EB-5 Investor Green Card 2024: Complete Guide ($800K Investment)
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a direct path to US permanent residence for investors who invest $800,000 or $1.05 million in a US business. It's the "Golden Visa" of the United States.
Regional Center vs. Direct Investment
Most investors choose Regional Centers (passive investment). We explain the pros and cons of both.
Explore Green Card ServicesWhat is the EB-5 Visa?
The EB-5 program was created to stimulate the US economy through job creation and capital investment. It allows foreign investors to obtain Green Cards for themselves, their spouse, and unmarried children under 21.
$800K Investment
Minimum in TEA areas
Family Included
Spouse + kids under 21
No Sponsor
Self-funded
Investment Amounts (2024)
The investment amount depends on where the business is located:
Targeted Employment Area (TEA) - $800,000
Rural areas or areas with high unemployment (1.5x national average).
90% of EB-5 investments are in TEAs because of the lower investment threshold.
Non-TEA - $1,050,000
Any other location in the United States.
Regional Center vs. Direct Investment
| Feature | Regional Center (Passive) | Direct Investment (Active) |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Limited Partner (Passive) | Manager/Owner (Active) |
| Job Creation | Direct, Indirect & Induced jobs count | Only Direct W-2 jobs count |
| Control | Low (trust the developer) | High (you run the business) |
| Risk | Project failure risk | Business failure risk |
| Popularity | 95% of applicants | 5% of applicants |
Requirements
- Capital Investment: $800K or $1.05M of your own money.
- Source of Funds: Must prove funds were obtained lawfully (salary, sale of property, gift, inheritance, loan).
- Job Creation: Must create 10 full-time jobs for US workers within 2 years.
- At Risk: Capital must be "at risk" (no guarantees of return).
Application Process
Choose a Project
Select a Regional Center project or start your own business. Due diligence is critical here.
Invest Capital
Transfer the $800K or $1.05M to the project's escrow account.
File Form I-526E
Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor. Prove source of funds.
Filing fee: $11,160
Consular Processing or Adjustment of Status
Once I-526E is approved, apply for your conditional green card.
Conditional Green Card (2 Years)
You get a 2-year green card. You can live and work in the US.
File Form I-829
Petition to Remove Conditions. Prove that jobs were created and money stayed invested.
Filing fee: $9,525
Permanent Green Card
Conditions removed. You are a permanent resident. Return of capital usually happens around this time.
Costs Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Investment Capital | $800,000 |
| Administrative Fee (to Regional Center) | $50,000-80,000 |
| I-526E Filing Fee | $11,160 |
| Immigration Lawyer | $15,000-30,000 |
| Source of Funds Report | $3,000-10,000 |
| Total (excluding investment) | ~$80,000-130,000 |
How TravelReady Helps
We are not a Regional Center. We help you navigate the process and connect with vetted projects and attorneys.
Project Due Diligence
Checklists to evaluate projects
Source of Funds
Templates to prove lawful source
Attorney Network
Referrals to top EB-5 lawyers
Conclusion
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EB-5 is the most direct path to a US green card for those with capital. While expensive, it offers certainty and freedom that other visas cannot match.
Interested in EB-5?
Schedule a consultation to discuss your eligibility and source of funds strategy.