What is the difference between full-time and part-time jobs in the EB-5 employment creation requirement?

In EB-5, the employment creation requirement is measured by full-time positions that meet the criteria established by U.S. immigration authorities. This is the distinction that most often causes confusion: what counts, and how it counts.

A full-time position that meets the official parameters is counted directly. Part-time jobs, as a general rule, are not counted in the same way.

• Full-time positions that meet the official criteria contribute directly to the required count.
• Part-time jobs generally do not count on their own toward that total.
• Combining the hours of part-time positions does not normally substitute for a full-time position.

In other words, a job structure built around part-time positions instead of full-time roles may not automatically satisfy the requirement, even if the combined hours appear equivalent. The assessment is made on a case-by-case basis.

Since the interpretation can vary depending on the project, confirm the current employment creation criteria directly with USCIS and review your project structure with a specialist before investing.

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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.