An EB-5 visa, also known as an immigrant investor green card, allows foreign investors to obtain permanent residency in the United States in exchange for a substantial investment in the country.
This visa, also known as the employment-based fifth preference green card category, is currently subject to a cap of 10,000 visas per year. To be eligible for this visa, an EB-5 immigrant investor must invest at least $800,000 in a rural employment area (TEA) or $1,050,000 in another commercial venture.
In 1990, Congress created the EB-5 visa program to stimulate the U.S. economy by attracting foreign investors who would create jobs with their increased domestic capital investment. In 1992, the Immigrant Investor Program (also known as the Regional Program) was created by Congress to provide EB-5 visas to investors in commercial ventures associated with regional centers approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These regional centers are approved by the USCIS if their submitted proposals promote economic growth in the United States.
It is an investor-based visa/Green Card route in the United States that allows foreign investors to obtain permanent residency by making a significant investment in a U.S. commercial enterprise.
The page explains that the minimum investment amounts depend on project type: US$ 1,050,000 for standard investments or US$ 800,000 when the investment is made in a “Targeted Employment Area” (TEA) (high-unemployment or rural area).
The investor must create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers as a part of the eligible investment into a U.S. commercial enterprise.
The program allows the investor’s spouse and unmarried children under age 21 to also obtain permanent residence along with the investor, if all conditions are met.
The page indicates that under the EB‑5 Reform and Integrity Act (signed in 2022) the rules for the EB-5 program, including those for Regional Centers and TEAs, were updated for greater integrity and oversight.
The page suggests two broad paths: investing directly in a “new commercial enterprise” you manage, or investing via a designated “Regional Center” which pools funds and may count indirect job creation.
The investor must ensure that the funds are lawfully obtained («legal source of funds») and the investment must be “at risk” (not guaranteed return) and the job-creation requirements must be met. Non-compliance can lead to denial of the visa/Green Card.
