What is the current minimum investment?

The thresholds are set by statute, differ for targeted employment areas, and have been revised more than once in recent years. We do not publish a figure here, because a number on a web page goes out of date and an applicant who relies on a stale figure can invest the wrong amount. Check the current amounts directly with USCIS, and confirm them again before committing any capital.

Direct investment or regional center?

Direct investment means you manage the enterprise and only jobs you create directly count toward the requirement. A regional center allows indirect and induced jobs to be counted and requires far less day-to-day involvement, which is why most investors choose it — but it also means relying on someone else’s project, so due diligence on the project and the center matters enormously. Neither route is inherently safer; they carry different risks.

Can my family be included?

A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may generally be included as derivative applicants on the same investment. Because children can age out during a long process, their ages relative to the expected timeline are a genuinely important planning factor and should be raised at the outset.

EB-5

EB-5 — Immigrant Investor

Permanent residence through a qualifying investment that creates jobs for US workers.

Last reviewed: August 9, 2026

Check Your Eligibility Compare Visas

Visa overview

EB-5 offers permanent residence to investors who make a qualifying capital investment in a US commercial enterprise that creates at least ten full-time jobs for qualifying US workers. Unlike the E-2, it is open to any nationality. Investors choose between a direct investment they manage themselves and an investment through a designated regional center, which is the more common route and allows indirect job creation to be counted. Investment thresholds are set by statute and are lower for projects in targeted employment areas. Residence is granted conditionally at first, and the conditions must later be removed by demonstrating that the investment was sustained and the jobs were created.

Who may qualify

Investors of any nationality able to invest the statutory amount of lawfully obtained capital
Investors placing capital in a new commercial enterprise, or in a qualifying troubled business
Investors whose project will create at least ten qualifying full-time jobs
Investors able to document the lawful source and path of every invested dollar

This is general information about the category, not an assessment of your circumstances.

Key requirements

Investment at or above the statutory threshold applicable to the project location — confirm the current figure with the official source
Capital genuinely at risk in a new commercial enterprise
Creation of at least ten full-time jobs for qualifying US workers
Comprehensive lawful source-of-funds documentation covering the full path of the capital
For regional center projects, investment in a currently designated center
Removal of conditions at the appropriate time, evidencing sustained investment and job creation

Typical application process

Decide between the direct and regional center routes, and carry out proper due diligence on any project
Verify the current statutory investment threshold and whether the project qualifies for the reduced amount
Assemble the source-of-funds documentation — this is consistently the most demanding part
Invest the capital and place it genuinely at risk
File the immigrant petition with the project and source-of-funds evidence
On approval and visa availability, complete consular processing or adjustment of status
Receive conditional permanent residence, then file to remove conditions within the required window

Documents commonly required

Complete source-of-funds record: tax returns, bank statements, business records, sale or gift documentation
Evidence of the transfer path of funds from source to the enterprise
Project documents: business plan, economic report, offering materials
For regional center cases, evidence of the center’s current designation
Evidence of job creation, or a credible plan for it
Passport, civil documents and police certificates
Medical examination at the immigrant visa stage

Typical processing considerations

EB-5 is a multi-stage process spanning several years in most cases: petition, immigrant visa or adjustment, conditional residence, then removal of conditions. Visa availability varies significantly by country of chargeability and can be the dominant factor for applicants from high-demand countries. Statutory thresholds and regional center authorisation have both changed materially in recent years, so current figures and designations must be verified with the official source rather than assumed. No date or outcome can be guaranteed.

Common questions about the EB-5

Official sources

General information on this page is drawn from published guidance by USCIS and the U.S. Department of State. Always verify current requirements at the official source before acting.

USCIS — EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

E-2
E-2 — Treaty Investor
For nationals of treaty countries investing a substantial amount in a US business they will direct.
E-1
E-1 — Treaty Trader
For nationals of treaty countries carrying on substantial trade principally between that country and the US.
EB-1
EB-1 — Priority Workers
Permanent residence for people at the top of their field, outstanding researchers, and multinational executives.

Is the EB-5 worth exploring for you?

Complete a free assessment and a consultant will review your situation and explain which routes are worth considering.

Takes about 7–10 minutes

Start Your Visa Assessment