Can I buy real estate to resell and count it as job creation?

The EB-5 program was created to attract foreign investors who contribute to the U.S. economy by generating jobs for local workers. For this reason, not every application of capital automatically meets the program’s requirements.

In the case of purchasing real estate to resell, this type of operation, on its own, generally does not satisfy the job creation requirement. A simple buy-and-sell of properties is not typically treated as a commercial enterprise that generates direct or indirect jobs, unlike opening a company, launching a new business, or expanding existing operations.

For a real estate investment to qualify, it is generally necessary to have a genuine business structure and a plan that concretely demonstrates how the activity will drive job creation in the U.S. Appreciation or resale of the property alone is not sufficient.

• Buying and reselling real estate on its own rarely meets the job requirement.
• The focus of EB-5 is on the commercial enterprise that creates jobs.
• A solid, evidence-based business plan is essential.

Because each project is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, it is worth consulting specialized professionals and confirming the current EB-5 rules at the official source (USCIS) before structuring the investment.

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.