Can I bring relatives to visit while waiting for the EB-5?

Yes. While your EB-5 petition is pending, relatives who are not included in your petition as dependents can visit the United States on a tourist visa. Having an immigrant petition in progress does not, by itself, change the rules that apply to visitors traveling for tourism purposes.

The sensitive point is temporary intent: the visitor must demonstrate that they intend to return home at the end of their stay. Having a family member with a pending green card application may prompt additional questions at the consulate, so the visitor should come prepared to show ties to their home country, such as:

• Employment, business, or studies in the home country.
• Property and family responsibilities.
• A concrete reason and defined dates for the trip.

It is worth noting that a spouse and unmarried children who qualify as dependents are typically included in the EB-5 petition itself, following the relationship and age criteria set by official rules. For other relatives, a visitor visa is usually the appropriate path.

Since each case is evaluated individually, check the updated requirements with USCIS and, if in doubt, seek guidance from a specialist before planning the trip.

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.