Can I pay for college as a resident (‘resident tuition’) with the EB-5?

Holding the EB-5 grants lawful permanent resident status, but that does not automatically entitle you to the reduced tuition rate known as ‘resident tuition’ (the in-state rate charged to state residents). These are two separate things: immigration status comes from federal immigration law; tuition eligibility comes from each state’s own rules.

In the United States, each state sets its own residency criteria for tuition purposes. Generally, you must show that you have established a fixed domicile in the state for a qualifying period and that you intend to remain there, and the exact requirements and timeframe vary considerably from one place to another.

In other words, even with a green card through the EB-5, you will only qualify for the in-state rate if you meet all of the state’s requirements and, in many cases, those of the institution itself. This is worth confirming on a case-by-case basis.

Before planning your studies, look up the specific rules of the university and the state where you intend to study, directly from official sources, and consider specialized guidance to understand how your situation fits.

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.