EB-5 is known for the name of the Employment-Based Fifth preference visa that participants receive.
Congress created the EB-5 Program in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. In 1992, Congress created the Immigrant Investor Program, also known as the Regional Center Program. This sets aside EB-5 visas for participants who invest in commercial enterprises associated with regional centers approved by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers the EB-5 Program. Under this program, entrepreneurs (and their spouses and unmarried children under 21) are eligible to apply for a green card (permanent residence) if they:
Be at least 21 years of age
Show legal source of assets and funds
No language skills required
No minimum education required
No business or managerial experience required
Investment capital can come from a gift, inheritance, business ownership or any other lawful activity
No obligation to live in the area of investment
