With EB-5, does the green card come right at the start of the process?

Partly, yes. When the EB-5 petition is approved, the investor receives a green card, so residency arrives relatively early. The key detail is that this first green card is conditional, not the final permanent residence.

In other words, EB-5 does not deliver an unconditional green card right away. The conditional status works as a phase in which you must keep the invested capital in place and show that the required jobs under the program were created.

• Upon approval, the conditional green card is issued, which already grants residency.
• At the end of the conditional period, you file to remove the conditions.
• Once fulfillment of the terms is demonstrated, the permanent, unconditional green card is issued.

Do not confuse this phase with a renewal: it is the proof that the investment met what the program requires. Because timeframes and requirements are set by regulation and may change, confirm what applies to your case with the USCIS and follow the process with a qualified specialist.

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.