The EB-5 program was created in 1990 by the U.S. Congress with a dual purpose: attract foreign capital and stimulate job creation in the country. It is administered by USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), which ensures that every project meets strict standards.
In practical terms, EB-5 works like this: a foreign family participates in an approved project and, if all requirements are met, they may obtain permanent residency (Green Card) for the principal applicant, their spouse, and unmarried children under 21.
Key requirements include:
Contributing funds of lawful and documented origin.
Participating in a USCIS-certified project within approved categories.
Creating or preserving at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
The process unfolds in several stages (I-526E petition, conditional residency, and then permanent residency through I-829). On average, it takes between 3 to 5 years, depending on the project's location, applicant’s country of origin and processing times.
Editor's Note: The above commentary was provided by Eduardo Prato, a marketing specialist at Open EB5. He can be reached via email at: eduardoprato75@gmail.com. Click here to go to the company's website.
