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United States EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme

The United States EB-5 programme offers lawful permanent residence to investors who place qualifying capital in a US project and create the required number of jobs.

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Reference
Official authorityU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
ProgrammeUnited States EB-5
Information current as ofJune 2026
Official source →

Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.

Reviewed by the Passports for Kings editorial team. Last reviewed 8 June 2026.

Overview

EB-5 is the United States employment based fifth preference immigrant category for investors. It is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, known as USCIS.

An EB-5 investor first receives conditional permanent residence for two years. After the investment and job creation are sustained and verified, the investor can remove the conditions and hold permanent resident status, the green card.

Qualifying routes

Investors place qualifying capital either directly or, more commonly, through a designated regional center. The capital must be at risk and must create at least ten full time jobs for qualifying United States workers.

A lower investment level applies when the project sits in a Targeted Employment Area, meaning a rural area or an area of high unemployment as defined by statute and USCIS policy.

Timeline

Timelines depend on the investor route, the visa category demand and processing queues at USCIS and the consular stage. Confirm current processing times and any per country waiting with USCIS before planning around a date.

Indicative costs

The amounts below reflect the levels set under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. USCIS publishes the binding figures and filing fees. Confirm before you act.

What it unlocks

Success leads to lawful permanent residence for the investor, a spouse and unmarried children under twenty one, with a path to United States naturalisation once the residence requirements are met.

Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, the minimum investment levels are scheduled to be adjusted for inflation every five years, beginning on the first of January 2027.

ItemAmountNotes
Standard minimum investment1,050,000 US dollarsProjects outside a Targeted Employment Area
Targeted Employment Area minimum800,000 US dollarsRural area or area of high unemployment, as defined by USCIS
Job creationAt least ten full time jobs per investorFor qualifying United States workers
USCIS filing feesConfirm the current figure with the official authoritySet and published by USCIS

Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.

Common questions

What is the minimum EB-5 investment?

It is 800,000 US dollars in a Targeted Employment Area, or 1,050,000 US dollars otherwise, under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. Confirm current figures with USCIS.

Does EB-5 lead to citizenship?

EB-5 leads to a green card. Holders may later apply for United States naturalisation once they meet the residence and other requirements.

Who administers EB-5?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, known as USCIS.

Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.

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Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.

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