EB-5 Investor Visa
Your Path to U.S. Permanent Residency Through Investment
The EB-5 program allows foreign investors and their families to obtain U.S. green cards by investing in job-creating American businesses. No employer sponsorship required.
TEA Investment Minimum
Rural Processing Time
Creation Requirement
Spouse & Children Included
Understanding the EB-5 Program
A comprehensive guide to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
What is the EB-5 Program?
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is a United States immigration program created by Congress in 1990 that allows foreign investors to obtain lawful permanent residency (a "green card") by investing in a U.S. business that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers.
The program is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and provides one of the few direct pathways to permanent residency that does not require employer sponsorship, specific education levels, or language requirements.
Key Program Features:
- Established by Congress in 1990
- Reauthorized through September 30, 2027
- Reformed by EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022
- Approximately 10,000 visas available annually
- Two investment pathways: Direct and Regional Center
Investment Pathways: Direct vs. Regional Center
Two paths to your EB-5 green card
Direct Investment
Invest directly in a business you own or manage
Best For:
Entrepreneurs seeking business control
Pros
Full control, potential higher returns
Cons
More complex, requires management
Regional Center Investment
Pool investment with other investors through USCIS-approved regional center
Best For:
Investors seeking immigration focus
Pros
Professional management, easier verification
Cons
Less control, dependent on project
Approximately 90% of EB-5 investors choose regional center investments due to professional project management and easier job creation verification.
Targeted Employment Areas (TEA)
Qualify for the reduced $800,000 investment minimum
Rural TEA
Located outside metropolitan statistical areas in cities/towns with population under 20,000. Fastest processing and largest visa allocation.
2025 rural approvals averaged 5 months, some as fast as 29 days
High Unemployment TEA
Areas with unemployment rate at least 150% of national average. USCIS now directly determines designations.
Infrastructure TEA
Qualifying public infrastructure projects administered by government entities.
| Category | Visa Allocation | Priority Processing | Avg. Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rural TEA | 20% | 5-9 months | |
| High Unemployment | 10% | 26-34 months | |
| Infrastructure | 2% | 26-34 months | |
| Unreserved | 68% | 18-36 months |
The EB-5 Process
From Investment to Green Card
Select Project & Invest
1-3 months
Choose qualifying project, complete due diligence, transfer investment funds
File I-526E Petition
5-34 months
Submit petition to USCIS demonstrating investment eligibility
Rural TEA: 5-9 months | Urban/Other: 26-34 months
Visa Processing
6-12 months
National Visa Center processing and consular interview (or I-485 if in U.S.)
Conditional Green Card
Valid 2 years
Enter U.S. as conditional permanent resident with spouse and children
File I-829 Petition
Within 90 days before expiration
Demonstrate investment sustained and jobs created
Permanent Green Card
10-year renewable
Conditions removed, eligible for citizenship after 5 years total
Select Project & Invest
1-3 months
Choose qualifying project, complete due diligence, transfer investment funds
File I-526E Petition
5-34 months
Submit petition to USCIS demonstrating investment eligibility
Rural TEA: 5-9 months | Urban/Other: 26-34 months
Visa Processing
6-12 months
National Visa Center processing and consular interview (or I-485 if in U.S.)
Conditional Green Card
Valid 2 years
Enter U.S. as conditional permanent resident with spouse and children
File I-829 Petition
Within 90 days before expiration
Demonstrate investment sustained and jobs created
Permanent Green Card
10-year renewable
Conditions removed, eligible for citizenship after 5 years total
Total Timeline Summary
12-24 months
Rural TEA to conditional green card
36-48+ months
Urban/Other to conditional green card
Critical Deadlines for EB-5 Investors
September 30, 2026
File I-526E before this date to lock in current $800,000 TEA investment minimum
Grandfathering protection ensures processing under current rules regardless of future changes.
January 1, 2027
Investment minimums automatically increase based on CPI inflation
Estimated TEA minimum: $900,000-$975,000 • Estimated standard minimum: $1,100,000+
September 30, 2027
Current Regional Center Program authorization expires
Congress must reauthorize for program to continue.
EB-5 vs. Trump Gold Card
In September 2025, the Trump administration launched the 'Gold Card' visa program. Here's how it compares to the established EB-5 pathway.
| Feature | EB-5 Program | Trump Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Amount | $800,000 (TEA) / $1,050,000 | $1,000,000 "gift" |
| Return of Capital | Possible through project exit | No (gift to Treasury) |
| Job Creation Required | Yes (10 full-time jobs) | No |
| Legal Foundation | Congressional statute (1990) | Executive Order (2025) |
| Track Record | 35+ years established | New, untested |
| Visa Category | EB-5 (dedicated) | EB-1 or EB-2 (existing) |
| Visa Backlogs | Reserved categories current | Subject to EB-1/EB-2 backlogs |
| Processing Predictability | Established procedures | Uncertain |
| Legal Challenges | Settled law | Likely litigation |
| Program Sunset | Authorized through 2027 | Executive action (revocable) |
Veracor Recommendation
Until the Gold Card program is fully implemented, tested, and survives legal challenges, EB-5 remains the proven, established pathway for investment-based U.S. immigration. The EB-5 program offers potential return of capital, established case law, and predictable processing—advantages the Gold Card cannot currently match.
Why Choose the EB-5 Program?
Family Immigration
Single investment covers investor, spouse, and unmarried children under 21
No Sponsor Required
Unlike H-1B or other work visas, no employer sponsorship needed
Path to Citizenship
Eligible for U.S. citizenship after 5 years of permanent residency
Work Anywhere
Freedom to work for any employer, start a business, or not work at all
Live Anywhere
No geographic restrictions—live in any U.S. state or territory
Education Benefits
In-state tuition rates at public universities for you and your children
Your Family's Future
One investment secures permanent residency for your entire family, opening doors to education, career opportunities, and the American dream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
EB-5 Glossary
Comprehensive definitions of EB-5 terminology
A
Accredited Investor
An individual or entity meeting SEC criteria for private securities investments. For individuals: net worth exceeding $1 million (excluding primary residence) OR annual income exceeding $200,000 (single) / $300,000 (married) for the past two years.
Adjustment of Status (I-485)
The process by which an individual already in the United States changes their immigration status to lawful permanent resident. EB-5 investors in the U.S. can file I-485 concurrently with I-526E when a visa number is available.
Administrative Fee
A fee charged by regional centers in addition to the capital investment, typically $50,000-$80,000, covering project management and operational costs.
B
Biometrics
Identity verification services including fingerprinting, photographs, and background checks completed at a USCIS Application Support Center.
C
Capital Investment
Investment of capital (cash, equipment, inventory, or other tangible property) by an EB-5 investor into a new commercial enterprise. Current minimum: $800,000 (TEA) or $1,050,000 (non-TEA).
Concurrent Filing
Filing Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) simultaneously with Form I-526E, available to investors in the U.S. in valid status when a visa number is immediately available.
Conditional Permanent Resident
An EB-5 investor who has received their initial 2-year green card. Conditions are removed after filing Form I-829.
Consular Processing
The process by which EB-5 investors outside the U.S. obtain their immigrant visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate interview.
Consumer Price Index (CPI-U)
The inflation index used to calculate automatic adjustments to EB-5 investment minimums every 5 years starting January 2027.
D
Direct Investment
EB-5 pathway where the investor directly invests in and manages a new commercial enterprise, creating 10 direct W-2 employee jobs.
Direct Jobs
Employment positions created within the new commercial enterprise itself, establishing a direct employer-employee relationship.
E
EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) of 2022
Landmark legislation reforming the EB-5 program, signed March 15, 2022. Established current investment amounts, reserved visa categories, and priority processing for rural investments.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
Work permit allowing the holder to work for any U.S. employer. Available to EB-5 investors who file concurrently.
F
Form I-526
Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor (direct investments).
Form I-526E
Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor (regional center investments).
Form I-829
Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status.
Form I-956
Application for Regional Center Designation.
Form I-956F
Application for Approval of an Investment in a Commercial Enterprise (project exemplar filing).
Full-Time Employment
Employment requiring minimum 35 working hours per week for a qualifying employee.
G
Gold Card (Trump Gold Card)
Immigration program announced in 2025 offering permanent residency for a $1 million "gift" to U.S. Treasury. Based on executive action, not congressional statute.
Grandfathering
Protection under the RIA allowing investors who file before September 30, 2026 to be processed under current rules regardless of future changes.
Green Card
Informal term for Lawful Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551).
H
High Unemployment Area (HUA)
TEA designation for areas with unemployment at least 150% of national average. Receives 10% visa set-aside but no priority processing.
I
Indirect Jobs
Jobs created outside the new commercial enterprise but resulting from its activities, calculated through economic modeling. Only countable in regional center investments.
Induced Jobs
Jobs created when employees spend wages in the local economy. Counted through economic modeling in regional center investments.
Infrastructure Project
EB-5 project involving qualifying public infrastructure, receiving 2% visa set-aside and $800,000 minimum.
J
Job Creation Requirement
Requirement that each investor's capital create at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers.
Job-Creating Entity (JCE)
In regional center investments, the entity that creates the jobs (may differ from the NCE receiving funds).
L
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
Individual granted the right to live and work permanently in the United States.
Loan Model
EB-5 investment structure where funds are loaned from the NCE to the JCE. Most common regional center structure.
N
National Visa Center (NVC)
Department of State facility processing immigrant visa applications after USCIS approval.
New Commercial Enterprise (NCE)
Business entity receiving EB-5 investment funds. Must be for-profit, established after November 29, 1990.
P
Path of Funds
Documented movement of investment funds from lawful source to EB-5 investment. USCIS requires complete paper trail.
Priority Date
Date EB-5 petition is filed, determining place in visa availability line.
Priority Processing
Expedited USCIS adjudication for rural TEA investments only. Rural petitions average 5-9 months vs. 26+ months for non-rural.
Private Placement Memorandum (PPM)
Legal document detailing terms, risks, and structure of EB-5 investment offering.
Q
Qualifying Employee
U.S. citizen, LPR, asylee, refugee, or other work-authorized individual. Does not include investor, family members, or temporary nonimmigrants.
R
Regional Center
USCIS-designated entity sponsoring EB-5 projects. Pools investor funds and can count indirect/induced jobs. Approximately 90% of EB-5 investments use regional centers.
Reserved Visas (Set-Aside Visas)
Annual EB-5 visa allocations for specific categories: Rural (20%), High Unemployment (10%), Infrastructure (2%).
Retrogression
When visa demand exceeds supply, causing cutoff dates that slow availability. Reserved categories currently have no retrogression.
Rural TEA
Area outside MSA with population under 20,000. Qualifies for priority processing and 20% visa set-aside—most advantageous category.
S
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Federal agency regulating securities offerings including EB-5 investments.
Source of Funds (SOF)
Documentation proving EB-5 capital was obtained lawfully. Heavily scrutinized in I-526E petition.
Subscription Agreement
Contract between investor and NCE outlining investment terms, rights, obligations, and exit provisions.
Sustainment Period
Minimum period funds must remain "at risk"—currently 2 years from conditional permanent resident status.
T
Targeted Employment Area (TEA)
Geographic designation qualifying for $800,000 minimum. Includes Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure areas.
Troubled Business
Business in existence 2+ years with net loss of 20%+ of net worth in 12-24 months before priority date. Job preservation (not creation) allowed.
U
Unreserved Visas
EB-5 visas not set aside for specific categories (68% of total). Subject to per-country limits and backlogs.
USCIS
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services—federal agency administering EB-5 program.
V
Visa Bulletin
Monthly Department of State publication showing visa availability and cutoff dates. Reserved categories currently "current."
Why Work With Veracor Group
Veracor Group brings a unique perspective to EB-5 investment through our integrated four-pillar ecosystem.
Healthcare Ecosystem Integration
Our Health pillar—including Kure Health, KureCare, and Rejuvion—creates potential EB-5 project opportunities in one of America's fastest-growing sectors.
Long-Term Partnership Approach
We view EB-5 not just as immigration but as the beginning of a lasting relationship with our investor community through VIBE Fund and beyond.
Diversified Platform
Our four pillars—Home, Health, Finance, and Technology—provide multiple pathways for investors seeking U.S. opportunities.
Veracor Group is committed to connecting qualified investors with legitimate EB-5 opportunities while providing the education and support needed for informed decisions.
Ready to Explore Your EB-5 Options?
Our team can help you understand the EB-5 program and evaluate whether it's the right path for your family's immigration goals.
Email: [email protected]
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DISCLAIMER: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or immigration advice. EB-5 investments involve risk, including potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult with qualified immigration and securities attorneys before making any investment decision. Veracor Group does not guarantee visa approval or investment returns.
Last updated: January 2026