What is the EB5 program?

The EB-5 visa, or Employment-Based Fifth Preference visa, allows foreign investors to obtain permanent residency (a green card) in the United States.The EB-5 visa is one of five employment-based paths to permanent residency in the U.S.

What is the minimum investment amount?

For the EB-5 visa, the required investment amount depends on the location. Specifically, you must invest either $800,000 if the project is in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), or alternatively, $1,050,000 in a non-TEA (everywhere else in the United States).

How does the EB-5 program work?

If a foreign national makes a qualifying investment that creates 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers, they are eligible for permanent residency in the U.S.

What is the EB-5 visa processing timeline?

The applicant's country of birth significantly influences the EB-5 visa processing timeline, as the U.S. government imposes annual limits on the number of visas granted to each country.

What is an EB-5 regional center?

USCIS licenses EB-5 regional centers to sponsor EB-5 investments. Sponsoring an EB-5 project by these entities enables the foreign national to claim credit for indirectly creating jobs.

What are the benefits of a U.S. green card?

EB-5 investors who obtain U.S. green cards can live and work anywhere. They may apply for citizenship 5 years after receiving conditional permanent residency, provided they meet certain conditions.

Can EB-5 Investors receive their investment capital back?

EB-5 investors can receive their investment capital back after filing Form I-829, provided they comply with legal requirements and the project documents state such a return of capital will occur.

What’s Behind the Surge in New Zealand Golden Visa Applications

Americans file over a third of New Zealand's 700+ golden visa applications in the past 14 months, followed by Chinese and Hong Kong citizens.

By Swasti · August 19, 2026

5 Citizenship-by-Investment Programs Wealthy Americans Are Considering—and Why

August 11, 2026

Vote Now: Uglobal’s Top 25 Global Immigration Awards

August 6, 2026

Latest in Investment MigrationMore articles →

$90,000 Can Now Get You Citizenship in This Tiny Island Nation

August 5, 2026

Five Golden Visa Programs That Stand Above the Rest

August 4, 2026

Golden Visa Investors Challenge Portugal Nationality Law Changes

August 4, 2026

Kenya Revives “Golden Visa” Program to Attract Global Wealth

July 22, 2026

EU Warns Caribbean Five to End Golden Passports by 2028

July 21, 2026

Ethiopia Plans to Launch a 10-Year Golden Visa Priced at $10 Million

July 21, 2026

Panama Emerges as a Golden Visa Alternative as Europe Tightens the Door

July 21, 2026

New Zealand Opens Doors to Franchises and Gifted Capital in Major Investor Visa Upgrade

July 8, 2026

Dubai Partners with Global Banks to Attract Wealthy Investors

July 6, 2026

Uglobal

Upcoming
Investment Migration
Expos

View All Events →

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Uglobal Visa Eligibility Evaluation

Please fill out the form below

First name(Required)

Last name(Required)

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Current Location(Required)

Country of Interest(Required)

Message

Email Signup

I would like information via email including special announcements.

Nominate Your Top 25 Awards Global Immigration Candidates for 2026!

June 8, 2026

Indonesia’s Golden Visa: 1,274 Permits, US$3 Billion in Nearly 2 Years

May 27, 2026

Top Contributors

Magazine Sign Up

Become a Verified Member

Join our the global immigration community

join for free

Uglobal Videos

Uglobal Free Magazine

Uglobal immigration Magazine publishes peer-reviewed and board-approved articles written by experienced professionals in the Citizenship by Investment and Residency by Investment industry globally.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Magazine Subscription

Name(Required)

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Company Name(Required)

Company Name

Address(Required)

ADVERTISE WITH US

What’s Behind the Surge in New Zealand Golden Visa Applications