Can I hire relatives to meet the required number of jobs?

Hiring relatives is not prohibited under EB-5, but each position must be genuine to count toward the job-creation requirement. The program does not look at family ties themselves; it looks at the authenticity and real operational need for the role within the business.

For a job to qualify, it must be a real, full-time position that meaningfully contributes to the operation and growth of the enterprise. Authorities assess whether the hiring was conducted transparently and whether the role is genuinely necessary, not merely a formality to meet the program’s job target.

If there are indications that a position was structured solely to satisfy the requirement without a legitimate operational need, it may not be accepted. For this reason, every hire must be supported by a solid justification that demonstrates the true value of that role in the business.

• Hiring relatives, in itself, is not barred by the program.
• The position must be real, full-time, and necessary to the operation.
• Jobs created solely to meet the requirement tend to be questioned.

Because each case is reviewed individually, it is worth planning hires with specialized guidance and confirming current requirements with the USCIS.

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.