Can I work immediately after entering the US with an EB-5 visa?

Yes. When you enter the United States with the EB-5, you arrive already as a conditional permanent resident, which is equivalent to holding green card status. This status includes the right to live and work freely in the country from day one.

Unlike temporary work visas, the EB-5 does not tie the holder to a specific employer or require a separate work authorization document to get started. Professional freedom is already built into the condition of permanent residency.

• No separate work authorization request is needed.
• You may work for any employer, open a business, or be self-employed.
• This right extends to the investor and to the dependents included in the petition.

Because the EB-5 green card begins in conditional form, it is worth monitoring the status maintenance obligations with USCIS or a specialist to avoid jeopardizing residency throughout the process.

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.