EB-5 explained
See the benefits, understand the commitments and follow the nine steps to permanent residence. We coordinate the process and remain your main point of contact.
Why consider EB-5?
A qualifying investment can open a route to permanent U.S. residence for you and your eligible family.
Choose where to live and pursue your education or career as a permanent resident.
A Green Card generally lets you change employers or start a business without H-1B sponsorship.
Eligible applicants in the U.S. can request a separate permit with adjustment of status. Work only once authorised.
One principal investment can support you, your spouse and qualifying unmarried children under 21, subject to age-protection rules.
Considering a rural project? Qualifying rural petitions receive statutory priority processing, with 20% of annual EB-5 visas reserved for rural investments.
Start with the essentials
From $800,000 for a qualifying TEA or infrastructure investment; $1,050,000 otherwise, plus fees. Capital must be at risk.
The regional center project must support the required qualifying jobs. The economic evidence is part of the petition.
The investor, eligible spouse and qualifying children can apply. Initial residence is conditional for two years.
The whole journey, one step at a time
Select a stage for the essentials. Nine steps, with Residency First as your main point of contact.
Preparation · within your control
Confirm who will apply, which family members can join and whether any immigration or child-age issues need early review.
A clear service scope, your main contact at Residency First and the issues requiring specialist review.
Preparation · shared with your advisers
Compare qualifying regional center projects, their finances, job evidence, fees and investment terms before committing.
A documented review before any commitment.
Preparation · document-dependent
Document how the money was lawfully earned and transferred. We organise preparation and coordinate review by a recommended attorney.
A coherent, evidence-backed source and path of funds.
Milestone · coordinated filing
Make the qualifying investment and file I-526E. Eligible U.S. applicants may also file for adjustment and a separate work permit; work only once authorised.
Filed petition and receipt; these do not confer residence.
Government stage · USCIS review
USCIS approves your I-526E petition after reviewing the evidence. Check your priority date and visa category for the next stage; rural petitions receive priority processing.
I-526E approval; visa availability determines when residence can be finalised.
Government stage · individual eligibility
Complete consular processing outside the U.S., or adjustment of status if eligible inside the U.S. These routes lead to permanent residence.
Visa application → interview → admission
I-485 application → USCIS decision
Admission as a resident or approval of adjustment of status.
Statutory stage · two years
Initial EB-5 permanent residence is conditional for two years. Plan relocation, travel, tax obligations and your I-829 filing calendar.
A calendar for residence obligations and removal of conditions.
Filing window · before the second anniversary
Generally file I-829 during the 90 days before the second anniversary of conditional residence, with investment and job-creation evidence.
A request to remove conditions, not an investment repayment request.
Ongoing · your family’s priorities
After conditions are removed, maintain U.S. residence and plan your family’s future. Investment repayment follows project terms and performance separately.
An enduring U.S. residence plan and informed investment monitoring.
Preparation can overlap. Eligible applicants in the U.S. may file concurrently; USCIS review and visa availability determine the government stages.
Keep both paths in view
Milestones are shown in sequence.
Spacing does not represent elapsed time.
*Investment exit and repayment follow project performance and contractual terms, separately from immigration milestones.
Discuss your family, country of birth, immigration history, objectives and available capital. Identify children whose age requires early legal review.
Milestone: A clear service scope, your main contact at Residency First and the issues requiring specialist review.
Compare qualifying regional center projects. Review project finances, job-creation assumptions, capital structure, offering terms, fees and conflicts. Verify the parties and their respective roles.
Milestone: A documented review before any commitment.
We help organise records showing how the capital was earned and every material transfer. One of our recommended attorneys carries out the legal review of tax records, business documents, gifts or loans; we coordinate document requests, translations and follow-up.
Milestone: A coherent, evidence-backed source and path of funds.
Review subscription and escrow terms, make the qualifying investment or meet the applicable active-investment requirements, and file Form I-526E for the regional center investment.
Milestone: Filed petition and receipt; these do not confer residence.
USCIS reviews the I-526E petition and may request further evidence before making its decision. Approval confirms the petition stage. We coordinate updates and check your priority date, category and visa availability for the next residence-processing stage.
Milestone: I-526E approval; visa availability determines when residence can be finalised.
Outside the U.S., complete National Visa Center and consular steps, including the immigrant visa application, medical examination and interview. Eligible applicants inside the U.S. may pursue I-485 adjustment; concurrent filing is available only where the legal and visa-availability conditions are met.
Milestone: Admission as a resident or approval of adjustment of status.
Your initial EB-5 permanent residence is conditional. Plan family relocation, tax matters, travel and document retention while monitoring the investment and jobs.
Milestone: A calendar for residence obligations and removal of conditions.
Generally file during the 90 days immediately before the second anniversary of obtaining conditional residence. We coordinate the evidence collection and follow-up with a recommended attorney, who prepares the legal submission concerning the investment and required jobs. Processing may extend beyond the initial card period; follow current USCIS documentation guidance.
Milestone: A request to remove conditions, not an investment repayment request.
After removal of conditions, continue to maintain residence and meet tax and reporting obligations. Review education, employment, business interests and travel plans. Follow project reporting and contractual exit terms separately.
Milestone: An enduring U.S. residence plan and informed investment monitoring.
Sources: USCIS · I-526E instructions · USCIS · I-829 instructions · eCFR · removal of conditions, 8 CFR 216.6 · Department of State · October 2026 Visa Bulletin
Read. Save. Share.
Free two-page guides to read, save and share. Each PDF opens in a new tab.
Work permit options while EB-5 is pending. For students and parents.
PDF · 2 pages · Opens in a new tabThe opportunity, commitments and five common misconceptions.
PDF · 2 pages · Opens in a new tabCountry of birth, older children, funds and life between countries.
PDF · 2 pages · Opens in a new tabQuestions about status, concurrent filing, work and travel.
PDF · 2 pages · Opens in a new tabDocuments, financing, job evidence, fees and conflicts.
PDF · 2 pages · Opens in a new tabFree consultation · no obligation
You know the essentials. Now discuss your family, the investment commitment and the questions to resolve before choosing a project.
100% approval recordOur adjudicated EB-5 applications, to date.
