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Can I live in any U.S. state after getting the EB-5?

With the EB-5 green card you can live in any U.S. state and even move later: there is no tie to the investment location. The key concern is maintaining effective residency in the country.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 11, 2026
1 min read
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Yes. Once the EB-5 results in a green card, the investor becomes a lawful permanent resident and can freely choose where to live in the United States. There is no requirement to remain in the state where the investment was made.

This geographic freedom is one of the advantages of the EB-5 over work visas tied to a specific employer or location. The investor and their dependents can live in a major city, a rural area, or any region, and can move to a different state whenever they choose.

There is, however, one important consideration: the green card requires maintaining effective residency in the United States. Extended absences or abandonment of U.S. residence can jeopardize permanent resident status, regardless of which state was chosen.

  • No requirement to live in the state where the EB-5 project is located.
  • Freedom to move to a different state at any time.
  • Preserving continuous residency is essential to protect the green card.

Before planning extended trips or relocations, it is worth checking the updated residency rules with USCIS or a qualified specialist.

Learn more about EB-5

Type
Investment Green Card
Min. investment
US$ 800,000
Jobs created
Minimum 10 (full-time)
Processing
24-48 months
All about EB-5

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.

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Can I live in any U.S. state after getting the EB-5?

With the EB-5 green card you can live in any U.S. state and even move later: there is no tie to the investment location. The key concern is maintaining effective residency in the country.

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