consular ID, document apostille
- ITIN — file federal taxes without SSN — required regardless of immigration status
- USCIS form library — federal immigration forms (I-130, I-485, N-400, etc.)
- Find an immigration attorney — pro bono lists + AILA + BIA-recognized
- Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections
General procedural information based on official sources. Not personalized legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.