For individuals looking to build a future in the United States, investment immigration is a viable option for some.
Through a U.S. investment visa, foreign nationals can pursue lawful permanent residence (“Green Card”) by investing capital into U.S. businesses that creates jobs and contributes to the growth of the American economy.
It is an attractive option for entrepreneurs, business owners, and individuals with the resources to contribute capital, while also opening the door for their spouse and unmarried children under 21 to join them in the United States.
At Enterline and Partners, we understand that investment immigration is an important financial and personal decision. That is why our team works closely with clients to assess eligibility, prepare strong applications, and handle the often complex requirements of U.S. investor immigration law.
With decades of experience behind us, we help investors and their families take confident steps toward permanent residency and new opportunities in the United States.
If you are exploring this route, it’s important to first understand how the immigrant investor visa works, what is required, and the benefits that can be provided.
What is a U.S. Investment Visa?
An investment visa is a pathway to Green Card that’s based on investing money to the U.S. economy. Instead of being sponsored by a family member or employer, the applicant invests capital into a qualifying business that creates U.S. jobs.
This makes it very different from a work visa. A work visa, such as an H-1B or L-1 visa, usually depends on an employer offering a job and sponsoring the application.
With an investment visa, the applicant is the driver of the process. Essentially, they use their own financial resources rather than employment sponsorship to qualify.
To qualify, three elements are essential:
- Capital: The applicant must invest a minimum amount of money (currently US$800,000 to US$1,050,000, depending on the business location).
- Project: The investment must go into a U.S. business or development project approved under immigration rules.
- Benefits: The investment must generate at least ten (10) full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
Within the U.S. immigration system, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is the investment visa. It provides the investor, their spouse, and unmarried children under 21 with a direct route to a Green Card.
Understanding Common Types of U.S. Investment Visas
If you’re considering investment as your pathway to the United States, there are several visa options worth exploring. Each one works a little differently, depending on whether your goal is permanent residency or short-term business activity.
- EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa: The most recognized option for obtaining a Green Card. Meeting the required investment and job-creation standards allows you and your immediate family to secure permanent residency.
- E-2 Treaty Investor Visa: A good choice if you’re from a treaty country and want to establish or manage a U.S. business without committing to permanent residency right away. The visa can be renewed as long as your enterprise remains active.
- L-1A and EB-1C Visas: Suited for executives or managers of multinational companies. The L-1A makes it possible to transfer into a U.S. office, while the EB-1C can open the door to permanent residency.
Looking at these options side by side helps clarify which path best aligns with your resources, business plans, and long-term goals in the United States. If you are unsure which kind of U.S. investment visa best fits your needs, our attorneys can help you decide. Reach out today.
The EB-5 Immigrant Visa Program
The EB-5 program gives foreign investors a way to secure U.S. permanent residency through a qualifying financial commitment that benefits the American economy. Let’s take a deeper look into it:
Investment and Job Requirements
To qualify, you must invest a minimum amount of capital in a U.S. business. Projects located in Targeted Employment Areas (“TEA”), such as rural regions or areas with higher unemployment, require at least US$800,000.
Investments outside these areas generally require an investment of at least $1,050,000 million.
In addition, the business or project must create 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers, which is the central requirement of the program.
Step-by-Step Process
The EB-5 application process unfolds in three stages:
- I-526/I-526E Petition: You submit documentation showing your investment, where the money came from, and details about the business or project.
- Consular interview and conditional Green Card: Once approved, you attend an interview at a U.S. Consulate (or apply to adjust status if already in the United States.) If successful, you and your family receive a two-year conditional permanent residence and a Green Card valid for two years.
- I-829 Petition: At the end of two years of conditional resident status, you file this I-829 Petition to prove that you maintained your investment and that the jobs were created. Upon approval, you will be an unconditional lawful permanent resident and received a Green Card valid for ten years.
Timelines and Costs
Processing can take several years, often between two and five, depending on your country of origin and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) caseload.
Besides the investment itself, expect to budget for government filing fees, legal representation, and potential regional center administration fees.
Advantages and Challenges
The EB-5 program appeals to many because it allows you, your spouse, and children under 21 to gain U.S. residency without relying on a family sponsor or employer. It also provides flexibility to live, work, or study anywhere in the United States.
On the other hand, the high financial threshold, long waiting periods, and risks tied to the success of the investment project are important factors to weigh carefully. Detailed documentation on the source of funds that you use to make the investment is also required, which adds another layer of complexity.
If you’re considering the EB-5 program, now is the time to reach out and discuss how this pathway could work for you and your family. Contact our lawyers today.
Applying for a U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investment Visa
Applying for an EB-5 visa takes time, but breaking it down into steps makes the process easier to follow.
1. Choose a Project
Decide where you want to invest. You can make a direct investment, where you invest directly into your own business, or may invest into a business that is sponsored by a USCIS approved Regional Center, which manages your investment and may also manage the underlying project for you, although this is not always the case.
2. Gather Your Financial Records
You’ll need to prove that the capital you use for your investment was obtained by lawful means; comes from a legal source. This usually means collecting documents like:
- Tax returns
- Bank records
- Business income documents
- Property sale contracts
Clear and complete paperwork is very important here.
3. File Form I-526/I-526E Petition
This is the main application that tells USCIS about your investment and where the money came from. After filing, your case goes into review, which can take some time and can vary widely.
4. Attend a Visa Interview
If your Petition is approved, you will have an interview at a U.S. Consulate (or apply for adjustment if you are already in the U.S.). Once approved, you’ll receive an EB-5 visa (from the U.S. Consulate ) or be granted conditional permanent residence (if you are in the U.S.).
5. Enter the U.S. and obtain a Green Card
When you arrive in the U.S. with your EB-5 visa, you and your family will be granted a two-year conditional residency and receive a Green Card valid for two years.
Just before the end of the two-year conditional residency period, you file Form I-829 to show you maintained your investment and the jobs were created. Once approved, the conditions are removed, and you will be a full unconditional lawful permanent resident and receive a Green Card valid for ten years
Potential Risks and Challenges You Need to Know
We must warn that the EB-5 program, while offering valuable opportunities, also carries real risks that every investor should carefully consider:
- Financial risk: The required minimum investment is significant. There can be no guaranty that you may receive back your investment capital; there is no guarantee of return.
- Lengthy processing times: Applications can take several years to move through USCIS, the National Visa Center (“NVC”), and U.S. Consular processing stages.
- Job-creation requirement: If the project does not generate at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs, the investor may not qualify for permanent residency.
- Source of funds issues: USCIS demands detailed proof that the investment capital comes from legal, well-documented sources. Gaps or weak records can cause delays or denials.
Being aware of these risks at the outset allows you to prepare more effectively and improve the likelihood of a successful application. Enterline and Partners can guide you through each step, so you can avoid pitfalls and strengthen your case as much as possible.
Why Choose Enterline And Partners?
Selecting the right team to handle your U.S. immigration journey is one of the most important decisions you will make. At Enterline and Partners, we combine decades of experience with a client-focused approach that makes the complex EB-5 process far more manageable.
Our firm is led by David A. Enterline and Ryan Barshop, both licensed U.S. immigration attorneys with extensive experience guiding investors and families through the U.S. immigration system.
David has spent much of his career advising on EB-5 matters and is widely recognized in the field, while Ryan has deep knowledge of consular processing and family-based immigration cases, giving our clients the benefit of a well-rounded team. Together, they bring more than 40 years of combined practice to every case.
Beyond legal skill, what sets us apart is how we work with you. We maintain a transparent consulting process. We make sure you understand each step of the journey, from investment selection to the final approval of your Green Card.
Our support doesn’t end with the paperwork, either. We are committed to guiding you through the entire investment and immigration process. Moreover, we will offer reassurance and practical solutions when challenges arise.
For clients in Vietnam, the Philippines, and beyond, Enterline and Partners is a trusted partner dedicated to helping you and your family reach your U.S. immigration goals with clarity and confidence.
Answering Common Questions About U.S. Investor Visas
Investment immigration can feel complex, and it’s normal to have questions about the process, requirements, and outcomes. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive from clients exploring EB-5, E-2, and other U.S. visa options.
What is an investment visa?
An investment visa allows foreign nationals to obtain U.S. residency by making a qualifying financial investment in the American economy. Rather than relying on a family sponsor or employer, the applicant invests capital in a U.S. project that creates jobs. The EB-5 and E-2 are the two most common examples.
How long does the EB-5 U.S. investment visa take, and how much does it cost?
Timelines vary depending on USCIS processing and the applicant’s country of origin. On average, it can take two to five years to receive a conditional resident status. The minimum investment is US$800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (“TEA”) or US$1,050,000 outside a TEA, plus legal and government filing fees.
What are the capital, project, and financial requirements for EB-5?
Applicants must invest the required amount of capital into a qualifying U.S. business or project. That project must create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. Investors also need to prove that their funds come from a lawful and well-documented source, such as earnings, property sales, or business income.
Can the E-2 visa lead to a Green Card?
Not directly. The E-2 visa is temporary and allows treaty country nationals to invest in and manage a U.S. business. However, it can be renewed indefinitely, and some investors might later transition to another immigrant visa category, such as EB-5 or EB-1C, if they become eligible.
Does your firm guarantee success?
No immigration attorney or consultant can guarantee the outcome of a visa case. What we can guarantee is that at Enterline and Partners, your case will be handled by licensed U.S. immigration attorneys with decades of experience. We provide transparent advice, careful preparation, and dedicated support to maximize your chances of success.
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Copyright 2025. 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.
