Can my dependents come to the U.S. before me in the EB-5?

In the EB-5 process, the principal investor and immediate family members, the spouse and unmarried children within the age limit, may seek conditional residence in the United States. The dependents’ status, however, is derivative of the principal investor’s.

In practice, this means that the dependents’ situation follows the approval of the principal investor’s case. As a result, they generally do not enter the country before the principal investor: the most common outcome is that visas are issued to the family at the same time, or that entry is coordinated so that each person’s status complies with the applicable rules.

Each case may have its own particularities, and specific circumstances can affect the timing of travel for each family member. Decisions about dates and order of entry should take into account the actual progress of the process and the applicable regulations.

Because immigration rules are detailed and subject to change, verify the current conditions with the USCIS and seek specialized guidance before planning your family’s travel.

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.