General program requirements

There are two investment routes:

$800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). This is typically a rural area which has a high rate of unemployment. The investment must be made in a government-approved program (Regional Centers).

$1.05 million outside a TEA. The applicant can invest in another company/enterprise of their choice or create a new company. The investment must show it has created at least 10 jobs, either directly or indirectly. The indirect jobs may be through a third party supply chain.

$3,675 per applicant administration fee. Dependents may be added to the application which can include a spouse, children under 21 and unmarried.

Program benefits

• Path to citizenship;
• Minimal physical presence requirements;
• Permits dual/multiple citizenship;
• Enhanced education opportunities;
• Enhanced business access to large economies;
• English as official language

Requirements to qualify for citizenship

The initial conditional Green Card is issued for 2 years. After completed the 2 year period, the applicants may apply for an unconditional Green Card if they meet the criteria for the business. i.e. the investment has been retained and the employment criteria are being adhered to, if applicable.

After 5 years of physical presence (183 days per annum) on the Green Card (first conditional and then unconditional), the applicant may apply for citizenship through naturalization. Effectively, it will take a minimum of 5 years to become a citizen through the EB-5 program.

Prospective citizens must also pass a US Civics test, in English. If an applicant passes, he will swear an oath of allegiance to the United States of America.

Applications for this program may be directed to:

US Citizenship and Immigration Department 

Legislation upon which this program is based:

ALIENS AND NATIONALITY ACT CHAPTER 12: 1153: Allocation of immigrant visas (5) Employment creation

See more statistics on this program, and dozens of others, in the IMI Data Center.