U.S. Citizenship by Investment: The Complete Guide
U.S. Citizenship by Investment (EB-5 Visa Guide)
Citizenship by investment remains one of the fastest and most dependable paths for foreign nationals to secure U.S. citizenship. The primary avenue is through obtaining an EB-5 green card. Since the program’s introduction in 1990, countless investors from around the world have
benefited from this visa classification, gaining permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship with all the rights and privileges that come with it.
How to Become a U.S. Citizen Through Investment
To achieve citizenship through investment, a foreign national must first apply for the EB-5 investor visa. Historically, EB-5 applicants were required to invest either $500,000 or $1 million into the U.S. economy. However, following the 2019 EB-5 Rule update, the minimum investment amount increased to $900,000 or $1.8 million, effective November 21, 2019.
Every year, the U.S. allocates 10,000 EB-5 visas to qualified applicants. Beyond simply investing, applicants must ensure that their investment creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers, in alignment with the program’s economic development objectives.
If you are considering this pathway, understanding each step of the EB-5 process is essential. Below is a detailed breakdown of the citizenship by investment process.
Step 1: Apply for the EB-5 Investor Visa
Your first step is locating a qualifying EB-5 project. Investments generally fall into two categories:
- Regional Center Projects: These are government-approved business entities that allow foreign investors to pool resources into large-scale projects, often in industries like real estate and hospitality. Regional centers help manage investment requirements and job creation criteria.
- Direct Investments: Here, the investor establishes or invests directly into a new business enterprise, assuming greater involvement and management responsibility.
Depending on the project’s location, the minimum investment requirement is:
- $900,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) – designated for areas with high unemployment or rural status.
- $1.8 million in non-TEA locations.
Once you select your project, you must place your capital “at risk,” meaning it must already be invested or in the process of being invested in the U.S. economy.
Step 2: File Form I-526 Petition
After committing your funds, the next step is filing Form I-526, which petitions the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for your EB-5 visa.
The petition requires:
- Your personal and family biographic details.
- A detailed business plan.
- Attorney-prepared evidence that your funds are at risk.
- Proof that your capital was acquired through lawful means.
On average, USCIS takes 12–18 months to process Form I-526. Once approved, you will receive an official notification of acceptance.
Step 3: Obtain Conditional Permanent Residence
Approval of the I-526 allows you to apply for conditional residence:
- If outside the U.S., you must complete Form DS-260 through a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- If already in the U.S., you must file Form I-485 to adjust your status.
Once approved, you and your family members are granted two years of conditional permanent residency. During this time, you must comply with all immigration, state, and federal laws. You must also maintain physical presence in the U.S. and avoid extended absences of over one year without a re-entry permit.
This two-year conditional period serves as a probationary phase to verify compliance with EB-5 program requirements.
Step 4: File Form I-829 to Remove Conditions
Within 90 days before your conditional green card expires, you must file Form I-829 to remove conditions and obtain permanent residency. This is a critical and highly scrutinized step.
Evidence you must provide includes:
- Investment Proof: Documentation showing the required capital remains invested in a USCIS-approved EB-5 enterprise.
- Job Creation Evidence: Payroll records, I-9 forms, and tax documents demonstrating at least 10 full-time jobs created for qualifying U.S. workers.
- Job Preservation (if applicable): For existing businesses, records showing that the enterprise maintained its workforce.
Typically, USCIS processes I-829 petitions within 6–8 months. If approved, conditions on your residency are removed, and you become a lawful permanent resident without restrictions.
Final Step: Path to U.S. Citizenship
Once you achieve permanent residency, you are on track to naturalization. After maintaining permanent resident status for the required period (generally five years), you may apply for U.S. citizenship and enjoy full rights and privileges as an American citizen.
Why Choose Green Card Link?
The EB-5 process is complex and requires strict compliance with immigration regulations. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys provide step-by-step guidance, ensuring that your petitions, documentation, and investment compliance meet USCIS standards. By partnering with experienced immigration attorneys at Green Card Link, you maximize your chances of approval and secure a reliable path toward U.S. citizenship through investment.
U.S. Citizenship by Investment (EB-5 Visa Guide)
Citizenship by investment remains one of the fastest and most dependable paths for foreign nationals to secure U.S. citizenship. The primary avenue is through obtaining an EB-5 green card. Since the program’s introduction in 1990, countless investors from around the world have benefited from this visa classification, gaining permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship with all the rights and privileges that come with it.
How to Become a U.S. Citizen Through Investment
To achieve citizenship through investment, a foreign national must first apply for the EB-5 investor visa. Historically, EB-5 applicants were required to invest either $500,000 or $1 million into the U.S. economy. However, following the 2019 EB-5 Rule update, the minimum investment amount increased to $900,000 or $1.8 million, effective November 21, 2019.
Every year, the U.S. allocates 10,000 EB-5 visas to qualified applicants. Beyond simply investing, applicants must ensure that their investment creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers, in alignment with the program’s economic development objectives.
If you are considering this pathway, understanding each step of the EB-5 process is essential. Below is a detailed breakdown of the citizenship by investment process.
Step 1: Apply for the EB-5 Investor Visa
Your first step is locating a qualifying EB-5 project. Investments generally fall into two categories:
- Regional Center Projects: These are government-approved business entities that allow foreign investors to pool resources into large-scale projects, often in industries like real estate and hospitality. Regional centers help manage investment requirements and job creation criteria.
- Direct Investments: Here, the investor establishes or invests directly into a new business enterprise, assuming greater involvement and management responsibility.
Depending on the project’s location, the minimum investment requirement is:
- $900,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) – designated for areas with high unemployment or rural status.
- $1.8 million in non-TEA locations.
Once you select your project, you must place your capital “at risk,” meaning it must already be invested or in the process of being invested in the U.S. economy.
Step 2: File Form I-526 Petition
After committing your funds, the next step is filing Form I-526, which petitions the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for your EB-5 visa.
The petition requires:
- Your personal and family biographic details.
- A detailed business plan.
- Attorney-prepared evidence that your funds are at risk.
- Proof that your capital was acquired through lawful means.
On average, USCIS takes 12–18 months to process Form I-526. Once approved, you will receive an official notification of acceptance.
Step 3: Obtain Conditional Permanent Residence
Approval of the I-526 allows you to apply for conditional residence:
- If outside the U.S., you must complete Form DS-260 through a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- If already in the U.S., you must file Form I-485 to adjust your status.
Once approved, you and your family members are granted two years of conditional permanent residency. During this time, you must comply with all immigration, state, and federal laws. You must also maintain physical presence in the U.S. and avoid extended absences of over one year without a re-entry permit.
This two-year conditional period serves as a probationary phase to verify compliance with EB-5 program requirements.
Step 4: File Form I-829 to Remove Conditions
Within 90 days before your conditional green card expires, you must file Form I-829 to remove conditions and obtain permanent residency. This is a critical and highly scrutinized step.
Evidence you must provide includes:
- Investment Proof: Documentation showing the required capital remains invested in a USCIS-approved EB-5 enterprise.
- Job Creation Evidence: Payroll records, I-9 forms, and tax documents demonstrating at least 10 full-time jobs created for qualifying U.S. workers.
- Job Preservation (if applicable): For existing businesses, records showing that the enterprise maintained its workforce.
Typically, USCIS processes I-829 petitions within 6–8 months. If approved, conditions on your residency are removed, and you become a lawful permanent resident without restrictions.
Final Step: Path to U.S. Citizenship
Once you achieve permanent residency, you are on track to naturalization. After maintaining permanent resident status for the required period (generally five years), you may apply for U.S. citizenship and enjoy full rights and privileges as an American citizen.
Why Choose Green Card Link?
The EB-5 process is complex and requires strict compliance with immigration regulations. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys provide step-by-step guidance, ensuring that your petitions, documentation, and investment compliance meet USCIS standards. By partnering with experienced immigration attorneys at Green Card Link, you maximize your chances of approval and secure a reliable path toward U.S. citizenship through investment.