Does EB-5 cover my grandchildren?

No. The EB-5 program extends the green card to the investor and their immediate dependents, and grandchildren do not automatically fall into that group. Coverage under the program is designed for the investor’s immediate family unit.

In practice, the family members who typically accompany the investor through the process are the spouse and unmarried children within the applicable age limit set by the rules. Grandchildren, parents, and other relatives fall outside this direct coverage, even when the family is close-knit.

This does not mean there is no path for them, only that EB-5 is not the automatic route:

• Family members outside the immediate unit must explore other legal avenues of their own.
• Each family situation has particularities that affect the options available.
• The criteria for who qualifies as a dependent are defined by immigration rules and are subject to change.

Because eligibility depends on each family’s specific circumstances and the rules in effect, it is worth mapping out the alternatives with an immigration attorney and confirming who qualifies at the official source (USCIS) before planning 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.