The investment immigration program refers to the EB-5 immigrant visa category under U.S. immigration law, abbreviated as EB-5. EB-5 (Employment-Based Fifth Preference) is an immigrant category established by U.S. immigration law for overseas investment immigrants. Since its inception in 1990, and following two legislative amendments regarding applicant qualifications and conditions, it has become the most convenient channel among all immigration categories, offering shorter processing times and the fewest qualification restrictions.
U.S. investment immigration law explicitly welcomes immigrant investors because the U.S. government believes that investment immigration brings foreign capital to the U.S. and increases national employment opportunities. The law stipulates that non-U.S. citizens may obtain a Green Card by investing in new or existing companies or enterprises; the required investment amount is $1 million. The core principle of U.S. investment immigration is that foreign immigrants can be granted a two-year conditional immigrant visa by investing in or establishing an enterprise within the United States and creating ten job opportunities. Ninety days before the expiration of the two-year period, if the investment remains active and ten job opportunities have been provided to U.S. persons, the immigrant investor may apply to have the conditions removed. The standard investment amount for this program is $1 million.
If the investment target is located in a “Targeted Employment Area” (TEA)—defined as an area with an unemployment rate 150% of the national average, an area designated by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), or a Regional Center designated by the U.S. government—the investment amount may be reduced to $500,000, depending on the economic conditions of the investment location. Each applicant is required to provide 10 job opportunities for U.S. workers, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other foreigners legally authorized to work in the U.S., but excluding the foreign investor's immediate family members. Investment visa quota: 10,000 visas per year.
Most Lenient Application Requirements
The requirements for EB-5 applicants are quite lenient. Investors are not subject to any restrictions regarding business background, age, educational attainment, or language ability; they simply need to prove that the source of their investment funds is legal. Furthermore, these funds do not need to be derived from an enterprise operated by the investor themselves; they may also be inherited or gifted. A key feature of this immigration category is “whole-family immigration,” meaning the investor, their spouse, and unmarried children under the age of 21 may all apply for immigration simultaneously.
Investors and their family members can enjoy the same treatment as other lawful permanent residents, including:
Enjoying benefits stipulated by the U.S. government;
Finding a safe haven for their families and investments, with every family member free to enter, exit, and reside in the United States at any time.