Can I live on the border and run my EB-5 business?

Living on the border and managing an EB-5 business on the other side is theoretically possible, but it runs into a central issue: the EB-5 program is a path to permanent residency in the United States, and that status assumes you actually live in the country and maintain genuine ties to it.

The program does not require the investor to manage the company’s day-to-day operations, so you do not need to be on-site at the business. What it does expect is that you fulfill the obligations of a green card holder, such as maintaining a U.S. domicile and a physical presence consistent with resident status. Establishing your primary residence outside the country, even in a city just across the border, can raise questions about whether you are maintaining that status.

In addition, the EB-5 enterprise must be located on U.S. soil and contribute to the local economy, generating the jobs the program requires. Working in your own business is permitted, provided your activities comply with immigration rules and program guidelines.

Because each situation has its own details and this is a sensitive area, it is worth verifying current requirements with USCIS and planning your residency strategy with a specialist, while avoiding offers that promise simplified or guaranteed solutions.

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.