EB-5 IMMIGRANT INVESTOR PROGRAM
Obtain Your EAD & AP in as Fast as 90 Days
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Expedited Processing and Concurrent Filing
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No English proficiency or educational requirements
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Individual applications accepted from the age of 7
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Investment requirement set at $800,000 under the new EB-5 policy
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Grants a single investment for securing green cards for the entire family
EB-5 IMMIGRANT INVESTOR PROGRAM
EB-5 Overview
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, established by the U.S. government in 1990 and known as Employment-Based Immigration: Fifth Preference (EB-5), is approved by the U.S. Congress. It aims to support the U.S. economy by bringing in capital and creating job opportunities. This program encourages foreign investors to obtain U.S. green cards through investment.
Investors who make the necessary investment in a U.S. government-approved commercial enterprise project and create 10 local jobs qualify themselves and their family members to become permanent residents of the United States.
EB-5 Investment Models:
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Direct Investment: The investor must be actively involved in the daily operations of the business.
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Regional Center Model: Investment is made indirectly through an intermediary agency, and the investor does not participate in the daily operations.
EB-5 Regional Center New Policy
In March 2022, the EB-5 Regional Center Program was reauthorized for five years, until September 30, 2027. A significant change in this reauthorization is the allocation of 32% of the annual quota of 10,000 EB-5 green cards to reserved categories, establishing a fast-track channel exempt from visa backlogs. These reserved green cards will be processed on a priority basis, meaning applicants under the new policy will not experience the lengthy waiting periods due to backlogging.
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20% of the green cards are reserved for projects in rural areas.
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10% are reserved for projects in areas with high unemployment rates.
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2% of green cards are reserved for infrastructure projects.
EB-5 Eligible Applicants
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International students in the U.S. holding temporary visas such as F-1, H-1B, J-1, OPT, CPT, L-1, etc.
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Parents planning to accompany their children studying in the U.S.
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Families with children born in the U.S.
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Individuals seeking to immigrate to the U.S. who do not have other suitable options available.
Streamlined Requirements
No restrictions on education, English proficiency, or work experience; the key requirement is to demonstrate the legality of the investment funds
Policy Stability and Priority Processing Under New Rules
EB-5 applications submitted under the new law receive priority processing, avoiding queues and backlog issues.
Early Access to Green Card Benefits for the Entire Family
Applicants can obtain EAD cards & AP within 3-6 months, enabling the applicant, spouse, and children to work, live, and study in the U.S.
Expedited Processing and Concurrent Filing
Applicants within the United States can simultaneously file the immigrant petition I-526E, the adjustment of status application I-485, the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) application I-756, and the Advance Parole (AP) document I-131. This allows for the possibility of receiving the EAD within as little as 90 days, enabling free employment and entrepreneurship in the U.S.
Grandfather Clause to Protect New Applicants
The new policy includes a "grandfather clause" that protects the interests of applicants. Investors who submit their applications before September 30, 2026 will have their EB-5 applications processed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, even if there are subsequent policy changes affecting the Regional Centers.
EB-5 Requirements
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No language proficiency requirement.
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No educational qualification requirement.
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No restrictions on business background.
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Eligible for independent application from the age of 7.
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According to immigration regulations, an investment of $800,000 in a designated geographical area or industry is required.
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The applicant only needs to prove the legal source of the investment funds.
Processing of EB-5
For Applicants Within the United States:
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Sign the contract.
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Select an investment project and funding source, then transfer the investment funds to the project account.
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Submit the I-526E immigration petition to USCIS, and concurrently file the Adjustment of Status (I-485), Employment Authorization Document (EAD, I-756), and Advance Parole (I-131).
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USCIS reviews the submitted materials.
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Receive the EAD approval notice in about 90 days.
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Receive the Advance Parole approval notice or approval letter within 3-6 months.
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Receive the I-526E petition approval notice within 10-15 months, and upon approval of the I-485 application, obtain a 2-year conditional green card.
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Submit the I-829 petition for permanent residency.
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Upon USCIS approval of the I-829 petition, receive the 10-year permanent green card.
For Applicants Outside the United States:
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Sign the contract.
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Select an investment project and funding source, then transfer the investment funds to the project account.
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Submit the I-526E immigration petition to USCIS.
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Receive the I-526E petition approval notice.
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USCIS sends the case to the National Visa Center (NVC) for background checks.
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Visa sent to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou.
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The U.S. Consulate notifies the main EB-5 applicant to attend an interview and complete a medical examination.
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Upon successful interview, the entire family receives immigrant visas.
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The family must enter the United States within six months to receive a 2-year conditional green card.
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Submit the I-829 petition for permanent residency.
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Upon USCIS approval of the I-829 petition, receive 10-year permanent green card.
Successful Cases
Q&A
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Q: How long does it take to process an EB-5 under the new policy?
A: For applicants within the United States, it is possible to receive the U.S. EAD (Employment Authorization Document) and Advance Parole within 3-6 months. The first applicant under the new EB-5 policy received their green card in just 11 months. Currently, applicants with an urgent need for U.S. residency should seize the opportunity to submit their immigration application while there is no visa backlog, and concurrently file the I-485 to lock in their legal status in the U.S. If a visa backlog occurs, those who have already submitted the I-485 can still legally work and freely enter and exit the U.S. with minimal impact.
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Q: Can applicants who submit their application in the U.S. leave the country before the green card is approved?
A: Yes, they can leave the U.S. if they apply for the I-131 Advance Parole (travel permit) and have a valid reason. Legitimate reasons typically include work, study, family, health, or other reasonable demands. Generally, they are allowed to return to the U.S. after leaving.
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Q: Is there a risk of policy changes affecting the new EB-5?
A: The new policy specifically includes a "grandfather clause" to protect the interests of applicants. Investors who submit their applications before September 30, 2026 will have their EB-5 applications processed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, even if there are subsequent policy changes affecting the Regional Centers. Therefore, it will not affect their immigration process or green card acquisition.
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Q: Can applicants who applied for EB-5 under the old policy use the quota of the new EB-5 policy if they are still waiting in the queue?
A: No, they cannot. The current policy of USCIS is "new rules for new applicants, old rules for existing applicants." If you have already submitted an EB-5 application under the old policy, you either continue to wait in the queue or invest in a new project and submit a new application to avoid the queue.
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Q: Are there residency requirements in the U.S. for holders of the EB-5 temporary green card?
A: There are no specific residency requirements for either temporary or permanent green card holders, but it is necessary to enter the U.S. at least once every six months. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, green card holders should not stay outside the U.S. for more than one year at a time and must enter the U.S. at least once a year. For those planning to become U.S. citizens or maintain permanent residency, it is advisable to enter the U.S. every six months, though there are no specific residency duration requirements.
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Q: During the I-829 submission for converting a temporary green card to a permanent one, is there a review process for the applicant?
A: When submitting the I-829, USCIS reviews two main aspects: first, whether the project has been physically developed (completion is not required) and the funds have been actually invested in the project; second, whether the indirect jobs created based on the actual expenditure are sufficient. The requirements for the applicant are simply not to withdraw the investment and to have entered the United States as required during the temporary green card period.