Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Answers to Your Immigration Questions
Gold Card 2025 & EB-5 Investor Questions
Investment requirements, family coverage, processing timelines, and source of funds documentation for investor Green Card pathways.
$800,000 USD for Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or rural projects; $1,050,000 USD for standard urban projects. These amounts were set by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 and adjust for inflation.
Gold Card requires:
- Individual: $1 million contribution
- Corporate: $2 million contribution
- No job creation requirement (EB-5 requires 10 jobs)
- Faster timeline: 12-18 months vs. EB-5’s 24-60 months
- Expedited DHS processing
- Non-refundable contribution vs. at-risk investment
If the project fails before you receive conditional Green Card, you may lose both investment and immigration benefit. If failure occurs after conditional approval but before job creation verification, your I-829 (removal of conditions) may be denied. This is why thorough due diligence is critical.
If the project fails before you receive conditional Green Card, you may lose both investment and immigration benefit. If failure occurs after conditional approval but before job creation verification, your I-829 (removal of conditions) may be denied. This is why thorough due diligence is critical.
You must document lawful origin of investment capital through:
- Tax returns (typically 5+ years)
- Bank statements showing fund accumulation
- Property/business sale records
- Employment income documentation
- Gift/inheritance with legal paper trail
- Corporate financial records (if using business funds)
All funds must trace to legal, documented sources.
- Direct EB-5: Invest in your own business, prove 10 direct jobs created
- Regional Center: Invest in USCIS-approved project, can count indirect/induced jobs through economic modeling
Regional center is more common (80%+ of cases) as job creation is easier to demonstrate.
Timeline varies by country:
- I-526 Petition: 18-36 months
- Adjustment of Status/Consular: 6-12 months additional
- Total: 24-48 months for most countries
- China/India: Additional priority date wait may apply
Gold Card accelerates to 12-18 months total.
EB-5 investment is “at-risk capital” and not guaranteed. If project succeeds, you may receive capital back after 5-7 years, but this depends on the investment structure. Gold Card contributions are non-refundable.
Key risks include:
- Project failure (loss of capital)
- Job creation shortfall (Green Card denial)
- Regional center termination
- Priority date retrogression
- Market/economic changes
- Fraud or mismanagement
Mitigation: Thorough due diligence, reputable regional centers, legal review, escrow protections.
E-2 is available to treaty country nationals including:
- Middle East: UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan (NOT Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or Qatar)
- Asia: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand
- Americas: Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Colombia
- Europe: UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, most EU
India is NOT a treaty country. Indians can qualify through Citizenship by Investment (Grenada, Turkey).
Validity depends on your country:
- Japan, Canada: Up to 5 years per entry
- UK, Australia: Up to 5 years
- Mexico: 1 year initially, renewable
- UAE: Typically 5 years
Renewable indefinitely as long as business operates successfully.
Yes! E-2 spouses receive E-2D status and can apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to work for ANY U.S. employer without restrictions. Children under 21 can study but cannot work.
Most legitimate commercial enterprises:
- ✅ Franchises (Subway, 7-Eleven, etc.)
- ✅ Restaurants, cafes, retail
- ✅ Consulting firms
- ✅ Tech startups
- ✅ Manufacturing
- ✅ Real estate services
- ❌ Passive investments (stocks, bonds)
- ❌ Non-profits
Business must be active, for-profit commercial enterprise.
Yes, as long as:
- Business continues operating successfully
- You maintain substantial investment
- Business is not marginal (generates more than living for you/family)
- You maintain treaty country nationality
No maximum renewals or time limit.
Since India isn’t a treaty country, Indians typically obtain citizenship from:
- Grenada: $235,000+ investment (citizenship in 4-6 months)
- Turkey: $400,000+ real estate (citizenship in 3-6 months)
Once citizenship obtained, apply for E-2 as Grenada/Turkey national.
E-2 INVESTOR VISA FAQ
Investment requirements, family coverage, processing timelines, and source of funds documentation for investor Green Card pathways.
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Questions
Investment requirements, family coverage, processing timelines, and source of funds documentation for investor Green Card pathways.
Top of field achievement demonstrated through sustained national/international acclaim. You must prove expertise in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through awards, recognition, publications, or other evidence.
You do NOT need a Nobel Prize—consistent high-level achievement suffices.
You must meet at least 3 of 10:
- National/international awards
- Membership in exclusive associations
- Published material about you
- Judging others’ work in your field
- Original contributions of major significance
- Authorship of scholarly articles
- Display of work at exhibitions
- Leading role in distinguished organizations
- High salary compared to field
- Commercial success in performing arts
Yes! EB-1A does not require employer sponsorship or job offer. You petition yourself based on your achievements, giving you complete career freedom.
- EB-1A: Higher standard (extraordinary ability), faster processing, First Preference
- EB-2 NIW: Lower bar (advanced degree + exceptional ability), Second Preference, may have longer waits
Both allow self-petition without employer.
- No. EB-1A requires no job offer, employer sponsorship, or labor certification. You qualify based solely on your achievements.
- I-140 with premium: 15 days
- I-140 standard: 6-12 months
- I-485 (if in U.S.): 8-15 months
- Total: 12-18 months typically
Yes, if you can demonstrate extraordinary business achievement through:
- Industry awards and recognition
- Published articles/interviews about you
- High compensation evidence
- Board memberships
- Patents or innovations
- Significant business impact
Options include:
- Appeal to Administrative Appeals Office (AAO)
- File motion to reconsider/reopen
- Refile with stronger evidence
- Pursue alternative visa (EB-2 NIW, etc.)
Work with experienced attorney to strengthen case.