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Everything about the EB-5 path, in one place.
THE COMPLETE EB-5 GUIDE
Follow the path
Each step links to a page that already exists in the site. No new pages added here.
A plain explanation of the EB-5 program and the eligibility rules every applicant must meet. The Who EB-5 Is For page lists the core criteria and the path matched to your visa or family situation.
What makes a project qualify for EB-5: it must be a new commercial enterprise that creates the required jobs, often in a Targeted Employment Area. See the project we currently have open for investment, Airabella Lake Oconee.
The full EB-5 timeline, from filing your I-526E petition to removing conditions with the I-829. See current processing times and what happens at each stage. This is its own page.
Your capital must be lawfully earned and fully traceable from its origin to your investment. Source of funds is often the main reason petitions are denied, so confirm your documentation is complete before you file. The check shows where you stand in about five minutes.
If you already hold a valid U.S. visa, concurrent filing lets you submit your green card application at the same time as your I-526E. This can give you a work and travel permit while you wait.
OVERVIEW
What the EB-5 program is
EB-5 is a U.S. immigrant investor program created by Congress in 1990. Foreign nationals can obtain lawful permanent residence by investing in a qualifying U.S. business that creates at least 10 jobs for American workers. It is one of the few immigration routes that leads directly to a green card, requires no employer sponsorship, and allows investors to include immediate family on their petition. The program was substantially reformed by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, and the Regional Center program is currently authorized through September 30, 2027, unless Congress extends or amends it.
ELIGIBILITY
Who can qualify
Open to investors of any nationality, with no minimum education, language, or business experience requirement. Anyone can apply provided they meet the program’s eligibility and documentation requirements. The core requirements are to invest the qualifying amount of lawfully sourced capital into a new commercial enterprise, place that capital genuinely at risk, and create at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs. A spouse and unmarried children under 21 are included on the petition.
INVESTMENT AMOUNT
How much you invest
$800,000
Targeted Employment Area projects, which cover rural, high-unemployment, and eligible infrastructure projects.
$1,050,000
Standard projects outside a Targeted Employment Area.
These amounts were set by the 2022 reforms and hold through fiscal year 2026, with the next inflation adjustment not expected before early 2027. Petitions filed on or before September 30, 2026 are grandfathered under current rules, even if minimums later increase.
JOB CREATION
The 10-job requirement
Each investment must create or preserve at least 10 permanent, full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers, maintained for at least two years. Direct investments require the business itself to hire the workers. Regional center investments may count direct, indirect, and induced jobs using USCIS-approved economic models.
10+
full-time U.S. jobs created per investment
TIMELINE
How long it takes
The full journey involves three main filings and can take three to six years or more, depending on project type and country of birth. The path runs from the I-526E petition, to a two-year conditional green card obtained through adjustment of status in the U.S. or consular processing abroad, to the I-829 petition that removes conditions and grants permanent residence.
I-526E petition
Around 29 to 30 months for regional center cases as of mid-2026.
Conditional green card
Two-year status via adjustment of status or consular processing.
I-829 petition
Around 20 months to remove conditions and gain permanent residence.
Rural projects benefit from priority processing and are the fastest track for most investors. Investors already in the U.S. in valid status may file for adjustment of status concurrently with the I-526E when a visa number is available, enabling work and travel authorization while the case is pending.
RISKS TO UNDERSTAND
Know the risks before you invest
EB-5 is an investment, and like any investment, it carries risk. Choosing a well-structured project with a strong track record is the most important decision you will make. Immigration outcomes carry their own timing risk. The number of EB-5 visas available each year is limited by country of birth, so investors from high-demand countries such as India and China can face longer waits in the unreserved category. The reserved set-aside categories of rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure were created to ease this pressure and currently remain available to investors from every country, though availability can shift over time. Petitions can also be delayed or denied, most often because of incomplete source-of-funds documentation. A clean, fully traceable paper trail is the single best protection against requests for evidence and processing setbacks. None of this should discourage a well-prepared investor. It simply means EB-5 rewards careful project selection, thorough documentation, and experienced guidance. This is why we offer end-to-end consultative support for all investors on their petitions.
This information is educational and is not individual immigration or legal advice. Every case is unique, and investors should consult qualified counsel before proceeding.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
EB-5 questions, answered
Tap a question to expand. All answers stay on the page for search and screen readers.
Q
Who can apply?
Investors of any nationality who can invest the required capital from lawful sources and meet the program’s documentation requirements. There is no minimum education, language, or business experience requirement.
Q
How much do I need to invest?
$800,000 for a project in a Targeted Employment Area, or $1,050,000 for a standard project outside one.
Q
Do I need a job offer, sponsor, or business background?
No. EB-5 requires no employer sponsorship and no prior business or management experience.
Q
Can my family get green cards too?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 are included on the same petition and receive green cards alongside you.
Q
How long does it take?
Most investors should plan for three to six years or more, depending on the project and country of birth. Rural projects qualify for priority processing and tend to move fastest.
Q
What is a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)?
A rural area, a high-unemployment area, or an eligible infrastructure project. Investing in a TEA qualifies you for the lower $800,000 amount and a reserved share of visas.
Q
What counts as an acceptable source of funds?
Salary, business profits, the sale of property or investments, savings, loans, inheritance, and gifts can all qualify. What matters most is that the money is lawfully earned and traceable from its origin all the way into the investment.
Q
Can I work and travel while my case is pending?
If you are in the U.S. in valid status and file for adjustment of status, you can typically obtain work and travel authorization within a few months while you wait.
Q
What is a Regional Center, and how is it different from investing directly?
A Regional Center is a USCIS-designated organization that pools investor capital into larger projects. It is the route most investors choose because it allows indirect and induced jobs to count toward the 10-job requirement, rather than requiring you to run a business and hire employees yourself.
Q
What happens if the project fails or my petition is denied?
Because your capital is at risk, a project can lose value, which is why project selection matters so much. Many reputable offerings include refund provisions, such as returning capital if the initial petition is denied. Review each project’s offering documents carefully.
Q
How long does my money need to stay invested?
Under current rules, your investment must remain at risk for at least two years from the date the full amount is deployed. Many projects contractually require a somewhat longer hold.
Q
When can I get my capital back?
Capital is typically returned after the sustainment period is met and the project reaches its exit, often several years in. Timing depends on the specific project structure, not on a fixed program rule.
Q
Does EB-5 lead to U.S. citizenship?
EB-5 leads to a green card. After holding permanent resident status for the required period, generally five years, you may become eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship if you meet all naturalization requirements.
Q
What is the difference between a conditional and a permanent green card?
After approval you first receive a two-year conditional green card. Before it expires you file Form I-829 to show the investment and job creation requirements were met, and once approved you receive a permanent green card.
Q
Why does filing before September 30, 2026 matter?
Petitions filed on or before that date are grandfathered under current rules, which locks in today’s investment amounts and program terms even if they change later.
Q
Can I use gifted or borrowed money to invest?
Yes. Gifts and loans are acceptable, provided the funds are lawfully sourced and you can document the full path from origin to investment. Gifted and borrowed funds usually require additional supporting paperwork.
Q
What is priority processing, and which projects qualify?
Priority processing is faster USCIS adjudication granted to investors in rural projects under the 2022 reforms. It is one reason rural projects are often the quickest path to a green card.