Can I finance the purchase of a hotel for EB-5?

Yes, it is possible. A hotel can be the underlying enterprise behind an EB-5 investment, including with part of the purchase financed, as long as the operation meets all the program requirements. The hospitality sector is not a disqualifier; what matters is the business structure.

To qualify for EB-5, the project must be organized as a commercial enterprise that reaches the minimum investment amount required by the U.S. government and demonstrates the creation of the required number of jobs, whether directly or indirectly through a regional center. That minimum amount varies depending on the project’s location, including in areas designated as Targeted Employment Areas.

• The committed capital must be effectively deployed into the project.
• The required job creation must be documented and proven.
• No financing structure guarantees approval on its own.

Because investment amounts and job requirements follow official parameters that are periodically updated, and because fraudulent offerings exist in the market, it is worth verifying the current requirements with USCIS and reviewing any project with immigration and investment specialists before committing.

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.