Do You Need $1,000,000 for a U.S. Green Card?

Many people believe that obtaining a U.S. Green Card requires investing one million dollars. While this idea is partially based on real immigration law, the rules are more specific. The program most commonly associated with investment-based permanent residence is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

What Is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program?

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows foreign investors to obtain lawful permanent residence in the United States by investing in a U.S. business that creates jobs for American workers. Congress created this program in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment.

To qualify, the investment must generally create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers and be placed “at risk” in a legitimate commercial enterprise. Investors may establish their own business or invest through a USCIS-approved Regional Center that manages EB-5 projects. More than 90% of EB-5 investors use regional centers.

How Much Investment Is Required?

The minimum EB-5 investment depends on where the project is located. Current law requires one of the following investments:

$800,000 – If the investment is in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), such as a rural area or a region with high unemployment.
$1,050,000 – If the investment is in a standard location that does not qualify as a TEA.

These thresholds were established under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act and are subject to periodic adjustments based on inflation. The investment must remain at risk during the conditional residence period and cannot be guaranteed to be repaid.

Additional Costs Beyond the Investment

The required capital investment is only part of the overall cost. EB-5 applicants should also expect additional expenses, including:

Immigration attorney fees
Regional Center administrative fees
USCIS filing fees
Business plan and documentation costs
Medical exams and visa processing fees

These additional expenses can total tens of thousands of dollars depending on the complexity of the case and the investment project selected.

Conditional Green Card and Permanent Residence

If the EB-5 petition is approved, the investor and qualifying family members receive conditional permanent residence for two years. Before the end of that period, the investor must file a petition to remove the conditions by proving that the investment remained active and that the required jobs were created.

Once the conditions are removed, the investor receives a permanent Green Card. After meeting residency requirements, the investor may eventually apply for U.S. citizenship.

Important Considerations

Although the EB-5 program provides a path to permanent residence, simply having the required funds does not automatically guarantee approval. Applicants must prove that the investment funds were obtained legally, that the business is legitimate, and that the project will create the required number of jobs.

Because the EB-5 process involves complex financial documentation and strict immigration requirements, investors typically work with experienced immigration attorneys and financial advisors when preparing their petitions.

Conclusion

A U.S. Green Card cannot simply be purchased. However, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows qualified foreign investors to pursue permanent residence by investing in the U.S. economy. Depending on the location of the project, the required investment is currently $800,000 or $1,050,000, along with proof that the investment will create jobs for U.S. workers.