The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program was created in 1990 by the United States Congress to stimulate the U.S. economy through foreign investment and create jobs for U.S. workers. The EB-5 visa program is administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and provides each participating foreign investor the opportunity to obtain a green card by investing in a new commercial enterprise in the United States that creates 10 jobs for U.S. workers. The current minimum investment amount is $800,000 provided the project is in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) and is $1.05 million in other areas.

Unlike the other employment-based visas, there are no eligibility requirements for the EB-5 visa. Investors will not require any sponsorship to apply. Further, there are no language, business management, or educational requirements.

There are two primary requirements to obtain an EB-5 visa: (i) a minimum investment requirement, and (ii) a job creation requirement. Depending on the location of the project, the investment amount can either be $800,000 or $1,800,000. The investment must be in an active, for-profit business and it must result in the creation of 10 full-time jobs per EB-5 investor.

Status and consideration for the EB-5 visa is extended to a primary applicant’s spouse and children under the age of 21 who are unmarried.