Nov 2026 bulletinEB-2 · India 01 Nov 2013 · China 01 Oct 2021 · Rest of world 01 Apr 2025PERM~10.0 months

Green Card / Side paths

EB-5: the investor green card

A green card through investing $800,000 or $1,050,000 in a US business that creates 10 jobs. How it works and why many Chinese and Indian families look at it.

Last verified 2026-09-26 Reviewed September 30, 2026 General guidance, not legal advice. Always check with a qualified attorney

EB-5 lets you qualify for a green card by investing in a US business.

The numbers

Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022:

  • $1,050,000, or
  • $800,000 in a targeted employment area (rural or high-unemployment) or certain infrastructure projects.

The investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers. Most investors use a regional center project rather than running a business themselves.

Set-aside visas

Part of the yearly EB-5 numbers is reserved for rural, high-unemployment and infrastructure projects. These have often had shorter queues than “unreserved” EB-5, especially for China and India. Check the current dates on the Visa Bulletin.

How it works

  1. Invest and file Form I-526E (regional center) or I-526 (standalone).
  2. When your date is current, adjust status (or process at a consulate). H-1B holders in the US can file the I-485 and get an EAD.
  3. You receive a conditional green card for two years, then file to remove conditions by showing the investment and jobs.

Be careful

The investment must be “at risk”. Hire your own immigration and securities counsel, check the project’s track record, and treat promises of guaranteed returns as a warning sign.

The good

  • No employer, no PERM, no degree requirements
  • Set-aside visas for rural and high-unemployment areas have had shorter waits
  • Covers spouse and children under 21

The hard

  • The money is at risk; projects can fail
  • Scams have hurt investors; due diligence is essential
  • A conditional two-year card comes first

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Sources

  1. USCIS: EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
  2. USCIS: About the EB-5 Visa Classification (Reform and Integrity Act of 2022)
  3. Travel.State.Gov: Visa Bulletin (EB-5 set-aside categories)

Rules change often. If something here looks out of date, it probably is; check the official source and talk to an immigration attorney about your own case.