How does the physical green card issuance work?

On the EB-5 path, the physical green card is issued after several steps. Once the petition is approved, the investor goes through immigrant visa issuance, which authorizes entry into the United States. Upon arriving with that valid visa, the investor immediately becomes a conditional permanent resident.

From that point, the physical green card, the document that evidences this status, is typically mailed by USCIS to the address on record during the process. Delivery timing may vary depending on demand and any additional checks, so the best approach is to monitor through official channels and keep the address up to date.

An important note: in the EB-5, the first green card is usually conditional. It serves as a verification stage, not a final approval. Later, it is necessary to file to remove the conditions, demonstrating that the investment and the program requirements were met, in order to reach unconditional permanent residence.

• Entry with the immigrant visa already grants conditional status.
• The physical card arrives later, by mail, at the address on record.
• Removal of conditions is a subsequent step, not automatic.

Because timelines and requirements change, confirm the latest information with USCIS or a qualified professional.

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.