What is the difference between ‘principal applicant’ and ‘derivative applicant’?

In EB-5, this distinction defines who supports the petition and who benefits from it. The principal applicant is the investor: the person who makes the investment and meets the program requirements. Their qualifications form the foundation of the entire case.

The principal applicant must demonstrate that they deployed the required capital and that the investment will generate the jobs called for by the program. They are, in other words, the center of the immigration process.

The derivative applicants are the dependents tied to that petition, typically the spouse and unmarried children within the age limit. They benefit from the principal applicant’s approval and obtain a derived immigration status, without having to independently prove the investment or job creation.

• Principal applicant: makes the investment and meets the requirements.
• Derivative applicants: dependents who accompany the main petition.

Because the dependency rules have specific details, it is worth confirming the current requirements with USCIS and, if needed, seeking specialized guidance to structure the family’s petition safely.

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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.