Can I retire after starting a business through EB-5?

Generally, yes. Once you obtain permanent residence through EB-5, there is no legal barrier to retiring. The program is built around the investment and the creation or preservation of jobs, not around a requirement that you personally run day-to-day operations.

In practice, if the enterprise is operating and meeting the job-creation requirements, it is possible to hand management over to someone else and step back from operations. The key point is that the investment must continue to satisfy program requirements for as long as your immigration status depends on it.

• Permanent residence does not require you to personally manage the business.
• The required investment and jobs must be maintained for as long as your status depends on them.
• Shortfalls in business sustainability can affect the conditions-removal phase.

Because every situation has its own details, especially during a management transition, it is worth reviewing the current requirements with USCIS and planning your retirement with the support of a specialist before making a decision.

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.