The path to U.S. residency can be complicated, but the EB-5 visa offers a direct route for investors seeking permanent status in the United States. Based on qualified investment and job creation, foreign nationals can obtain green cards along with their families and can also obtain U.S. citizenship in time. But the process isn’t simple. That’s where Orange Law steps in.
As a trusted legal partner, Orange Law helps EB-5 applicants avoid delays, meet USCIS requirements, and secure their place in the United States with confidence. If you’re considering the EB-5 visa, here’s everything you need to know—and how the right legal team can make all the difference.
What Is the EB-5 Visa?
The US started the EB-5 visa scheme to bring in money through foreign investors and develop the local economy. If an applicant makes an eligible investment and creates or preserves at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs, he and his family can get a green card.
There are two primary investment pathways:
- Direct Investment: You invest in your own business or enterprise in the U.S.
- Regional Center Investment: You invest through a USCIS-approved regional center, which oversees larger-scale commercial projects.
Whether you invest directly or through a regional centre, in both cases the paperwork and compliance have to be handled very carefully.
EB-5 Visa Investment Requirements in 2025
As of 2025, the minimum investment amounts are:
- $1,050,000 for standard projects
- For TEA or Targeted Employment Areas (such as rural or zones with high job loss), you need to invest $800,000.
The investment must be “at risk”, which means that while investing the money, you have no assurance whether you will get it back or get a fixed return on it. A qualified EB-5 visa attorney, such as the lawyers at Orange Law, will explain which investments are eligible and how to structure them properly.
Why Job Creation Matters
The most important condition for this EB-5 visa is that your investment should create or save 10 full-time jobs in the US within 2 years.
This requirement varies slightly based on whether you choose a direct or regional center investment. If you choose the Regional Centre option, you get the facility to count indirect and indirect jobs as well.
Orange Law guides investors on how to document job creation thoroughly, ensuring your application meets USCIS scrutiny.
Common Challenges in the EB-5 Process
Many investors make critical mistakes during the EB-5 process, including:
- Choosing the wrong project or regional center
- Failing to prove lawful source of funds
- Incomplete or inconsistent financial documentation
- Overlooking important timelines and visa quotas
- Misunderstanding the job creation requirement
This is the reason why you should seek the help of a skilled EB-5 visa attorney who can handle the entire process smoothly. Working with immigration consultants, economists, and business sources, Orange Law makes your file strong from every angle.
The EB-5 Visa Timeline
The EB-5 process is multi-stage:
- Investment and I-526 Petition Filing
- You make your qualifying investment and submit Form I-526E with supporting documents.
- Petition Review by USCIS
- Processing times vary, but in 2025, standard timelines range between 18 to 30 months.
- Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing
- Once I-526 is approved, you either adjust status in the U.S. (Form I-485) or attend an interview at a U.S. consulate abroad.
- Conditional Green Card Issuance
- You and your dependents receive a two-year conditional permanent resident status.
- File I-829 to Remove Conditions
- Before the two-year period ends, you must show that the investment was sustained and jobs were created.
Orange Law stays with you through every step—from investment structuring to green card approval—making the EB-5 visa process manageable and less stressful.
How Orange Law Supports EB-5 Applicants
Orange Law has extensive experience with investor visas and understands the details USCIS looks for in an EB-5 application. When you work with their team, you get:
- Strategic advice on direct vs. regional center investments
- In-depth support documenting the lawful source of funds
- Careful review of commercial project documents
- Preparation and filing of I-526, I-485, and I-829 petitions
- Ongoing updates and immigration planning for your family
Orange Law also coordinates with financial advisors and tax professionals to protect your global assets while maintaining EB-5 compliance.
EB-5 for Families: Green Cards for Spouse and Children
On taking an EB-5 visa, not only you but also your wife and unmarried children (below 21) are eligible for Green Card.
Orange Law helps you plan your family’s immigration timeline so that everyone receives the proper documentation and avoids age-out issues for children approaching 21.
Secure Your Future with Orange Law
The EB-5 program is a powerful pathway to permanent U.S. residency, but it’s also full of legal and financial complexity. A trusted legal partner is essential.
Want to start your US residency plan? Speak to Orange Law’s EB-5 visa experts, who will provide you with transparent and reliable support at every stage.
Visit www.orangelaw.us to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward securing your place in the United States.
