Residency by Investment in USA
- Obtain a U.S. Green Card
- Route to U.S. citizenship
- Live, work and study anywhere in the U.S.
Minimum Investment Amount
$800,000
Processing Time
2 years
Key Residency Benefit
US Green Card
Why is USA a popular investment location?
The United States of America, U.S. for short, is a country made up of 50 states covering the majority of North America. It is the world’s third-largest country in terms of size.
From dry deserts and dense wilderness to large mountain ranges and tropical beaches, the U.S. has one of the most varied landscapes of any country.
Aside from the scenery, the U.S. is known as the ‘Land of Opportunity’ due to the opportunities the country provides for people to achieve personal and professional success.
About the USA Residency by Investment programme
In 1990, U.S. Congress introduced the EB-5 Immigration Investor Visa to stimulate the country’s economy.
The EB-5 Investor Visa allows foreign nationals and their families to become permanent residents in the U.S. and a route to a Green Card by investing in American businesses that create new jobs. Investments start at $1,050,000, or $800,000, if investing in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
The programme is highly successful, granting applicants the chance to live, work and study anywhere in the U.S. It also provides a route to U.S. citizenship after five years.
Discover the ins and outs of this route to a U.S. Green Card
Read our range of in-depth articles and get a better understanding of the EB-5 programme
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What are the Benefits of Residency in the USA?
Visa-free travel to the U.S.
Route to U.S. citizenship after five years
Grants permanent residency status (Green Card)
No visa sponsorship requirement
Live, work and study anywhere in the U.S.
Grants a Green Card to family members
How to obtain Residency in the USA
Live the American Dream
A minimum investment of $1,050,000 is required. This is reduced to $800,000 if the investment is in a designated Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
Applicants can invest in a business directly or through ‘Regional Centers’, which are investment projects approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Other Criteria for the investment to be considered eligible for the EB-5 application include the following:
- The investment must create at least 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers in two years (viewed from the date the applicant receives the conditional residency permit).
- The investment must be considered ‘at-risk’, meaning the investor cannot receive any guarantees or contractual rights for repayment.
Key Benefit of Residency in the USA
The EB-5 Immigration Investor Visa is a highly successful programme introduced by U.S. Congress in 1990 to stimulate economic growth through foreign investments.
It allows foreign investors and their families a route to securing a Green Card and permanent residency in the U.S. This grants the right to live, work and study in the country, as well as leave and enter freely without a visa.
Qualifying children of the investor have the opportunity to enrol in U.S. schools, with access to the same education and higher education as citizens. This includes the possibility of lower university tuition compared to international students.
EB-5 Visa holders also have the option to apply for U.S. citizenship in as little as five years.
Frequently asked questions
Unlike other U.S. Visas, the EB-5 is not linked to family or employment sponsorships. Essentially, the investor acts as their own sponsor.
EB-5 applicants can include family members who will also qualify for a Green Card. Eligible family members include:
- Spouse or legal partner
- Unmarried children under the age of 21 years old
The EB-5 Visa provides permanent residency in the U.S., not citizenship. However, after five years of holding a Green Card, investors can apply for U.S. citizenship status, subject to requirements.
A TEA is defined as a rural area or an area that has experienced high unemployment of at least 150% of the national average. Choosing a location with TEA status allows investors to make a lower capital investment of $800,000 compared to the standard EB-5 investment amount of $1,050,000.
USA EB-5 Application Process
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STEP 1
Your investment is secured, and your application is prepared
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STEP 2
Immigration lawyer files form I-526E
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STEP 3
USCIS approval and 2-year conditional green card issued for investor & family
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STEP 4
Immigration lawyer files I-829, 90 days before expiration of 2-year green card
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STEP 5
Investor obtains unconditional green card status
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STEP 6
Investor & family eligible to file for US Citizenship after applicable
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STEP 7
After requirements have been satisfied, the investor should anticipate repayment of their investment
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STEP 1Your investment is secured, and your application is prepared
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STEP 2Immigration lawyer files form I-526E
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STEP 3USCIS approval and 2-year conditional green card issued for investor & family
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STEP 4Immigration lawyer files I-829, 90 days before expiration of 2-year green card
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STEP 5Investor obtains unconditional green card status
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STEP 6Investor & family eligible to file for US Citizenship after applicable
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STEP 7After requirements have been satisfied, the investor should anticipate repayment of their investment
Which programme is right for you?
| Citizenship or Residency Programme? | Citizenship or Residency Programme?Residency | ||
| Minimum Investment Amount | Minimum Investment Amount$800,000 | ||
| Minimum Stay Requirement | Minimum Stay RequirementMinimum 183 days per year | ||
| Initial Permit Duration | Initial Permit Duration2 years | ||
| Time to Residence | Time to Residence30-50 months | ||
| Time to Citizenship | Time to Citizenship5 years | ||
| Family Inclusion? | Family Inclusion?Spouse, children under 21 | ||
| Right to Work? | Right to Work?Yes | ||
| Type of Document Received | Type of Document Received?Residency permit | ||
| No. of Visa-Free Countries with Passport? | No. of Visa-Free Countries with Passport?186 | ||