Can I use bank financing for the EB-5?

With EB-5, using borrowed capital is not automatically prohibited, but the funds must meet the program’s central requirement: the invested money must be genuinely at risk in job creation, not merely present on paper.

In practice, funds from financing tend to be accepted when the investor is personally liable for the debt and the loan is not secured by the assets of the receiving enterprise. It is also essential to document the lawful source of all capital, including borrowed amounts, with records that trace the path of the money.

Poorly structured financing arrangements often raise questions during review, because they may suggest that the real risk does not fall on the investor. It is therefore worth evaluating each arrangement carefully before making any commitments.

• The capital, whether own funds or borrowed, must be genuinely at risk.
• The source of funds must be lawful and traceable through documentation.
• Personal liability for the debt typically weighs in the evaluation.

Since each case is assessed individually by the relevant authority, the best approach is to verify the current requirements with USCIS and discuss the investment structure with a specialist before deciding.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.