What type of business can I open through the EB-5?

Under EB-5, you can invest in virtually any business that qualifies as a lawful commercial enterprise, as long as it creates or preserves the jobs required by the program and puts the capital to work in the U.S. economy. The focus is not on the industry itself, but on the enterprise’s ability to meet those objectives.

In practice, this opens a wide range of possibilities. Some common examples:

• Restaurants, hotels, and other service businesses.
• Healthcare and education centers.
• Technology companies.
• Franchises of established brands.

The legal structure is also flexible. Many investors organize the business as an LLC (limited liability company) or as a corporation, but other formats exist. Each option carries its own legal and tax implications, making it important to choose based on your overall strategy rather than habit alone.

Because the business classification and job-creation documentation are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, verify current requirements with official sources and seek specialized legal counsel in immigration and foreign investment before structuring your business.

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.