🇺🇸 U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
The statutory minimum investment for the U.S. EB-5 immigrant investor program in 2026 remains US$800,000 (rural, high-unemployment, or infrastructure projects) or US$1,050,000 (other areas), and at least 10 full-time jobs must be created, with a two-year conditional green card obtained first. Regional center program authorization runs through September 30, 2027; the investment amount is adjusted for inflation every five years beginning January 1, 2027. The following is a neutral summary based on USCIS and Congressional Research Service materials and is subject to the latest official announcements.
U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Key Requirements Overview
| Type | Fifth employment-based preference category (EB-5); confers conditional permanent residence, which converts to a permanent green card through I-829 after approximately two years |
|---|---|
| Minimum Investment Threshold | US$800,000 (rural / high-unemployment / infrastructure projects) / US$1,050,000 (other areas) |
| Primary investment methods. | Direct investment (I-526, counting direct jobs only) or regional center (I-526E, which may count indirect jobs); at least 10 full-time jobs must be created |
| Annual allocation | Approximately 9,940 (7.1% of the 140,000 total employment-based visa allocation, including spouses and children); 7% cap per country of birth |
| Reserved visas | 20% rural, 10% high-unemployment, and 2% infrastructure annually |
| Residency Requirements | After obtaining a green card, the United States must be one's permanent place of residence |
| Pathways to citizenship. | Generally, green card holders may apply for naturalization after 5 years and if they meet the requirements |
| Dependent relatives | Spouse and unmarried children under 21 |
| Processing Timeline | Several years, depending on country-of-birth visa retrogression (Visa Bulletin) and USCIS processing |
| Recent Changes | Regional center authorization through 2027-09-30; investment amount adjusted for inflation every 5 years from 2027-01-01; fee adjustment remains a proposal (2025-10) |
U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Key considerations
- Investments inherently carry risks, and the 'legitimacy of fund sources' is a key focus of scrutiny, requiring comprehensive documentation.
- Waiting times (visa bulletin) vary significantly based on country of birth.
- The employment calculation method for Regional Center models differs from that of direct investment.
What is the minimum EB-5 investment amount in 2026? Will it increase in 2027?
According to the USCIS EB-5 program description dated June 4, 2026, investors must invest at least US$800,000 (in infrastructure projects, rural areas, or designated high-unemployment areas) or US$1,050,000, and create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs in the United States.
According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA) provides that both amounts are adjusted every five years beginning January 1, 2027, based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), and published in the Federal Register. In other words, the thresholds may increase from 2027, and the exact amounts will be subject to the announcement at that time. The figures of US$900,000/US$1,800,000 on the USCIS website come from the 2019 rule, which was vacated by a court and no longer applies.
Source.: USCIS — EB-5 Investor Program (version dated 2026-06-04)
Will the EB-5 regional center program expire in 2027? Is there a deadline for direct investment?
The regional center program is a temporary authorization. It lapsed from July 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022, and was subsequently reauthorized by the RIA through September 30, 2027; direct investment (standalone) is a permanent provision with no expiration date. As of June 2026, there were 567 USCIS-approved regional centers in operation, and more than 97% of investment was located in rural or high-unemployment areas.
Regional centers must annually certify continued eligibility and pay the annual EB-5 Integrity Fund fee (US$20,000 where there are more than 20 investors; US$10,000 for 20 or fewer). If Congress does not extend the program before expiration, whether new filings may be submitted and how pending filings will be handled will be subject to law and USCIS announcements at that time.
Source.: USCIS — EB-5 Investor Program (version dated 2026-06-04)
Are EB-5 applicants born in Taiwan subject to visa retrogression?
EB-5 has approximately 9,940 visas per year (including spouses and children), and no single country of birth may exceed 7% of the annual allocation. Visa retrogression is determined by country of birth, not nationality. According to CRS data, as of December 2024, there were 12,252 approved I-526/I-526E petitions awaiting visa numbers, of which 99% were from investors born in mainland China.
Whether applicants born in Taiwan need to wait depends on the country-of-birth classification and reserved categories (rural, high-unemployment, infrastructure) in the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for that month. Dates change each month; before filing, please rely on the latest bulletin.
How does the Trump Gold Card differ from EB-5?
According to trumpcard.gov, the individual Gold Card requires a US$1 million contribution (payable after completion of vetting) and a non-refundable US$15,000 DHS processing fee. Approval confers permanent residence in the EB-1 or EB-2 category, subject to visa availability.
EB-5 is the investment immigration category under Section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act: the funds are an investment, not a donation, must be at risk and create 10 jobs, and convert to a permanent green card only after I-829 approval. The Gold Card is a new system advanced by executive order, and its rules may change; approval is determined by official review, so please refer to official announcements.
Source.: Trump Gold Card official website (trumpcard.gov)
U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Application Process
- Confirm the investment route (regional center project or direct investment) and whether the project is located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), and prepare source of funds and financial trail documents.
- Complete a qualifying investment (approximately US$800,000 in a TEA or US$1,050,000 in other areas, and create at least 10 full-time jobs), then file Form I-526E with USCIS.
- After I-526E approval, those overseas go through consular processing for an immigrant visa, while those in the U.S. file I-485 to adjust status, obtaining conditional permanent residence for two years.
- Within 90 days before the conditional residence expires, file Form I-829 to remove conditions; after USCIS approval, obtain lawful permanent residence (green card).
U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum investment amount for EB-5?
Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, the minimum is US$800,000 for investment in rural areas, high-unemployment areas, or infrastructure projects, and US$1,050,000 for other areas, with at least 10 full-time jobs to be created. Both amounts are adjusted for inflation every five years beginning January 1, 2027, subject to USCIS announcements.
How long does it generally take to get a green card through EB-5?
Timelines vary depending on the applicant's country of birth visa bulletin, I-526E petition processing speed, and individual circumstances; the authorities do not commit to specific case timelines. Upon approval of I-526E and completion of immigrant visa or adjustment of status, a conditional permanent residence (green card) is granted first, and after approximately two years, conditions are removed via Form I-829. For exact priority dates and processing times, please refer to USCIS and the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin.
Can the EB-5 include family members in the application?
Yes. The main applicant may generally include the spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age in the application for conditional permanent residence. Age calculation for children may involve the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA); exact eligibility and documentation are assessed by USCIS on a case-by-case basis, and approval is determined accordingly.
How long does it take for the obtained green card to become a permanent green card?
EB-5 investors first obtain conditional permanent residence valid for approximately two years; they must file Form I-829 within 90 days before expiration, demonstrating that the investment has been maintained and job creation requirements have been met. Conditions are removed and a permanent green card is issued only after USCIS approval. Whether conditions can be removed depends on compliance with program rules, as determined by USCIS on a case-by-case basis.
What is the difference between a Regional Center and direct investment?
Direct investment involves establishing or investing in a business and directly creating 10 full-time jobs; the regional center program invests in USCIS-designated regional center projects, where job creation may include indirect and induced jobs, and management is typically passive. The two differ in job creation requirements, risk, and level of involvement. The authorization and regulations for regional center programs are subject to USCIS announcements; investment capital remains at risk with no guaranteed returns.
Is the EB-5 investment amount guaranteed to be returned? What are the risks?
EB-5 investments are legally required to be "at risk," and the principal may not be fully recoverable. If the investment project performs poorly or fails, it may not only result in financial loss but also affect the green card application. It is advisable to carefully evaluate the project and the track record of the regional center before deciding.
What are "set-aside" visa categories? Do they help with waiting times?
The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA) reserves a certain number of visas for rural areas, high-unemployment areas, and infrastructure projects. These categories may have shorter waiting times than the general category in some cases, but the actual situation is subject to the U.S. Department of State's Visa Bulletin.
Does an EB-5 application require proof of source of funds?
Yes. Applicants must fully explain and provide evidence of the legal source and flow of investment funds. Incomplete documentation or inability to explain the source may lead to requests for additional information or rejection.
After obtaining an EB-5 green card, how long must one reside in the U.S. to maintain status?
Green card holders must maintain the intention to make the U.S. their permanent residence. Extended absence or effectively abandoning residence may affect status. Relevant regulations are subject to USCIS and entry rules.
Can EB-5 still be applied for after 2027?
Direct investment (I-526) is a permanent provision with no expiration date. The regional center program (I-526E) is currently authorized through September 30, 2027, and whether it will be extended after expiration is for the U.S. Congress to decide. In addition, the investment amount is adjusted for inflation every five years beginning January 1, 2027; the timing of filing may affect the applicable amount, subject to USCIS and Federal Register announcements.
Can the Trump Gold Card replace EB-5?
The two currently coexist. EB-5 is established by legislation in Congress, while the Gold Card is advanced by executive order: the Gold Card is a US$1 million donation plus a US$15,000 processing fee, obtaining EB-1 or EB-2 permanent residence; EB-5 is a US$800,000 or US$1.05 million at-risk investment that must create 10 jobs. The nature of the funds and the risks differ, and approval in either case is determined by official review. The rules for both may change, so please refer to announcements from trumpcard.gov and USCIS.
How to verify if an investment immigration program is still valid and avoid misleading claims?
The conditions of investment immigration programs often change or may even be suspended. Recommendations: ① Check official announcements from the country's immigration or investment authority (official source links are provided at the bottom of this page). ② Verify the data date indicated on this page. ③ Before engaging a consultant, check whether they are registered with the relevant regulatory body (e.g., Australia's OMARA, Canada's CICC; for lawyers, check with the local bar association). ④ Be wary of exaggerated claims such as "guaranteed approval" or "exempt from review." This site provides a neutral compilation of public information, and all content is subject to the latest official announcements.
About U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, people often ask:
U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program official source
- USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- USCIS — EB-5 Investor Program (version dated 2026-06-04)
- Congressional Research Service (CRS) IF13040 "Overview of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program" (2025-06-23)
- Trump Gold Card official website (trumpcard.gov)
- Federal Register — EB-5 fee adjustment proposal (2025-10-23 Proposed Rule)
Official sources: USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) · Data Date: 2026-10-19.This page is a neutral compilation of public data for reference only; it is not immigration/legal advice. Programs are subject to the latest official announcements.