How Investors Can Become U.S. Citizens: EB-5 and Beyond

Relocating your life and assets to the U.S. isn’t just the process of acquiring one document; rather, it’s about building a solid foundation for your family’s future. When you are a high-net-worth individual, you may have an interest in achieving full legal status as a national rather than just receiving a temporary entry permit. The method that remains the most reliable and systematic way to transition from foreign investor to fully naturalized American citizen is through U.S. citizenship by investment.

Globally, there are many “Golden Visa” programs, but the U.S. model—the EB-5 program—is unique in that it specifically rewards individuals who invest in the economy and workforce of the United States.

The Foundation: Understanding Residency by Investment in the USA

An investor must first prove that they are a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) before they can get a passport. Residency by investment USA programs make this possible by giving a Green Card to the main applicant, their spouse, and any unmarried children under 21.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is the most well-known way. The EB-5 visa requirements are very clear under the rules that will be in place in 2026:

• Minimum Investment: $800,000 for a project in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which is a rural or high-unemployment area, or $1.05 million for a regular infrastructure or commercial project.
• Job Creation: The investment must create or keep at least 10 full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers within two years.
• Source of Funds: Investors must give full proof that they got their money legally, like through business profits, an inheritance, or the sale of assets.

The EB-5 Visa Citizenship Timeline

The USA investor visa path is a long process that requires patience and strict adherence to the law. You can’t just buy citizenship right away; you have to earn it over time.

1. I-526E Petition: This is the first step where the investor shows that they are eligible and that their money is real.
2. Conditional Permanent Residency: If the investor is approved, they get a “conditional” Green Card that is good for two years. This lets the family live, work, and go to school anywhere in the U.S.
3. Removal of Conditions (I-829): The investor must show that the 10 jobs were created and the capital was still “at risk” between 21 and 24 months after they moved to the US. If they are approved, they get a Green Card that lasts for ten years.
4. Naturalization: This is the last step in the process of getting an EB-5 visa and becoming a citizen.

Navigating the US Naturalization Process

After five years of permanent residency by investment, which includes the first two years of conditional residency, you can apply for citizenship.

The process of becoming a US citizen has a few important steps:

• Physical Presence: You had to have been in the U.S. for at least 30 months in the five years before you applied.
• Continuous Residence: You must live in the U.S. all the time. Absences of more than six months can break this continuity.
• Civics and English Skills: To apply, you need to pass a basic English test and a civics test that covers U.S. history and how the government works.
• Good Moral Character: This means not having a criminal record and paying your taxes.

Why Investment Immigration in the USA is a Strategic Choice

There are clear benefits to choosing investment immigration USA over other programs around the world. Many countries offer “residency,” but not many have the same level of economic stability and the size of the American market.

Families can get a green card through investments, which gives them access to:

• Top-Tier Education: Kids can go to public schools for free and get “in-state” tuition rates at top colleges and universities. This can save them hundreds of thousands of dollars compared to what international students pay.
• Global Mobility: A U.S. passport is always one of the strongest in the world, letting you go to more than 180 places without a visa or with a visa on arrival.
• Business Growth: Permanent residents can start businesses, trade, and invest without the same restrictions that apply to foreign nationals.

Beyond EB-5: Other Pathways

While the EB-5 is the most direct route to U.S. citizenship by investment, some entrepreneurs choose the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa. However, it is vital to note that the E-2 is a non-immigrant visa. It allows you to live and run a business in the U.S., but it does not lead directly to a Green Card. Most E-2 holders eventually transition into the EB-5 category to secure their long-term future.

How FRR Immigration Can Assist Your Transition

Getting U.S. citizenship by investment is not easy. You need more than just money; you also need a strategic partner who knows how the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) works. At FRR Immigration, we offer a full range of services to help reduce risk and make sure the transition goes smoothly.

 

• Customized Project Selection: We carefully choose which Regional Centre projects to work on. We focus on projects that have a history of meeting job creation requirements, which is the most common problem people face when trying to become US citizens.
• Full Support for Documentation: “Request for Evidence” (RFE) about the source of funds is one of the main reasons why visas take so long to process. We work with you to put together a financial history that meets the strictest EB-5 visa requirements.
• End-to-End Coordination: We take care of all the legal filings and deadlines from your first I-526E filing to your last N-400 naturalisation application. This way, you can focus on your family and business.
• Relocation Strategy: There is more to moving to a new country than just filling out forms. We help people learn about the tax effects, school options, and steps they need to take to become permanent residents through investment.
• Direct Access to Legal Knowledge: We connect you with U.S. immigration lawyers who are very knowledgeable about the law and make sure that every legal brief we file for you is correct and meets the standards of 2026.

If you are ready to secure your family’s future and begin your USA investor visa pathway, the time to act is now.

Contact FRR Immigration today for a private consultation and take the first step toward your U.S. citizenship by investment.

FAQs

1. What is the minimum investment for a U.S. Green Card in 2026?

The minimum investment is $800,000 for projects in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA) and $1.05 million for non-TEA projects.

2. How long does it take to get U.S. citizenship through investment?

Typically, it takes at least five years of holding a Green Card (including the conditional period) before you can apply for naturalization.

3. Does the EB-5 visa cover my family?

Yes, the primary investor can include their spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 in the same application.

4. What is the difference between a conditional and permanent Green Card?

A conditional Green Card is valid for two years and requires you to prove the investment created 10 jobs to “remove the conditions” and receive a permanent 10-year card.

5. Can I use a gift or inheritance for my EB-5 investment?

Yes, as long as you can provide a clear “paper trail” proving the person who gifted or bequeathed the money obtained it through legal means.