Non-immigrant U.S. visas such as H-1Bs, F-1s, E-2s, and others are temporary. If you hold such a visa, you will have to renew it periodically in order to remain in the United States. And if you cease to qualify—for example, due to job loss—you and your family may have to leave the country on short notice.
In contrast, making an EB-5 investment allows you to get employment and travel documents in as fast as 30 days. Both of these documents are valid until your EB-5 petition is processed, granting you the freedom to remain in the United States.
Your dependent family members are also eligible to receive employment authorization documents (EADs) and advance parole (AP) travel documents.
EB-5 investors who already live in the United States qualify for EADs and APs upon adjusting their immigration status.
In a January 2025 webinar, EB5AN VP Ahmed Khan explains how long EADs and APs are valid and who they cover. Watch the webinar excerpt or read the article below to discover how you and your family could get EADs and APs in a matter of days through adjustment of status.
Watch the Full Webinar
Benefits of an EAD and an AP
How Long Are EADs and APs Valid? Who Qualifies for EADs and APs?
Get Work and Travel Permits Quickly After Investing
Benefits of an EAD and an AP
An EAD offers broad work authorization in the United States, with few restrictions. While waiting for a Green Card, the EAD provides EB-5 investors with nearly the same work benefits as a Green Card.
With an EAD under the (c)(9) category, you can work anywhere in the U.S., including for yourself.
The timeline for receiving an EAD (and an AP) can vary. In some cases, these documents arrive within a month after filing the application, while in others, it may take six to eight months. The exact timing depends on USCIS processing times, which can be unpredictable. However, most applicants receive these benefits within a few weeks or months of applying.
An EAD provides significant advantages compared to other visa categories. It allows for complete flexibility in employment.
With an EAD, you can hold multiple jobs, work for yourself, or start your own business while maintaining other employment. For example, you could work a traditional job during the day and have another part-time job at night. Alternatively, you could pursue a startup while remaining employed at a larger company.
These options are not available under more restrictive visa statuses like H-1B, L-1, E-2, E-1, TN, or F-1 OPT, which tie employment to a specific job or employer.
An EAD removes these limitations, giving you the freedom to work how and where you choose.
Another significant benefit of the EAD is that it allows you to obtain a Social Security number (SSN). While many individuals in the U.S. on working visas already have an SSN, those who don’t can get one with the EAD. An SSN simplifies life in the U.S. It enables you to open bank accounts, access credit opportunities, and apply for loans. For instance, obtaining a mortgage for a house becomes easier when you have an SSN. It also establishes you as a taxpayer, which streamlines various aspects of living and working in the U.S.
In addition to an EAD, the AP is usually received either as a combo card or as a separate document. An AP grants permission to leave and re-enter the United States without the need for a visa re-stamping process. This is particularly beneficial for individuals whose current visa, such as an H-1B, has expired. For instance, if you are from India or China and find it challenging to secure an overseas appointment for visa stamping, advance parole removes the hassle. You can travel internationally and return to the U.S. without needing to go through the stamping process.
Many people ask if an AP is the same as a visa. Essentially, it is.
APs grant advanced permission to leave and re-enter the United States. While Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may occasionally subject travelers using advance parole to secondary processing, there is no legal basis for denying entry solely because someone is traveling on advance parole.
APs allow the freedom to travel anywhere in the world for which you have the necessary visa or travel authorization. Upon return, there is no need to worry about obtaining a new visa stamp for your current status in the U.S.
How Long Are EADs and APs Valid? Who Qualifies for EADs and APs?
The validity period for these documents has improved recently. USCIS updated its policy last year to issue EADs with a validity of five years. APs are now often granted for this same five-year duration. For most EB-5 investors, particularly those in rural projects, this timeframe aligns with the approximate timeline to receive a Green Card.
The EAD and AP can be extended as many times as needed until your Green Card is issued. Even in extreme cases where the Green Card process takes over a decade—such as 12 years—the EAD and advance parole can bridge the entire waiting period. This would involve two extensions: the initial five years, a second five years, and possibly a third term. Typically, the Green Card would be granted during this extended period.
These benefits extend to the entire dependent family included in the EB-5 application. This includes spouses and children, as long as the children are of legal working age. Children too young to work would not receive an EAD but are still covered under APs.
Get Work and Travel Permits Quickly After Investing
For a limited time, EB-5 investors have the opportunity to gain EADs and APs in a very short time. To learn how you and your family could qualify, schedule a free consultation with EB5AN. This may be your best opportunity to secure your future in the United States.
