U.S. investment immigration programs offer opportunities for foreign investors and their families to obtain lawful residency in the United States through economic investment. Among these, programs such as EB-5, E-2, and EB-1C are the most popular options chosen by international investors.
The most well-known program is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, administered by USCIS. It requires a minimum investment of USD 800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) project or USD 1,050,000 in other areas, and the investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Another option is the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, available to citizens of countries that have a commerce treaty with the United States (including Vietnam since 2023). This visa requires a substantial investment in a U.S. business in which the investor owns at least 50% and actively manages the enterprise. Although the E-2 visa does not grant a Green Card immediately, it can be renewed indefinitely and may serve as a pathway to EB-5 permanent residency.
Additionally, the EB-1C visa for multinational executives and managers provides another route involving indirect investment through intra-company transfers. To participate, investors must prepare a thorough application, demonstrate the lawful source of funds, and comply with all U.S. immigration and investment regulations.
The United States is a federal constitutional republic consisting of 50 states and one federal district. The nation’s capital is Washington, D.C., located in the heart of North America. The U.S. is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Canada to the north, and Mexico to the south. The state of Alaska is situated in the northwestern part of the North American continent and borders Canada to the east, while the state of Hawaii is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
The U.S. also owns 14 territories, commonly referred to as overseas regions, scattered throughout the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean. New York City is the largest metropolis in the United States. With an area of up to 9.83 million square kilometers, the U.S. ranks third in the world by area, only behind Russia and China.
With its vast area and diverse terrain, the United States possesses a wide range of climates. A temperate climate prevails in many regions, a tropical climate is found in Hawaii and southern Florida, a polar climate exists in Alaska, and a Mediterranean climate appears along the California coast.
To obtain a green card through the EB-5 investment program, investors need to prepare a total cost of approximately 23 billion VND, which includes four main components:
In practice, the $800,000 investment will be refunded after completing the process for obtaining a permanent green card. Therefore, the actual total cost that the investor will need to cover over the 5-year process to obtain a U.S. green card through the EB-5 program is approximately 4 billion VND.
The investor, along with their spouse and children under 21 years old, will receive a U.S. green card. The family can live, work, and study in any state in the U.S. They will enjoy full medical, educational, and social security benefits, similar to U.S. citizens, except for the right to vote.
The investor's children can attend public schools for free from elementary through high school and attend university at much lower costs compared to international students. Job opportunities are also not restricted as they are for foreign nationals. After at least 5 years from receiving the green card, the family can apply for U.S. citizenship.
Limitations: This is not a fast visa program, and applicants need to wait their turn for the application to be reviewed and the visa to be issued. It is not suitable for families who wish to move to the U.S. immediately. The waiting time can be lengthy, depending on the number of applications and the processing procedures of the immigration authorities.
Investment amount
800.000USD (~19,2 tỷ đồng)
Processing time for applications
3-4 years
Investment form/requirements
Invest in a project that meets U.S. government requirements for a minimum of 5 years
Mục đích chương trình
Obtain a U.S. green card
The investor, along with their spouse and children under 21 years old, can move to the U.S. and freely work, conduct business, and study under the E-2 visa. They have the right to own and operate a business in the U.S. to generate profit without worrying about paying worldwide income tax according to U.S. law. The investor's children can attend public schools for free from elementary through high school.
Limitations: This visa is only available to citizens of countries that have a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with the U.S. First, the investor must invest and obtain citizenship in a country with such a treaty, such as Grenada, Turkey, Montenegro, and reside there for at least 3 consecutive years. This visa is valid for 2-5 years, with renewals dependent on the status of the business operations in the U.S.
Minimum Investment:
Depending on the type of business, the minimum investment is $100,000 – $150,000 USD
Processing Time for Applications
6 months
Investment Form/Requirements
Invest in a new or existing business in the U.S
Program Objectives
Obtain a visa for residing in the U.S. to conduct business investments, provide educational opportunities for children in the U.S., avoid global income tax under U.S. law, and not seek long-term residency
Processing is expedited, taking at least 15 days. The entire family has the freedom to live, study, and work in the U.S. for the duration of the visa. Children under 21 can attend public schools for free up to the end of high school, similar to U.S. citizens.
After at least one year of business operations in the U.S., if the business shows success and has a sustainable growth plan, the investor may apply for an EB-1C visa. With an EB-1C visa and meeting the requirements, the family can apply for U.S. citizenship.
Limitations: After the first year, the U.S. subsidiary must demonstrate effective business performance for the senior management to continue residing in the U.S. The L-1A visa allows for residency from 1 to 3 years, with extensions depending on the company's performance in the U.S. The total duration the investor can stay in the U.S. with an L-1A visa is up to 7 years.
Investment Amount
Depends on the type of business
Processing Time for Applications
3 months (as fast as 15 days)
Investment Form/Requirements
Establish a subsidiary in the U.S. and transfer senior management personnel from the parent company in Vietnam to manage business operations in the U.S
Program Objectives
Obtain a visa to operate and work in a U.S. company, and provide educational benefits for children in the U.S
The investor, along with their spouse and children under 21 years old, will receive a U.S. green card, allowing the entire family to live, work, and study in any state in the country. They will enjoy healthcare, education, and social security benefits similar to U.S. citizens (except for voting rights).
Children can attend public schools for free up to the end of high school and attend university at a cost that is only one-third of that for international students. Job opportunities are not restricted as they are for foreign nationals. After at least 5 years from receiving the green card, if the conditions are met, the investor and their family can apply for U.S. citizenship.
Limitations: This visa is only available to investors who already have a business in the U.S. The investor needs to demonstrate their role and necessity for the business.
Investment Amount
Depends on the type of business
Processing Time for Applications
From 6 months
Investment Form/Requirements
The company in the U.S. must have been operational for at least 1 year, be performing effectively, and have a viable business plan for development
Program Objectives
Obtain a U.S. green card
When an applicant is granted an H-1B visa to work in the U.S., the visa will be valid for the duration specified. The spouse and children under 21 can move to the U.S. to live and study for the duration of the visa.
During the H-1B visa period, if the applicant finds a new job and receives sponsorship from the employer, they can apply for a U.S. green card under the EB-3 category before the H-1B visa expires. After obtaining the EB-3 visa and meeting the requirements, the applicant can proceed to apply for U.S. citizenship.
Limitations: The H-1B visa is valid for 3 years and can be extended for an additional 3 years, depending on the job in the U.S. It is only applicable to certain high-demand occupations and is highly competitive. Dependents accompanying the H-1B visa holder are not permitted to work in the U.S. but are allowed to study.
Processing Time for Applications
3 - 6 months
Investment Form/Requirements
Skilled workers are sponsored by U.S. companies to work in positions that meet the program's criteria
Program Objectives
For foreign workers with a Bachelor's degree or higher in specialized fields such as scientific research, information technology, engineering, etc., to be sponsored by a U.S. company to work in the U.S.
When an applicant obtains a green card for U.S. residency, the spouse and children under 21 will also be granted green cards. The entire family will have the freedom to live, work, and study in any state in the U.S. They will enjoy full benefits related to healthcare, education, and social security similar to U.S. citizens (excluding voting rights).
Children can attend public schools for free up to the end of high school and will have job opportunities without restrictions like foreign nationals. After at least 5 years of holding the green card, if the requirements are met, the applicant and their family can apply for U.S. citizenship.
Limitations: This program is highly competitive because workers can only be sponsored if the employer cannot find suitable U.S. workers. It is a work-based immigration program that the U.S. government aims to restrict due to past abuse, where some workers have used this visa to enter the U.S. and obtain a green card without genuinely participating in the workforce.
Processing Time for Applications
18 - 24 months
Investment Form/Requirements
Employment where U.S. workers cannot be found, requiring foreign workers to fill the positions
Program Objectives
For skilled workers and laborers with or without specific skills. These workers need to be sponsored by a U.S. company to obtain a green card, with the goal of working and residing in the U.S. This applies to areas where the local labor force is insufficient to meet business needs
The sponsored individual will receive a green card for U.S. residency, allowing them to freely live, work, and study in any state in the U.S. They will enjoy full benefits related to healthcare, education, and social security similar to U.S. citizens (excluding voting rights).
Job opportunities will not be restricted like those for foreign nationals. After at least 5 years of holding the green card, if the requirements are met, the individual can apply for U.S. citizenship.
Eligible Individuals
Those with relatives who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Processing Time for Applications
- 6-12 months for spouses, unmarried children under 21, and dependent parents
- 7-12 years for children over 21, married children under 21, and siblings
Investment Form/Requirements
- U.S. citizens can sponsor: Spouse; Children (regardless of age, including both single and married); Parents; Siblings.
- U.S. green card holders (permanent residents) can sponsor: Spouse; Unmarried children under 21; Unmarried children over 21.
Program Objectives
To obtain a U.S. green card
Depending on the type of visa that students choose and are granted upon graduation, there may be various options to stay in the U.S.
Limitations: There is no direct residency program for graduates in the U.S. The only visa that does not require additional investment is the H-1B visa, which is highly competitive and subject to many restrictions from the U.S. government to protect job opportunities for native workers. The H-1B visa is not a permanent residency visa; students must continue to demonstrate their qualifications and seek to transition to other long-term residency options if they wish to stay in the U.S. permanently.
Eligible Individuals
International students who have graduated from U.S. universities and wish to stay in the U.S. after completing their studies
Processing Time for Applications
Varies depending on the program chosen by the student (from a few months to several years)
Investment Form/Requirements
Students can apply for H-1B or L-1A visas; or apply for a green card through programs such as EB-3 or EB-5.
Program Objectives
To obtain a visa to stay in the U.S. for work or to secure a green card for permanent residency
Yes. However, the investment capital can only be returned after the investor has met the required investment period (typically 5–7 years) and once the project has fulfilled its job creation obligations. The repayment of capital depends on the developer’s commitment, which is why choosing a reputable project is crucial.
Yes. In addition to EB-5, some investors may consider the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, available to citizens of countries that have trade treaties with the United States. However, since Vietnam is not currently on this list, Vietnamese citizens often opt for the EB-5 program or acquire a second citizenship (for example, from Grenada or Turkey) to later apply for an E-2 visa.
Common causes include: unverified or illegal sources of investment funds, failure to prove the lawful path of money transfers, projects that do not meet the job creation requirements, or investors withdrawing their funds prematurely. Therefore, it is essential to provide transparent financial documentation and work with an experienced EB-5 immigration attorney to ensure that the application complies with USCIS standards.
Second Citizenship is one of the pioneering organizations connecting U.S. investment immigration programs with investors in Vietnam. With years of experience, we have successfully helped many Vietnamese families obtain permanent residency (Green Cards) in the United States.
We take pride in our highly qualified team of professionals. All consultants and case managers at Second Citizenship are professionally trained and certified by the Investment Migration Council (IMC), ensuring the highest standards of service quality and compliance.
Second Citizenship has achieved significant milestones and built strong relationships with governments, immigration firms, and reputable law offices around the world. These achievements and certifications are listed in detail on our official “Achievements and Certifications” page.
According to Second Citizenship’s assessment, the requirements of the EB-5 Investment Immigration Program are not overly complex. However, to successfully pass the stringent review process, all conditions must be met precisely and thoroughly. Contact Second Citizenship today to receive detailed and free consultation from our expert team.
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