If I invest in IT and hire remote programmers abroad, does it count?

Investing in IT is entirely possible, but hiring remote programmers who work abroad will rarely satisfy the central requirement of the EB-5 program. The program was designed so that the investment generates jobs within the United States, for citizens and residents who are authorized to work in the country.

When professionals work physically outside the U.S., those positions do not benefit the American labor market, which is precisely the goal of the program. As a result, a technology project that relies on remote teams based abroad will generally not meet the local job creation requirement on its own.

This does not mean the technology sector is off-limits for EB-5. What matters is where and for whom the jobs are created: the investment must translate into real positions on U.S. soil. The rules are interpreted strictly by USCIS.

• EB-5 requires jobs created within the United States.
• Positions filled by professionals abroad will generally not count.
• IT qualifies as long as it generates eligible local jobs.

Because how the project is structured makes all the difference, it is worth designing the investment with specialized immigration guidance and confirming current requirements with USCIS before moving forward.

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.