EN

EB-5 Visa to the USA

Obtaining an EB-5 golden visa to the USA is one of the simplest ways to relocate to the country with your entire family.
Minimum investment amount
$800,000
Document validity period
2 years
Processing time
from 18 months

EB-5 investor visa in the USA

The EB-5 visa is a programme that facilitates investor immigration in the USA. It allows foreign nationals to get a green card. The primary condition is that the foreigner must invest in a business. The minimum amount is $800,000. Additionally, the creation of at least 10 jobs for U.S. citizens or residents is required.

Unlike the E2 business visa to the USA, the EB-5 immigrant investor programme in the USA is available to citizens of any country. The application process consists of the following steps:

  1. Preliminary candidate screening to identify and mitigate risks of rejection.
  2. Document preparation.
  3. Actual investment.
  4. Application review.
  5. Arrival in the country and submission of the I-485 petition.
  6. Obtaining a conditional green card.

The EB-5 investment visa in the USA grants successful candidates and their families the right to reside, work, and study in the country. Moreover, they can eventually apply for U.S. citizenship.

Benefits of the EB-5 investor visa in the USA

Green card by investment

Simplified issuance rules

No age restrictions

Relocation with the entire family

U.S. passport in 5 years

Dual citizenship in the USA

Visa-free travel to 185+ countries

No language requirement

No need for continuous residence

Bank accounts in American banks

Access to quality healthcare

Education at top universities

Reduced tuition costs

Obtaining a U.S. driving licence

Opportunity to start a business

Return on investment in 5–7 years

Visa-free travel with countries

USA
USA
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Canada
Canada
Norway
Norway
Switzerland
Switzerland
Germany
Germany
France
France
Spain
Spain
Sweden
Sweden
Finland
Finland

Requirements for EB-5 to the USA

Key requirements of the USA residency & citizenship by investment programme include:

  • Investing at least $800,000 in a business.
  • Creating a minimum of 10 jobs.

The investments must be at risk. Additionally, the investor must have a clean criminal record and prove the lawful origin of the invested funds.

Process for obtaining U.S. residency and citizenship through the EB-5 visa

1-2 months

Preliminary screening

The first step in obtaining a residence permit in the USA by investment is the preliminary screening. At this stage, the investor needs to ensure they meet the aforementioned requirements.
1 month

Meeting investment requirements

Investing a minimum amount: $800,000 in targeted employment areas or $1.05 million in other areas; and creating 10 jobs for residents of the country.
1 month

Preparation of documents for the EB-5 visa

Once the preliminary screening is successfully completed and the funds are invested, a package of documents must be prepared, including:

  • Current and expired documents proving the identity and family status of the applicant and dependents.
  • Financial statements proving the lawful source of funds (tax returns, bank statements).
  • Documents proving the investment (contracts, bank transfers, receipts).
  • Documents proving the creation of 10 new jobs.

The applicant submits the petition using Form I-526/I-526E to the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

1 month

Review of the investor’s application

USCIS specialists review all provided documents to confirm the applicant’s compliance with the programme requirements. This process can take several months.

Upon approval, if the candidate is outside the United States, they submit Form DS-260 to obtain a U.S. immigration investor visa through the consulate. If the candidate is already in the country, they submit Form I-485 to adjust their status to a conditional permanent resident.

2 months

Obtaining resident status

Once the petition is approved, the investor and their family members receive temporary residence in the USA, valid for 2 years. During this period, they must continue to meet the programme requirements. Then, within 90 days before the end of the 2-year conditional status, they submit the I-829 petition to obtain permanent residence visas for the entire family. After this, they can reside and work in the country on a permanent basis.

1 month

Obtaining USA citizenship in 5 years

U.S. citizenship by investment can be obtained 5 years after acquiring permanent resident status, provided the foreign national has lived in the country for at least half of this period. To do this, they must:

  • Submit an application for naturalisation using Form N-400.
  • Pass an interview and a test covering English language proficiency, U.S. government structure, and basic U.S. history.
  • Take the Oath of Allegiance.

Visa-free entry to 185+ countries with a U.S. passport

A U.S. passport allows visa-free entry to more than 185 countries worldwide, including popular destinations such as:

  • United Kingdom
  • Spain
  • Australia
  • Italy
  • France
  • South Korea
  • Germany
  • Singapore

Investor expenses in the USA – starting from $800,000

The total investment amount depends on the location of the business project. If it is situated in a targeted employment area, the required investment is $800,000. For businesses located outside these areas, the investor must contribute at least $1.05 million. The possibility of recovering the investment arises after completing the investment cycle, which lasts from 5 to 7 years.

The approximate breakdown of the cost of the EB-5 visa to the USA and obtaining residency is as follows:

Expense ItemAmount
Direct Investment from $800,000
Regional Centre Administration Fee $50,000–$80,000
I-526/I-526E Filing Fee $11,160 per family
I-526E Integrity Fund Fee $1,000
I-485 Filing Fee $1,440 per applicant aged 14 and over, $950 per applicant under 14
Green Card Application Processing Fee $325 + $120 per applicant
I-829 Filing Fee $9,525
Biometric Services Fee $85
Medical Examination $200–$500 depending on the country of origin
Totalfrom $873,855

Countries eligible for the EB-5 visa to the USA

Citizens of any country in the world can qualify for U.S. immigration by investment through the EB-5 visa programme, including those from China, India, Russia, and Brazil. However, capital coming from certain countries may require additional scrutiny.

FAQ

How much does the U.S. EB-5 visa cost?
The cost depends on the investment region. In targeted employment areas, the minimum investment amount is $800,000, while outside these areas it is from $1.05 million. Additional fees and charges for processing your documents for U.S. residence by investment can amount to $73,855 or more.
How long does it take to get an EB-5 visa in the USA?
The EB-5 visa processing time in the USA is typically 18 to 24 months.
How long can you stay in the USA with an EB-5 visa?
The United States investor visa is issued for 2 years.
How to get an EB-5 visa in the USA?
The main requirements are an investment of at least $800,000 in the American economy and the creation of at least 10 jobs within 2 years after the investment.
What does the EB-5 visa provide to the investor?
The visa holder receives a green card, which allows them to live, work, and study anywhere in the country. They can then apply for citizenship after 5 years of legal residence.
Is moving to the USA possible through investment in a business?
It is. You must have an EB-5 investor visa to move to the USA. To do this, the investor must invest the required amount in a business project and create at least 10 jobs.
Who can obtain an EB-5 visa along with the investor?
The applicant’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age can also obtain U.S. investment visas.
How long do you need to live in the USA to obtain citizenship?
To obtain USA citizenship by the investment programme, you must live in the country for at least 5 years as a permanent resident.
What conditions must be met to obtain an EB-5 visa when investing in your own company in the USA?
  • The investments must be at risk, meaning their return cannot be guaranteed.
  • The initial investment amount is $1.05 million in regular regions and $800,000 in targeted employment areas (rural areas or areas with high unemployment rates).
  • Creation of 10 new, full-time jobs.
What requirements must an EB-5 programme participant meet?
The investor must:
  • Be capable of entering into legally binding contracts, which typically means being of legal age.
  • Have no criminal record.
  • Prove that the invested funds were obtained and transferred to the country legally.
What is a regional centre?
A regional centre is an organisation that coordinates and develops projects aimed at economic growth, job creation, and improved productivity in a specific region of the country.
What are the conditions for investors in regional centre projects?
A foreign national investing through a regional centre programme can benefit from simplified job creation requirements and receive more structured support throughout the investment and visa acquisition process.
How much must be invested to participate in the U.S. EB-5 immigrant investor programme in 2024?
To participate in the programme and obtain an EB-5 visa in the USA, the minimum investment must be $1.05 million or $800,000 if the project is located in a rural area needing development or an area with a high unemployment rate.

Contact US

Send
Share
Send