If I buy a house and rent it out, can I count maintenance jobs toward EB-5?

Buying a house to rent out is unlikely to satisfy the job creation requirement of the EB-5 program. The program is designed for investments that generate full-time jobs for workers in the United States, and passive rental income from residential property generally does not fit that objective.

Positions tied to a rental property, such as maintenance or repair work, are typically treated as indirect jobs and, in most cases, are neither sufficient nor qualifying to meet the program’s job creation requirement.

EB-5 favors projects that produce a direct and verifiable increase in employment, such as the launch or expansion of businesses with a clear impact on the local economy. This is why simply managing residential properties rarely supports a petition.

• Residential rental income tends to be passive income, outside the focus of EB-5.
• Maintenance jobs are typically counted as indirect and insufficient.
• The program values direct jobs created by a new business venture.

Since each project is evaluated individually and rules may change, it is worth confirming updated requirements with USCIS and reviewing the investment structure with a specialist before filing.

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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.