How many employees must I have at minimum at the time of the I-829?

In the EB-5 program, removing conditions through the I-829 petition requires you to demonstrate that your investment generated the minimum number of full-time jobs required by the program for workers in the United States. There is indeed a job-creation floor, and it is one of the central points of the review.

The important detail is how those jobs are counted. In a direct investment, the positions created by the invested company itself typically count. In projects through a regional center, however, the approved methodology may also consider indirect jobs, calculated using economic models.

In either case, what supports the petition is documentation: records that clearly and verifiably show that the jobs were actually created or maintained. Bare numbers, without documentary backing, are not sufficient.

Because the exact job floor and counting rules can change over time and vary by project type, it is worth verifying the current requirement with USCIS or a qualified professional before filing the I-829.

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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.