Can the EB-5 program be used for subsidiaries of multinational companies?

In principle, yes. The EB-5 program is designed to attract foreign investment to create jobs and stimulate the United States economy, and it does not by itself exclude companies tied to multinational groups. What matters is whether the operation set up in the U.S. meets the program’s requirements.

For a subsidiary to qualify, it must be structured as a new commercial enterprise (or the restructuring of an existing one) that receives the investment and generates the required number of full-time jobs. Being the arm of a multinational is not enough: the operation must have these characteristics on its own.

In other words, if the subsidiary is organized as an entity that genuinely receives the capital and meets the job-creation targets, it may qualify. But a simple connection to the parent company, without those elements, will generally not be sufficient for approval.

Each case is analyzed individually and must clearly demonstrate an economic benefit to the American market. Since the investment and job requirements have values and limits set by the relevant authority, it is worth checking the current requirements with USCIS and seeking specialized legal advice before structuring the project.

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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.