EB-5
VS
TN Canadians
Type
Green card
Nonimmigrant visa
Description
Immigrant Investor Program
NAFTA Professionals from Canada
Profiles that typically qualify
Entrepreneurs, Business owners, Investors
Software developers, Financial analysts, Medical professionals, Engineers, Scientists, University professors, Management consultants
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.
You must be a citizen of Canada.
You must meet the educational credentials or work experience required under NAFTA for your profession, with a job offer that matches those qualifications. Professions eligible for this status include, but are not limited to, accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers.
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.
Streamlined application process; you can apply directly at the border with a job offer letter.
Renewable indefinitely, allowing long-term employment opportunities in the U.S.
No annual cap, providing a reliable option for eligible professionals.
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.
Limited to specific professions listed under the NAFTA agreement.
Requires employer sponsorship and a specific job offer.
Sponsorship
Not required
Required
Validity period
Permanent residency
3 years
Renewable
Every 10 years
Indefinitely, 3-year increments
Without premium processing
6-24 months1
Same day
With premium processing
No
Not available
Can spouse work
Yes
No
Disclaimers
1Timeframe to obtain conditional residence, with a similar timeframe for achieving permanent residence.
-
Type
EB-5
Green card
TN Canadians
Nonimmigrant visa
Description
EB-5
Immigrant Investor Program
TN Canadians
NAFTA Professionals from Canada
Profiles that typically qualify
EB-5
Entrepreneurs, Business owners, Investors
TN Canadians
Software developers, Financial analysts, Medical professionals, Engineers, Scientists, University professors, Management consultants
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.
TN Canadians
You must be a citizen of Canada.
You must meet the educational credentials or work experience required under NAFTA for your profession, with a job offer that matches those qualifications. Professions eligible for this status include, but are not limited to, accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers.
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.
TN Canadians
Streamlined application process; you can apply directly at the border with a job offer letter.
Renewable indefinitely, allowing long-term employment opportunities in the U.S.
No annual cap, providing a reliable option for eligible professionals.
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.
TN Canadians
Limited to specific professions listed under the NAFTA agreement.
Requires employer sponsorship and a specific job offer.
Sponsorship
EB-5
Not required
TN Canadians
Required
Validity period
EB-5
Permanent residency
TN Canadians
3 years
Renewable
EB-5
Every 10 years
TN Canadians
Indefinitely, 3-year increments
Without premium processing
EB-5
6-24 months1
TN Canadians
Same day
With premium processing
EB-5
No
TN Canadians
Not available
Can spouse work
EB-5
Yes
TN Canadians
No
Disclaimers
EB-5
1Timeframe to obtain conditional residence, with a similar timeframe for achieving permanent residence.
TN Canadians
-