EB-5
VS
Type
Green card
Description
Immigrant Investor Program
Profiles that typically qualify
Entrepreneurs, Business owners, Investors
Requirements
Invest personal funds of $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA), such as rural or high-unemployment areas and certain infrastructure projects, or $1,050,000 in non-TEA areas.
Create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers.
Provide detailed documentation verifying the lawful source and transfer path of the investment funds.
Maintain the investment for a minimum of two years.
Pros
The only visa category that provides immigration status based on passive investment.
Does not require employer sponsorship, offering significant flexibility.
No specific educational or professional qualifications are required.
Allows for investment directly into new or existing businesses or through regional centers that pool funds for larger projects.
The only employment-based category allowing concurrent Green Card application filing for all nationalities.
Cons
Requires a substantial financial investment.
The investment must be at risk, and job creation requirements must be met.
Initially issued a two-year conditional Green Card, requiring a subsequent application to demonstrate continued compliance with the program requirements.
Sponsorship
Not required
Validity period
Permanent residency
Renewable
Every 10 years
Without premium processing
6-24 months1
With premium processing
No
Can spouse work
Yes
Disclaimers
1Timeframe to obtain conditional residence, with a similar timeframe for achieving permanent residence.
Type
EB-5
Green card
Description
EB-5
Immigrant Investor Program
Profiles that typically qualify
EB-5
Entrepreneurs, Business owners, Investors
Requirements
EB-5
Invest personal funds of $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA), such as rural or high-unemployment areas and certain infrastructure projects, or $1,050,000 in non-TEA areas.
Create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers.
Provide detailed documentation verifying the lawful source and transfer path of the investment funds.
Maintain the investment for a minimum of two years.
Pros
EB-5
The only visa category that provides immigration status based on passive investment.
Does not require employer sponsorship, offering significant flexibility.
No specific educational or professional qualifications are required.
Allows for investment directly into new or existing businesses or through regional centers that pool funds for larger projects.
The only employment-based category allowing concurrent Green Card application filing for all nationalities.
Cons
EB-5
Requires a substantial financial investment.
The investment must be at risk, and job creation requirements must be met.
Initially issued a two-year conditional Green Card, requiring a subsequent application to demonstrate continued compliance with the program requirements.
Sponsorship
EB-5
Not required
Validity period
EB-5
Permanent residency
Renewable
EB-5
Every 10 years
Without premium processing
EB-5
6-24 months1
With premium processing
EB-5
No
Can spouse work
EB-5
Yes
Disclaimers
EB-5
1Timeframe to obtain conditional residence, with a similar timeframe for achieving permanent residence.