The US government requires EB-5 investments to comply with strict guidelines in order to promote job creation. The minimum qualifying investment threshold varies depending on the location of the business or project, which is to help stimulate job creation in targeted areas. If an EB-5 is in a Targeted Employment Area (“TEA”) the qualifying investment amount is currently $900,000. Outside of a TEA, investors must contribute $1.8MM to obtain a green card. 

One EB-5 investment allows the main applicant, their spouse, and any unmarried children under 21 to obtain green cards. The investor does not receive any immediate immigration benefits after applying, and they may have to wait more than a year before the I-526 application is approved. Only after I-526 approval will they be allowed to immigrate to the United States. Applying for EB-5 does not affect other ongoing forms of US legal status e.g. H1-B, F1, B1, etc. The first EB-5 immigration benefit comes in the form of a conditional green card that you receive approximately one to two years from the moment of application.