Can I acquire a power plant for EB-5?

Yes, in principle. A power plant can serve as a qualifying investment for the EB-5 program, as long as the project meets the immigrant investor program’s requirements. The industry itself is not a barrier; what matters is the structure of the investment.

To qualify, the business generally must:

• Be structured as a new commercial enterprise or a reorganization that generates real economic activity.
• Meet the job creation requirements for U.S. workers established by the program.
• Use lawfully sourced funds, with a clear documentary trail and transparent ownership.

A power plant adds extra layers of complexity: financial viability, environmental permitting, and energy sector regulations all factor in, on top of the immigration requirements. Job targets, investment amounts, and timelines follow official regulations, which change over time.

Because this is a demanding investment on both fronts, financial and immigration-related, verify the current requirements with USCIS and bring together immigration and investment specialists before closing the deal.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.