What are the ways to enter the U.S. after I-526 approval?

Once the I-526 is approved under the EB-5 program, the investor reaches an important milestone on the path to permanent residency, but additional steps are still required to actually enter the United States. In general, there are two routes, and which one applies depends on where the investor is at the time.

• Consular processing: for those outside the U.S. The investor and their dependents apply for an immigrant visa at an American consulate or embassy, going through form completion, a medical exam, and an interview. Once the visa is issued, they receive conditional resident status upon entering the country.
• Adjustment of status: for those already lawfully in the U.S. The investor requests a change of their immigration status to conditional permanent resident without needing to leave the country.

Each route has its own documentation requirements and steps, and the right choice depends on your specific situation. It is worth confirming the applicable procedure through official sources (USCIS and the Department of State) and, ideally, working with a qualified professional to navigate each step safely.

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.