Can I use a loan from friends for the EB-5?

Yes, it is possible to use loans from friends (or family members) to make up the invested capital in the EB-5. The program allows part of the funds to come from third parties, as long as you can prove the lawful source of all the money.

The key word is documentation. It is strongly recommended to formalize the loan in writing, with a contract describing the amount, the terms, the repayment plan, and any collateral. This record helps demonstrate that the funds were obtained legally, a central requirement of the process.

It is also necessary to trace the origin of the money on the lender’s end: the lender’s financial statements, bank statements, and transaction records that confirm the transfer reinforce the legitimacy of the capital before the immigration authority.

Since transparency is decisive here, it is worth checking the updated requirements with USCIS and structuring the documentation with specialized support, avoiding any promises of guaranteed outcomes.

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.