For many Vietnamese families, the EB-5 “Immigrant Investor” visa is one of the most direct ways to pursue U.S. lawful permanent residence (“Green Card”).
However, EB-5 is not simply a matter of investing money and receiving a Green Card. Instead, it is a highly regulated U.S. immigration visa category with detailed requirements. Vietnamese investors should understand the investment amount, Source of Funds (“SOF”) documentation, the path of funds in making the investment, Project risks, processing timeline, and consular process before deciding whether EB-5 is worth it.
In 2026, this decision is especially important as the required EB-5 investment is substantial.
Moreover, for Vietnamese citizens, local issues such as real estate proceeds, business income, currency transfers, and interview processing can all affect the case.
Enterline and Partners helps Vietnamese investors evaluate EB-5 eligibility, prepare source of funds documentation, and plan the next steps toward a Green Card through investment.
Managing Partner David Enterline is a pioneer in the EB-5 legal community with over 15 years of experience representing EB-5 investors in obtaining Green Cards for families, including investors with complex source of funds, business ownership and cross-border financial issues.
What the EB-5 Visa Offers Vietnamese Investors
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows eligible Vietnamese citizens to pursue a Green Card by investing in a qualifying U.S. business that creates employment.
According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), the EB-5 classification is for investors who invest the required minimum amount of capital in a new commercial enterprise and create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers.
For Vietnamese investors, the EB-5 can offer several major benefits:
- A Green Card pathway for the investor, spouse, and unmarried children under 21;
- No requirement for a U.S. employer sponsor;
- No requirement for a U.S. family sponsor;
- The ability to live and work in the United States;
- Potential educational advantages for children planning to study in the United States;
- A pathway to U.S. citizenship after meeting naturalization requirements.
This can be valuable for Vietnamese families who do not want to rely on temporary student visas, employer-sponsored visas, or future lottery-based work visa options. The EB-5 category may also be appealing for families who want to plan early before their children reach university age.
You should treat EB-5 as both an immigration process and an investment decision. Your investment must meet U.S. immigration rules, and your money must be invested “at risk.” There can be no guarantee that you will receive back your investment.
Before moving forward, make sure you understand both the immigration strategy and the financial structure of the investment. Consult with an experienced U.S. immigration attorney today.
EB-5 Investment Amounts in USD and VND
The investment amount depends on whether the business or “Project” is in a High Unemployment Area, Rural Area or a qualifying Infrastructure Project, which can be generally referred to as a Targeted Employment Area.
| EB-5 Investment Type | Minimum Investment |
| Targeted Employment Area | US$800,000 |
| None Targeted Employment Area | US$1,050,000 |
For Vietnamese investors, the VND equivalent changes with the exchange rate. Using an estimated exchange rate of about VND26,000 to US$1, the rough conversion would be:
| EB-5 Investment Type | Approximate VND |
| Targeted Employment Area | VND20.8 Billion |
| None Targeted Employment Area | VND27.3 Billion |
These figures are estimates only. Exchange rates change, and investors should confirm the actual rate at the time of transfer.
Full Cost Breakdown for Vietnamese EB-5 Investors
While the investment is the highest cost, potential investors should budget for the full process and consider other expenses.
Regional Center Administrative Fees
Regional Center Projects usually charge administrative fees separate from the investment amount. These fees vary by Project and may cover offering documents, Project administration, marketing, compliance, or Regional Center costs.
USCIS and Government Fees
Government filing fees include fees for the Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor or Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor (together a “Petition”); immigrant visa processing fees; adjustment of status fees if the investor is already in the U.S.; visa application fees, Green Card issuance fees, and the fee remove the 2-year condition on an investor’s lawful permanent resident status.
You can check the USCIS official fee schedule for current filing fees, which can change over time.
As of June 2026, common EB-5 government fees include:
- Form I-526, Standalone Investor Petition: $3,675
- Form I-526E, Regional Center Investor Petition: $3,675
- EB-5 Integrity Fund fee: $1,000
- Employment-based immigrant visa application fee: $345 per applicant completing consular processing
- USCIS Immigrant Fee: $235 per person for production of the Green Card after immigrant visa approval
- Form I-485, Adjustment of Status: $1,440 per applicant, when applying from within the United States
- Form I-829, Petition to Remove Conditions: $3,750.
Legal Fees
The EB-5 legal fees usually reflect the complexity of the case. A Vietnamese investor with a simple salary-based source of funds may require less documentation than an investor using business income, retained earnings, real estate proceeds, gifts, loans, or multiple family sources.
Legal work may include reviewing the SOF, tracing the path of funds, preparing the Form I-526E or Form I-526, reviewing Project documents, coordinating translations, responding to USCIS Requests for Evidence (“RFE”), and assisting with National Visa Center (“NVC”) and consular processing steps.
Translation, Tax, Banking, and Professional Costs
Vietnamese investors may also need certified translations, accounting records, tax support, bank documentation, company records, real estate transaction documents, and other professional help.
These costs vary, but they can be important because EB-5 cases depend heavily on clear documentation.
Vietnamese investor calculating EB-5 costs.
Why SOF Is Vital in Vietnam EB-5 Cases
The SOF is one of the most important parts of a Vietnamese EB-5 case.
The USCIS does not only ask whether the investor has enough money. It asks whether the funds were obtained lawfully and whether the investor can document how the money moved into the EB-5 investment.
This is where Vietnamese EB-5 cases become more complex.
Common sources of EB-5 funds for Vietnamese investors include:
- Sale or mortgage of real estate in Vietnam;
- Business income;
- Company dividends or retained earnings;
- Salary and savings;
- Gifts from parents or relatives;
- Inheritance;
- Secured loans;
- Sale of shares or business assets;
- Investment income.
Each source requires a different document strategy.
For example, a real estate sale may require land use right certificates, purchase records, sale contracts, tax receipts, bank statements, and proof of how the property was originally acquired; the source of the funds used to purchase the property. A business-income case may require company registration documents, tax records, financial statements, proof of ownership, dividend records, and bank transfers.
A gift case may require documentation not only from the investor but also from the person giving the gift. If parents give money to a child for EB-5, USCIS will still want to understand how the parents earned the funds.
Before transferring funds or filing a Petition, Vietnamese investors should review their SOF with an experienced U.S. immigration attorney. Enterline and Partners helps EB-5 investors in Vietnam prepare clear documentation and plan the next steps from its Ho Chi Minh City office.
Schedule a consultation today.
Consular Processing for Vietnamese EB-5 Applicants
Many Vietnamese EB-5 investors will complete immigrant visa processing through the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City after USCIS approves the EB-5 Petition and the case clears the Department of State’s National Visa Center.
Immigrant visa applicants must complete the required steps before the interview, including registering online, completing a medical examination with an approved panel physician, and preparing required documents. All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, must complete a medical exam before receiving a visa.
For EB-5 applicants, the consular interview may review identity, family eligibility, prior immigration history, admissibility, civil documents, and consistency with the approved petition.
The consular officer may ask questions about prior U.S. visa refusals, overstays, criminal issues, family relationships, or other matters relevant to immigrant visa eligibility.
EB-5 Visa Availability for Vietnamese Investors in 2026
The Visa Bulletin lists EB-5 reserved categories, including Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure set-aside categories. It also shows that 20% of EB-5 visas are reserved for new investments for qualified EB-5 Petitioners investing in Rural areas, 10% reserved for High Unemployment areas, and 2% reserved for investments in Infrastructure Projects.
For Vietnamese investors, visa availability should be reviewed before you file a Petition and monitored throughout the case. Increased demand in the EB-5 category can affect whether you may face a waiting period before being eligible for a visa.
EB-5 Risks Vietnamese Investors Should Understand
An EB-5 visa can be worthwhile, but it is not risk-free. Before committing funds, you should understand the main risks:
- Immigration risk: The USCIS may deny the Petition if the investor cannot prove eligibility, a lawful source of funds, a clear transfer history, or job creation requirements.
- Investment risk: The EB-5 capital must remain at risk. Repayment is not guaranteed, and while it is acceptable that the Project has an exit strategy by which the investor may receive back their investment, the Project may underperform, simply fail, or take longer than expected to return funds.
- Project risk: Regional center Projects vary. Investors should review the business plan, offering documents, job creation analysis, repayment strategy, developer background, and EB-5 experience and history.
- Timing risk: USCIS processing, visa bulletin movement, NVC review, consular scheduling, and policy changes can all affect the timeline.
- Child age-out risk: Families with children close to turning 21 years old should review timing early. Delays can affect whether a child remains eligible as a derivative beneficiary.
How Vietnamese Investors Can Reduce EB-5 Risk
No one can guarantee EB-5 approval or investment repayment. However, you can reduce risk through careful planning.
1. Review the SOF First
Before choosing a Project, you should review whether you can document your funds. This can prevent problems later.
If your funds come from real estate, business income, gifts, or loans, identify the necessary documents before filing.
2. Choose the Project Carefully
Do not select a Project based only on marketing materials or seminar presentations. You should review whether the Project appears credible from both an immigration and investment standpoint.
3. Keep a Clear Fund Transfer Trail
Document every transfer. For example, you should keep bank statements, receipts, wire records, currency exchange records, and confirmations showing how your money moved.
4. Understand the Exit Strategy
Ask when repayment may occur, what conditions must be met, what risks could delay repayment, and whether repayment depends on refinancing, Project sale, cash flow, or another event.
5. Work With Experienced EB-5 Lawyer
EB-5 is document-intensive. A U.S. immigration lawyer familiar with EB-5 and Vietnamese investors’ issues can help identify problems before they become USCIS issues.
Potential investor consulting with an EB-5 visa attorney.
Questions Vietnamese Investors Should Answer Before Filing an EB-5 Petition
Before committing to an EB-5 investment, Vietnamese investors should have clear answers to the following:
- Can you document your source of funds?
This is the most important question. You must clearly explain where your money came from the SOF and have documentation to support it. - Do you plan to live in the United States?
A Green Card requires maintaining primary residence in the United States. If you do not plan to relocate, the Green Card may be lost later due to failure to meet the residency requirement. - How old are your children?
If your children are approaching age 21, timing becomes critical. A child who ages out during processing may no longer qualify as a derivative beneficiary on your Petition. - Have you carefully evaluated the Project?
Do not select a Project because it was referred to you or has low administrative fees. The Project’s track record, exit strategy, and EB-5 compliance history all matter as much as the investment amount. - Do you have legal support from the beginning?
Many EB-5 Petition problems originate from incorrect or incomplete SOF documentation prepared before the funds are transferred. Once the money has moved, correcting the record becomes impossible.
EB-5 vs. Other Investment Immigration Options
Vietnamese investors often compare EB-5 with other U.S. immigration options, but each path serves a different purpose.
- L-1 and EB-1C: Some Vietnamese business owners expand a company to the U.S. through an L-1 Visa (a non-immigrant U.S. work visa for intracompany transfers), then later consider the EB-1C (employment-based, first-preference visa) as a multinational manager or executive. This route requires a qualifying business relationship, active operations, and strong managerial or executive evidence and the total investment required might easily reach the same amount in an EB-5 case.
- F-1 Student Visa: Some families first send children to the U.S. on F-1 student visas. This can support education goals, but a path to a Green Card after graduation can be long and difficult with no guarantee.
- EB-3 Other Worker: This is a popular immigrant visa category for Vietnamese, but it is often incorrectly labeled as an “investment” option. This is a Green Card based on a job offer and the employer going through a complex process. This category may not be suitable for everyone. An applicant must be carefully screened. Moreover, because of worldwide high demand, an applicant should expect to wait 5 to 6 years before a visa becomes available.
Timeline From EB-5 Investment to Green Card
The EB-5 timeline can vary, but Vietnamese investors should generally expect several stages:
- Select a Project and prepare the source of funds documents.
This stage may take weeks or months, depending on how complex the investor’s funds are.
- File the EB-5 Petition.
For Regional Center investors, this is the Form I-526E.
- Wait for USCIS review.
The USCIS reviews the Petition, investment documents, SOF, and Project-related evidence. Processing times can vary.
- NVC Processing.
After approval and visa availability, the case moves to the National Visa Center. The investor submits required forms, civil documents, and fees.
- Attend the immigrant visa interview.
At this stage, the investor and eligible family members attend the required interview, answer questions about their application, and provide any remaining documents requested before visa issuance.
- Enter the United States and become conditional lawful permanent residents.
When an EB-5 investor and eligible family members enter the United States with immigrant visas, or receive approval of their adjustment of status applications, they become conditional lawful permanent residents for two years.
During this period, they generally have the same rights and responsibilities as other Green Card holders, including the ability to live and work in the United States. However, their status remains conditional until USCIS confirms that the EB-5 requirements have been satisfied and removes the condition.
- File Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status.
Near the end of the conditional residence period, the investor files a Form I-829 Petition. USCIS then reviews whether the required investment was sustained and whether the required jobs were created.
If USCIS approves the Form I-829 Petition, the conditions are removed, and the investor and qualifying family members become lawful permanent residents without conditions.
Is EB-5 Investment Worth It for Vietnamese Investors?
EB-5 may be well worth it if you have, at the very least, a clear U.S. relocation goal, sufficient funds, strong documentation, and realistic expectations about risk and timing.
It may be especially valuable if you want a direct Green Card pathway for your family, need to include children before they age out, and prefer not to depend on employer sponsorship or temporary visa options.
However, the EB-5 is not right for everyone. For instance, it may not be suitable if you cannot clearly document your source of funds, cannot tolerate investment risk, need a very fast immigration result, or expect guaranteed repayment.
Before deciding, look at the full picture: your immigration goals, family timeline, source of funds, Project selection, financial risk, and long-term plans in the United States.
If you are unsure whether EB-5 is worth it for your family, speak with a U.S. immigration lawyer first.
FAQs About EB-5 Visa Vietnam
Here are a few additional questions Vietnamese investors may ask when considering EB-5 as a path to a U.S. Green Card through investment:
Do I Need to Manage the U.S. Business Myself?
No. Many EB-5 investors choose Regional Center Projects because they do not want to actively manage a U.S. business day to day. Direct EB-5 investments into a self-owned business may require more involvement, depending on the business structure.
Can I Include My Family in One EB-5 Case?
Yes. One EB-5 case may generally include the investor’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 as derivative beneficiaries.
Do I Need to Live in the Same State as the EB-5 Project?
You are not required to live in the same state as the EB-5 Project. Your family can choose where to live, study, or work in the United States.
What Happens After I Receive My Conditional?
After approval, EB-5 investors first receive conditional lawful permanent residence. Before that conditional period ends, the investor must file a Form I-829 Petition to remove conditions and show that the EB-5 requirements were met.
How long does the EB-5 visa process take for Vietnamese investors?
EB-5 processing for Vietnamese investors involves multiple stages: source of funds preparation and Petition filing (several weeks to months depending on complexity), USCIS adjudication of the I-526E (timelines vary), NVC processing, and a consular interview at the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. Total processing from filing to U.S. entry can span several years. Contact Enterline and Partners for a timeline assessment specific to your situation.
Can a Vietnamese investor use proceeds from selling real estate to make an investment for an EB-5 Petition?
Yes – proceeds from the sale of real estate in Vietnam are one of the most common EB-5 fund sources for Vietnamese investors. However, USCIS requires documentation of the full transaction chain – from how the property was originally purchased, through the sales contract, tax receipts, bank statements, and the international transfer of funds. Real estate-sourced funds are among the most documentation-intensive SOF situations and should be organized early with the help of an experienced attorney.
What is the difference between the EB-5 visa and the EB-3 Other Worker visa?
These are two entirely different visa categories. The EB-5 is an investor visa – you invest your own capital to obtain a Green Card, with no employer sponsorship required and the Vietnamese investor and family can obtain their Green Cards in about 18-24 months. The EB-3 Other Worker category requires a U.S. employer to sponsor you through a complex labor certification process (“PERM”), with a current waiting period of approximately five to six years due to high worldwide demand. EB-5 is a self-directed path requiring significant capital; EB-3 requires no capital investment but depends entirely on employer sponsorship.
Plan Your EB-5 Investment With a U.S. Immigration Attorney in Vietnam
If you are considering EB-5, it is important to understand the immigration requirements before you commit funds.
The investment amount is significant, and the strength of your case may depend on how clearly you can document your source of funds, how the money will be transferred, and whether the Project fits your immigration goals.
Enterline and Partners helps Vietnamese investors review EB-5 options with guidance from licensed U.S. immigration attorneys and local support in Ho Chi Minh City.
Managing Partner David Enterline has spent more than 15 years handling EB-5 cases and has worked with investors facing complex source of funds, business ownership and cross-border transfer issues.
Our team can help identify potential problems early, prepare the required financial documentation, explain what to expect before filing, and much more.
Schedule an EB-5 consultation to discuss whether this path makes sense for your family and what steps to take before moving forward.
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Copyright 2026. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline and Partners only.
