U.S. Green Card: How to Invest in the American Dream

The EB-5 program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1990 to stimulate economic growth and attract foreign investment. Today, applicants may qualify by investing a minimum of $800,000 in projects that create at least 10 jobs for U.S. workers.

Investments can be made directly into a business or through licensed Regional Centers. A key requirement is proving the lawful source of investment funds. U.S. authorities require detailed documentation of how the money was obtained. Sources may include salaries, dividends, business or property sales, inheritance, as well as loans or credit backed by proper legal documentation.

Regional Centers are entities licensed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to pool foreign capital and direct it into large-scale infrastructure or development projects, such as residential complexes, hotels, schools, sports arenas, or transportation hubs.

This option is particularly attractive to investors who wish to minimize personal involvement in day-to-day business operations. Regional Center projects have clearly defined timelines for investment and capital return. They also manage job-creation reporting and ensure transparency in compliance with EB-5 requirements. For these reasons, most investors choose Regional Centers, as they allow them to focus on the main objective — obtaining a Green Card and eventually U.S. citizenship — while minimizing operational and administrative burdens.

On average, obtaining a Green Card through EB-5 takes between 1 and 2 years:

1.    Preparation of documents and filing of Form I-526E — 1 to 3 months.

2.    Review and issuance of a conditional Green Card valid for 2 years — 1 to 2 years.

3.    Filing Form I-829 and receiving a permanent Green Card — after 2 years of conditional residency.

4.    Eligibility to apply for U.S. citizenship — 5 years from the date of the first Green Card.

Families investing in priority projects may benefit from expedited processing. Applicants already residing in the U.S. may also file for EB-5 from within the country.

An EB-5 applicant first receives a conditional (temporary) Green Card valid for 2 years. After this period, they must file Form I-829 to remove conditions and obtain a permanent Green Card. The five-year countdown toward citizenship begins from the date of the first (conditional) Green Card. After this period, the investor and their family may apply for U.S. citizenship.

The principal applicant can include a spouse and children under 21 years of age. This provides:

•    The right to live and work anywhere in the U.S.

•    Access to high-quality education with resident tuition benefits.

•    Social security benefits and the prospect of citizenship.

•    A secure environment for long-term planning and passing on status to future generations.

The EB-5 program is subject to periodic updates, and experts note the risk of potential closure or stricter requirements in the future. For this reason, prospective investors are advised to define their goals early and begin the process promptly. Acting in advance allows them to take advantage of current opportunities and secure a reliable path for themselves and their families to a new life in the United States without incurring additional costs.

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