Individuals from foreign countries who are investing here in the U.S. can have a wide range of immigration goals. Some might have a goal of becoming a permanent resident of the United States. Under current U.S. law, there is a green card route for investors. This route is the EB-5 program.

Now, the process of applying for an EB-5 green card has many complex aspects. The EB-5 program has various rules regarding what an investor has to do to qualify for permanent resident status under it. This includes rules on how much money they need to invest. What the specific eligibility requirements would be for an investor depends on the particulars of the investment they are making, such as whether it will be in a targeted employment area and whether it will be part of a regional center investment. Our page on EB-5 visas goes over some of the different investment routes under the EB-5 program and how eligibility requirements vary among these routes.

Given the complexity of the rules and processes related to the EB-5 program, trying to apply for a green card under this program without making the proper preparations could have all kinds of hazards. Missteps during the application process could significantly jeopardize an investor’s immigration goals.

So, when preparing to apply for an EB-5 visa, having the right information and guidance can be crucial for a foreign investor. This is why seeking out the advice of a lawyer highly knowledgeable on the processes and eligibility requirements for applying for an EB-5 green card can be an important step for foreign investors looking into the EB-5 program.