About EB-5 Immigrant Visa Program

The EB-5 program, approved by the U.S. Congress in 1990, is an investment-based immigration opportunity for international investors who wish to obtain green cards for their entire family. To participate, investors must invest a minimum of $800,000 (approximately 19 billion VND) into targeted investment areas and create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. citizens. As a result, the investor's spouse and unmarried children under 21 will be granted green cards and enjoy permanent residency benefits in the U.S.

The program offers two investment options: direct investment and investment through a regional center. Among these, investment through a regional center is generally preferred due to its notable advantages and the ease of meeting the program's requirements. While there are various other immigration investment options available, the EB-5 regional center route is currently the most mainstream, direct, and secure option to ensure a successful immigration plan to the U.S. and enhance the likelihood of investment capital recovery for the family.

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Time to Residency

5 years

Minimum Investment

800.000 USD

Type of Investment

Investment in designated investment areas

Visa-free Countries

187 countries worldwide.

Benefits of the EB-5 Visa

  • Receive a green card, which provides practical benefits equivalent to those of U.S. citizens.
  • Family members can live, study, and work anywhere in the United States
  • Children will receive free education at public schools from elementary through high school and will have the opportunity to attend college at a lower cost compared to international students. They also have access to schools and specialized programs reserved for permanent residents and U.S. citizens.
  • When eligible, the family has the opportunity to become U.S. citizens.
  • Once U.S. citizenship is obtained, they can freely travel to 187 countries worldwide without a visa or only require an electronic visa, and have unrestricted entry and exit from the United States.

Advantages of Holding an EB-5 U.S. Visa

  • After 5 years, you can apply for U.S. citizenship, becoming an official citizen and enjoying full constitutional protections.
  • The program does not require educational qualifications, language skills, or business experience.
  • There is no need to own a company, have management experience, or operate a business.
  • There are no requirements to start a business after obtaining the green card, nor is there a need for sponsorship from a company or family.
  • You only need to invest in a project that meets the program's conditions, without needing to fulfill any additional requirements.
 
 
 

Conditions for the EB-5 Immigrant Visa

  • The program is open to everyone aged 18 and above, with no upper age limit for applicants.
  • An investment of $800,000 is required in a project located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
  • Proof must be provided that the investment funds come from a lawful source.
  • It must be demonstrated that the investment will create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. citizens.

Process for Obtaining the EB-5 Immigrant Visa

Phase I-526:

  • Preparation and submission of the I-526 petition takes approximately 2 months
  • Approval of the petition can take from 31 to 35 months, depending on changes in Immigration Service processing times.
  • The interview and receipt of the immigrant visa typically takes between 6 to 12 months, depending on the visa quota situation at that time.
  • After arriving in the U.S., a conditional green card is issued within 2 years, valid during the immigrant visa period.

Phase I-829:

After 21 months of holding a conditional green card, the following conditions must be met:

  • The investment has been maintained for 2 years.
  • The project has created the required number of jobs.
  • Residency time in the U.S. has been fulfilled.
  • File the I-829 petition to remove conditions 3 months before the first green card expires.
  • Approval of the I-829 petition and receipt of the permanent green card typically takes from 36 to 48 months.

Documents for Applying for the EB-5 U.S. Visa

Investment Documents:

  • Copies of payroll records, employment contracts, and other documents related to creating at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. citizens/permanent residents.
  • Copies of business licenses, lease agreements, and other documents related to the investment project

Source of Funds and Transfer Documents:

  • Copies of asset documentation, savings account statements, and other documents related to the origin of the investment funds.
  • Copies of wire transfer documents, receipts, and other documents related to the transfer of investment funds.

Personal Documents:

  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of birth certificate
  • Copy of marriage or divorce certificate (if applicable)
  • Copy of diplomas or certificates (if applicable)
  • Certificate of citizenship (if applicable)
  • Copy of temporary green card (if applicable)
  • Copy of current visa (if applicable)
  • Passport-sized photos according to U.S. standards

Civil Status Documents After I-526E Petition Approval:

  • High-quality color scans of all documents
  • Original copy of Criminal Record Certificate No. 2 for the applicant and dependents over 16 years old
  • Health examination results and vaccination certificates
  • Interview appointment letter from the National Visa Center (NVC)

Second Citizenship: Professional consulting for U.S. EB-5 investment immigration

Second Citizenship is one of Vietnam’s leading consulting firms specializing in the U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, a direct pathway to obtaining a permanent Green Card without requiring academic qualifications, language proficiency, or business management experience..

With many years of experience in global investment immigration consulting, we take pride in our high-caliber legal advisory team, who maintain strong connections with U.S. immigration program authorities. Our experts assist clients through every step, from legal procedures and project due diligence to investment structuring, ensuring both capital recovery and long-term efficiency.

At Second Citizenship, our professionals accompany clients through every stage of the EB-5 process: from eligibility assessment and project selection to final application approval, maximizing the success rate. Contact us today for a free consultation and a tailored investment immigration plan that aligns with your goals..

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Frequently asked questions about EB-5 investment documentation

How must EB-5 investors prove the lawful source of their investment funds?

USCIS requires investors to clearly demonstrate the lawful origin of their entire EB-5 investment — including both principal capital and any reinvested profits. Supporting documents typically include sales contracts, bank statements, property transfer records, tax returns, and legal gift or inheritance documents. 

It’s not enough to simply “show that you have money”, investors must trace the entire path of funds, from the original source to the final EB-5 investment, through transparent and verifiable financial records..

Does the reauthorization of the EB-5 Regional Center Program affect investor applications?

It can, depending on the timing of your application. When the U.S. Congress temporarily suspends or amends policies related to the Regional Center Program, pending cases filed during that period may experience processing delays until the program is officially reinstated.

However, since the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 was enacted, the program has been reauthorized and stabilized through 2027, significantly reducing disruption risks and providing long-term assurance for investors.

What legal risks should EB-5 investors consider before transferring funds?

Before wiring investment capital, investors should carefully verify three key legal factors:

  • The legal standing of the project and regional center, ensuring they are approved and active under USCIS regulations
  • The terms of the Subscription Agreement, clearly outlining the investment period, refund conditions, and investor priority rights. 
  • Capital protection mechanisms, detailing how funds are safeguarded in the event the project fails to meet job creation requirements or encounters financial difficulties.

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