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EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa: USA Green Card by Investment
Quick answer: The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program gives a US green card to investors who put at least USD 1,050,000, or USD 800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project, into a US business that creates at least 10 full-time jobs. Investors, spouses and unmarried children under 21 receive conditional green cards first.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), provides a pathway to U.S. permanent residence (Green Card) for foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs for U.S. workers.
The standard minimum investment requirement is $1,050,000, which is reduced to $800,000 if the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) — a rural area or an area with high unemployment. The investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers.
Investors can choose to invest directly in a new commercial enterprise or through a USCIS-designated Regional Center, which pools investments to fund larger projects. The Regional Center program offers a more passive investment approach and allows indirect job creation to count toward the job creation requirement.
Successful EB-5 investors and their immediate family members (spouse and unmarried children under 21) are granted conditional permanent residence for two years. Before the end of the conditional period, the investor must file a petition to remove conditions and demonstrate that the investment was sustained and the jobs were created.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an EB-5 backlog for Indians?
India has faced visa retrogression in some EB-5 categories. Set-aside categories (rural, high-unemployment, infrastructure) can be faster. Check the current Visa Bulletin.
Can my children study in the US on EB-5?
Yes. Green card holders pay resident tuition at many public universities.
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