Can I use a loan for the EB-5?

In general, yes. The EB-5 does not prohibit using loan proceeds to fund the investment, as long as the investor can demonstrate two things: that the money was obtained lawfully and that the capital is genuinely at risk.

Being at risk means the amount is subject to loss if the enterprise does not achieve its expected results. For this reason, the structure cannot provide the investor with repayment guarantees that are independent of the project’s performance, as that would eliminate the required risk element.

It is worth noting that immigration authorities closely examine the source of funds and the financial structure of the business. If the operation relies too heavily on third-party resources, questions may arise about the investor’s genuine commitment to risk.

For this reason, it is often advisable to combine personal funds and a loan, with well-organized documentation. Since each case is reviewed individually, confirm the current requirements with USCIS or a trusted specialist.

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.