Residency by Investment in USA
- Obtain a U.S. Green Card
- Live and work in the U.S.
- Route to U.S. citizenship
Minimum Investment Amount
$45,000
Processing Time
24 months
Key Residency Benefit
Permanent residency in the U.S.
Why is USA a popular investment location?
The United States of America, U.S. for short, is a country of 50 states covering most of North America. It is the world’s third-largest country in terms of size.
The U.S. is home to one of the most developed financial markets. And with a GDP of just over $20 trillion, the U.S. has the largest global consumer market.
Widely known as the ‘Land of Opportunity’, the U.S. provides excellent prospects for people striving to achieve personal and professional success.
About the USA Residency by Investment programme
The EB-3 is a third preference employment-based immigrant visa. It is one of the five employment-based green card options that enables foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S. as permanent residents.
The EB-3 Visa is designed for three categories of workers; skilled workers, professionals and unskilled or other workers. Those who fall into one of these three categories may be eligible for the EB-3 Visa.
Each of the three categories is defined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as follows:
- Skilled workers: those with at least two years of experience in their chosen field of expertise.
- Professionals: those with higher degrees that require a professional licence to work.
- Unskilled or other workers: those who can perform jobs for which qualified workers are unavailable.
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-3 programme
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What are the Benefits of Residency in the USA?
A cost-effective route to U.S. residency
Visa-free travel to the U.S.
Live and work permanently in the U.S.
Grants residency for family members
Straightforward application process
Pathway to U.S. citizenship after five years
How to obtain Residency in the USA
Live the American Dream
Unlike other programmes that grant residency, there is no investment requirement.
Instead, applicants pay a total of $45,000, which is the total price for the principal applicant and includes all immigrant visa government fees. The cost for each additional applicant is $3,000. The main applicant can include their spouse and any children under the age of 21.
All costs, minus any fees, are fully refundable if the application is unsuccessful.
Key Benefit of Residency in the USA
The EB-3 Visa grants successful applicants a U.S. Green Card, which provides permanent residency for the holder.
By securing a Green Card, applicants live and work in the U.S. with minimal restrictions. They also benefit from being able to leave and enter the U.S. without needing a visa, as well as live in a different state.
Successful applicants can also bring eligible family members to the U.S., including a spouse and unmarried children under 21.
Requirements are not as strict as other types of residency visas. The EB-3 is an employment-based visa, meaning you only need a non-seasonal job offer to qualify. Once issued, Green Cards have a long validity period, lasting for 10 years.
Frequently asked questions
Those eligible to apply for the EB-3 Visa must meet specific requirements. These include:
- You must be a citizen of a country that is eligible for the EB-3 visa program
- You must have a job offer from a sponsoring employer in the United States
- You must meet the minimum education and experience requirements for the job you are applying for
- You must pass a medical examination and criminal background check
The principal applicant can include their spouse and any children under the age of 21 in their application. The cost for each additional applicant is $3,000.
While the EB-3 Visa does not grant U.S. citizenship directly, it does provide a route to securing citizenship through naturalisation. To apply for U.S. citizenship, applicants must fulfil the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Held their EB-3 Visa for at least five years
While both types of visa grant permanent U.S. residency, there are some differences between the two. The main difference is that the EB-5 Visa is based on making a qualifying investment. The EB-3 Visa is dependent on the applicant having employment in the U.S.
USA EB-3 Application Process
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Months 1-3:
Receive your job offer, then apply for Labor Certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor.
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Months 3-12:
Apply for and complete the I-140 form, pay the visa fee and submit DS-260 to start the final process.
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Months 12-18:
Interview at the local U.S. Consular office after receiving your invitation letter.
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Months 18-24:
Receive Greencard and arrive in the U.S. before the visa expiry date.
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Live your Dream:
Start your new job and settle permanently in the U.S.
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Months 1-3:Receive your job offer, then apply for Labor Certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor.
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Months 3-12:Apply for and complete the I-140 form, pay the visa fee and submit DS-260 to start the final process.
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Months 12-18:Interview at the local U.S. Consular office after receiving your invitation letter.
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Months 18-24:Receive Greencard and arrive in the U.S. before the visa expiry date.
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Live your Dream:Start your new job and settle permanently in the U.S.
Which programme is right for you?
| Citizenship or Residency Programme? | Citizenship or Residency Programme?Residency | ||
| Minimum Investment Amount | Minimum Investment Amount$45,000 | ||
| Minimum Stay Requirement | Minimum Stay Requirement | ||
| Initial Permit Duration | Initial Permit Duration | ||
| Time to Residence | Time to Residence18-24 months | ||
| Time to Citizenship | Time to Citizenship | ||
| 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 | ||