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EB-5 Visa

Welcome to Bridgewood & Co.’s dedicated EB-5 Investor Visa page. Here, you will find clear and practical information about the EB-5 visa USA program, including eligibility requirements, investment thresholds, processing timelines, and the overall EB-5 application process.

As experienced EB-5 investor visa attorneys, we take a client-focused approach to every case. We begin by understanding your short-term and long-term immigration and business goals, then advise you on the most appropriate EB-5 strategy based on your objectives, risk tolerance, and timeline.

Bridgewood & Co. provides comprehensive legal support throughout the entire EB-5 visa process—from initial eligibility analysis and investment structuring to petition preparation, filing, and follow-up with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Our goal is to guide you through the EB-5 process efficiently, transparently, and in full compliance with U.S. immigration regulations.

What is an EB-5 investor visa?

Overview of the EB-5 Investor Visa Program

The EB-5 Investor Visa Program is one of the most direct and reliable pathways for investors with significant financial resources to obtain U.S. permanent residence (a green card) through investment. It is specifically designed for foreign nationals who wish to live and work permanently in the United States while making a qualifying investment that contributes to the U.S. economy.

Under the EB-5 Visa USA program, investors may choose between two distinct investment models:

  • EB-5 Regional Center Investment, or

  • EB-5 Direct Investment

Each option carries different operational responsibilities, job creation requirements, and levels of investor involvement. Additional details regarding these two EB-5 investment pathways are outlined in the requirements section below.

Key Advantages of the EB-5 Investor Visa

The primary advantage of the EB-5 visa is its direct path to lawful permanent residence. Upon approval, successful EB-5 investors are granted green cards that allow them to live, work, and study anywhere in the United States without restrictions.

Additional benefits include:

  • Permanent residence for the investor

  • Eligibility for U.S. citizenship after meeting residency requirements

  • Green cards for the investor’s spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21

  • Freedom to live and work anywhere in the United States, independent of the investment location

At Bridgewood & Co., we guide investors and their families through the EB-5 process with a strategic focus on both immigration success and long-term planning.

To qualify for an EB-5 investor green card, applicants must satisfy all statutory and regulatory requirements of the EB-5 Visa USA program. These requirements focus on the amount and nature of the investment, job creation, lawful source of funds, and the type of business enterprise receiving the investment. Below is a detailed overview of the core EB-5 visa requirements.
One of the primary EB-5 visa requirements is making a qualifying capital investment in a U.S. business. The investment may consist of: Cash Cash equivalents Inventory Equipment or other tangible property As of November 21, 2019, the minimum EB-5 investment thresholds are: $900,000 for projects located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) $1,800,000 for projects located outside a TEA These investment amounts apply equally to both EB-5 Regional Center and EB-5 Direct Investment projects. Many investors recall the former $500,000 minimum investment. While that was previously correct, regulatory changes implemented in November 2019 increased the required investment amounts to the current levels. “At-Risk” Capital Requirement EB-5 regulations require that the invested funds be at risk for the purpose of generating a return. Guaranteed returns or risk-free arrangements do not meet EB-5 standards.
Another fundamental EB-5 visa requirement is job creation. Each EB-5 investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers. Key job creation rules include: Jobs must be created before filing the I-526 petition or The investor must demonstrate how the required jobs will be created during the two-year conditional residence period Jobs must be maintained throughout the conditional residence period until the investor files the I-829 petition to remove conditions
At least 35 hours per week Filled by a qualified U.S. worker, such as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident The following individuals do not qualify as EB-5 job beneficiaries: The EB-5 investor The investor’s spouse or children Foreign nationals in nonimmigrant status
Direct Jobs Actual, identifiable positions within the EB-5 business Count toward EB-5 job creation requirements under both Regional Center and Direct Investment options Indirect and Induced Jobs May only be counted under the Regional Center EB-5 program Include jobs created through supply chains (indirect) or community economic impact (induced) Must be supported by accepted economic modeling
EB-5 investors must prove that all invested capital comes from a lawful source. This is one of the most closely scrutinized aspects of the EB-5 application. Applicants must: Document how the funds were earned, accumulated, and transferred Trace the funds from their origin to their investment in the EB-5 project Provide evidence such as tax returns, business income records, property sale agreements, inheritance documentation, or loan agreements At Bridgewood & Co., we work closely with investors to prepare comprehensive source-of-funds documentation that meets USCIS standards and minimizes processing delays.
The EB-5 investment must be made in a New Commercial Enterprise (NCE) as defined by U.S. immigration regulations. A New Commercial Enterprise is: A for-profit business entity Established after November 29, 1990, or restructured in compliance with EB-5 rules Formed for the purpose of conducting ongoing lawful business activity Qualifying entities may include: Corporations Limited liability companies Partnerships Joint ventures Sole proprietorships Business trusts or holding companies
At Bridgewood & Co., we provide strategic EB-5 representation, including: Investment eligibility analysis Regional Center and Direct EB-5 structuring Lawful source-of-funds documentation Job creation compliance review Petition preparation and filing Long-term green card planning Our approach focuses on compliance, risk management, and long-term success for investors and their families.

EB-5 Visa Program Options: Regional Center or Direct Investment

EB-5 Investment Options: Regional Center vs. Direct Investment

Under the EB-5 Visa USA program, investors may choose between two distinct investment pathways to qualify for permanent residence: the Regional Center option or the Direct Investment option. Each option satisfies EB-5 requirements in a different way and is suited to different investor goals and risk profiles.

At Bridgewood & Co., we help investors evaluate both options and select the EB-5 strategy that best aligns with their immigration objectives, investment preferences, and level of involvement.

EB-5 Investment Option 1: Regional Center

The EB-5 Regional Center option allows investors to place their capital into a project sponsored by a USCIS-designated Regional Center. Regional Centers are public or private entities authorized to develop EB-5-compliant investment projects that promote economic growth, job creation, and increased domestic capital within specific geographic areas.

Key Features of the Regional Center Option

  • Investors are not required to actively manage the business

  • Job creation requirements may be met using direct, indirect, and induced jobs

  • Projects are supported by economic models designed to meet EB-5 criteria

  • Investors must still meet the minimum investment amount and prove a lawful source of funds

Because Regional Centers can count indirect and induced jobs, this option often makes it easier to satisfy the job creation requirement compared to direct investment.

Who Should Choose the EB-5 Regional Center Option?

The Regional Center option is ideal for EB-5 investors who:

  • Primarily seek U.S. permanent residence

  • Prefer a passive investment structure

  • Do not wish to manage or operate a U.S. business directly

  • Want a more streamlined approach to meeting EB-5 job creation requirements

EB-5 Investment Option 2: Direct Investment

Under the Direct Investment option, the investor establishes or invests in their own U.S. business as the EB-5 qualifying enterprise. The business must be structured in compliance with EB-5 regulations, and the investor must contribute the required minimum capital investment.

Key Features of the Direct Investment Option

  • The investor must actively manage or be involved in the business

  • The business must create at least 10 full-time direct jobs for qualified U.S. workers

  • Only direct jobs count—indirect and induced jobs do not qualify

  • The investor may choose nearly any lawful business, provided all EB-5 requirements are met

Common direct EB-5 investment businesses include restaurants, cafés, hotels, franchises, manufacturing companies, and other operating enterprises.

Who Should Choose the EB-5 Direct Investment Option?

The Direct Investment option is best suited for EB-5 investors who:

  • Want to start, operate, and manage a U.S. business

  • Prefer hands-on involvement in their investment

  • Have entrepreneurial or business management experience

  • Intend to use their business as both a commercial venture and an immigration vehicle

Key Differences Between Regional Center and Direct Investment

FeatureRegional CenterDirect Investment
Investor involvementPassiveActive / hands-on
Job types allowedDirect, indirect, inducedDirect jobs only
Job creation difficultyLowerHigher
Business managementNot requiredRequired
Control over enterpriseLimitedHigh

How Bridgewood & Co. Can Help

At Bridgewood & Co., we assist EB-5 investors by:

  • Comparing Regional Center and Direct Investment options

  • Reviewing project compliance and risk factors

  • Structuring direct EB-5 businesses

  • Ensuring job creation and source-of-funds compliance

  • Guiding investors from initial filing through permanent residence

Our approach ensures that your investment strategy and immigration goals are fully aligned, minimizing risk and maximizing long-term success.

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