From first steps to citizenship

By investing in job-creating projects, you and your family can gain lawful permanent residence in the U.S., including unrestricted work and travel privileges and eligibility for full U.S. citizenship.

The EB-5 program offers a clear and reliable pathway to the future you envision for your family. For many immigrants, life in the United States means more than opportunity. It represents lasting security and a place to belong. With a single qualifying investment, you and your family can begin building that life.

Recent reforms under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 have accelerated this process. Investors already in the U.S. can now file for concurrent adjustment of status and receive temporary Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) and Advance Parole (AP) travel permits within a few months, allowing you to start establishing your new life before your conditional green card process has been completed.

See how recent reforms can help you accelerate your journey.

The First Step in the Process

If you are already in the U.S. under a temporary visa, you and your attorney can file your I-526 (or I-526E) petition while also submitting an Adjustment of Status (I-485). This concurrent filing procedure also allows you to include applications for your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole (AP) travel permit.

These approvals, which often arrive within months, give you the right to work for any employer and the freedom to travel abroad temporarily without abandoning your green card application. During this period, your family can begin settling into daily life, finding a home, enrolling children in school, and feeling a sense of stability in your new community.

Two Years for Your Conditional Green Card

Once USCIS approves your petition and Adjustment of Status, you and your family receive two-year conditional green cards. This milestone brings new benefits and flexibility:

• • Enjoy the freedom to choose. Unlike employer-sponsored visas, EB-5 residency lets you decide whether to make your home in a vibrant city, a quiet suburb, or a scenic small town. At the same time, you can choose to change jobs or start your own business. For the sake of your case, nevertheless, you should maintain a U.S. residence, file U.S. taxes, and show ties such as family member enrollment in school or active business interests.
  • Send your children to school. From day one, your children can attend free U.S. public schools. At the university level, they may qualify for in-state tuition, which can save tens of thousands of dollars while accessing world-class higher education.
  • Secure healthcare and retirement opportunities. Over time, your residency can give you entrée to America’s healthcare system and may qualify you for Social Security and Medicare, giving your family financial and medical support later in life.
  • Travel, but wisely. Your green card allows you to travel freely; however, trips lasting longer than six months may raise questions about your intent to reside permanently. If unavoidable circumstances keep you abroad, apply for a reentry permit before leaving, which allows you up to two years to remain outside the U.S. without losing status.

Ten Years for Your Permanent Green Card

As your conditional card approaches expiration, you’ll need to file Form I-829 to remove conditions. Once approved, you’ll receive a 10-year permanent green card that is renewable indefinitely.

After five years as a permanent resident (three if married to a U.S. citizen, you may apply for naturalization. This includes the two years of “conditional” green card status. With citizenship comes the U.S. passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 180 countries, and the peace of mind of knowing your family’s place in America is secure for generations.

Your Path Forward

The EB-5 visa program is more than an investment. It’s a bridge to your future as you embark on your new life in the United States. By investing in job-creating projects, you and your family can gain work and travel privileges, secure permanent residency, as well as pursue U.S. citizenship. Each step builds upon the last, leading to opportunity and community.

For more information on the EB-5 program, visit carofin.com or consult with a qualified immigration attorney.