The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is one of the very few direct paths to a U.S. Green Card that do not involve family sponsorship. While many other U.S. immigration programs require applicants to possess outstanding professional skills, own a business, or fulfill other strict criteria, the EB-5 visa is open to applicants of all nationalities. More importantly, many of these other immigration options are highly uncertain and require wait times of several years. For instance, applicants typically have very low chances of immigrating through the H-1B visa lottery.
In contrast, EB-5 visa applicants can be granted conditional Green Cards relatively quickly. This allows them to live, work, and study in the United States even before their immigration process is finalized. These benefits also extend to an EB-5 investor’s spouse and children under 21, who receive Green Cards at no additional cost. Moreover, EB-5 visa holders are not subject to restrictions regarding their employment, academic pursuits, or other conditions typically set by non-immigrant visa programs.
The EB-5 visa is also the best way for holders of non-immigrant visas—such as the F-1, H-1B, and E-2 categories—to adjust their immigration status and transition to a permanent Green Card.
EB-5 Investors Need to Stay Informed
Learn About the EB-5 Program With Our 400+ FAQs
Popular EB-5 FAQs
Get Started on the EB-5 Immigration Process with EB5AN
EB-5 Investors Need to Stay Informed
Despite its position as the premier immigration pathway to the United States, making an EB-5 investment does involve a degree of risk for investors. USCIS policies do not guarantee that an applicant will receive an EB-5 Green Card after making an investment. Rather, EB-5 applicants and the projects in which they invest must fulfill a set of specific USCIS criteria to remain eligible.
Immigrating successfully and receiving a permanent Green Card ultimately depends on an investor’s compliance with USCIS requirements, the foremost of which include maintaining the funds “at-risk” for a specified period and creating at least 10 jobs as a result of the investment.
EB-5 investors also face financial risk, as USCIS does not allow EB-5 projects to issue their investors contractual rights to repayment or similar guarantees. If an EB-5 project does not reach completion successfully or encounters financial difficulties, its EB-5 investors are unlikely to receive a timely return on their capital.
These conditions underscore the importance of understanding the EB-5 program’s policies before starting the immigration process.
As a result, foreign nationals interested in the EB-5 visa typically have numerous questions about the eligibility requirements, the minimum investment amount, the length of the process, and other details.
At the same time, there are very few online resources that dispense reliable, up-to-date information on the EB-5 program. Certain EB-5 firms may make misleading claims, such as promising investors that they are “guaranteed” to obtain a Green Card or receive a return on their capital.
Other firms fail to update their content regularly, which is crucial in the ever-changing regulatory environment of the EB-5 program. And much of the available information on the EB-5 program is presented in a highly technical format that can be challenging for individuals outside the field of immigration law.
Learn About the EB-5 Program With Our 400+ FAQs
To fulfill EB-5 investors’ need for a current, accessible source of information about the EB-5 program, EB5AN is pleased to introduce its newly-updated FAQ page.
Our more than 400 FAQ entries provide detailed answers to EB-5 investors’ most common questions on a wide variety of topics, including the basics of the EB-5 program, how to select a safe EB-5 project, how to create the required jobs, and how to prove that the investment funds were sourced lawfully.
Other EB-5 professionals, such as immigration attorneys, regional center operators, project developers, and promoters, can also benefit from our concise explanation of various aspects of the EB-5 program.
EB5AN’s goal is to make sure every EB-5 investor has access to transparent information that will allow them to make informed decisions regarding their immigration goals.
The following list features some of the most popular categories and questions in our FAQ bank.
Popular EB-5 FAQs
Personal Investor Requirements
- What financial requirements does the EB-5 program have for investors?
- Is age a factor in EB-5 eligibility?
- Can someone with a salary of less than $200,000 apply for the EB-5 program?
EB-5 Project Selection/Diligence
- How can EB-5 investors make sure that a project is a good investment?
- How can EB-5 investors make sure that their investments will succeed?
- How quickly can an investor obtain an EB-5 visa and enter the United States?
- How safe is the EB-5 program?
Family Member Treatment
- What happens if a dependent child turns 21 before the I-526E petition is approved?
- How does the EB-5 program work for married couples?
Source of Funds
- Can an EB-5 investment comprise funds from multiple sources?
- What specific documentation is needed to prove source of funds?
- In the case of a loan or gift, who must prove that the funds were sourced lawfully?
Investor USCIS Filings
Click Here to View All 400+ FAQs
Get Started on the EB-5 Immigration Process with EB5AN
As one of the leading regional center operators and consultancies in the EB-5 industry, EB5AN is in a unique position to guide investors through the immigration process. Our projects have enjoyed a 100% USCIS approval rate, with more than 2,000 investors on the way to a U.S. Green Card. Our EB-5 offerings represent more than $1 billion in project development.
We invite you to schedule a free consultation with EB5AN to determine how to get started on the path to an EB-5 visa. Our team’s ample experience in immigration law and EB-5 compliance will help you find the safest investment opportunities to begin your family’s journey to a U.S. Green Card.
