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Understanding EB-5 Source of Funds
14 min read
EB-5 Basics · Stage 2 Guide
EB-5 Visa Requirements 2026:
Complete Guide for International Investors
Investment minimums, source of funds documentation, the 10-job requirement, USCIS processing timeline, and how EB-5 compares to employment-based green cards.
$800,000
Minimum TEA Investment
Targeted Employment Area
10
Full-Time US Jobs Required
Per investor, per petition
5–7 yrs
Path to Unconditional GC
Typical end-to-end timeline
Section 2 of 8
EB-5 Eligibility Checklist
EB-5 has no nationality, age, language, or educational requirements. Eligibility is defined by five criteria. Click each item to expand the full explanation.
You have $800K (TEA) or $1,050,000 (Standard) in investable capital
Your funds have a lawful, documentable source of origin
You can sustain the investment for 5–7 years (capital at risk)
You or your family intend to reside in the United States
You can engage a licensed immigration attorney
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EB-5 Investment Tiers: TEA vs. Standard
USCIS sets two investment minimums based on project location. The right tier for you depends on where your chosen project is located — not your personal preferences.
Most Common · 68% of investors
$800,000
TEA — Targeted Employment Area
- Rural areas or urban zones with ≥150% national unemployment
- Saves $250,000 vs. standard minimum
- Rural TEA projects get 20% visa set-aside + priority processing
- TEA status verified at time of I-526E filing
- Majority of Regional Center projects qualify
Standard · Non-TEA
$1,050,000
Standard — Non-TEA Location
- Urban, low-unemployment areas (major metros)
- Higher minimum — $250K more than TEA tier
- No visa set-aside or processing priority
- Broader choice of project types in prime locations
- Fewer projects use this tier today
Investment amounts set by USCIS regulation. Subject to change by rulemaking. Always verify current amounts at uscis.gov.
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The 10 Full-Time Jobs Requirement
Every EB-5 investor must demonstrate that their investment created or will create at least 10 full-time positions for qualifying US workers. This is not optional — it is a statutory requirement under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Investor Capital
$800K–$1.05M
NCE
New Commercial Enterprise
JCE
Job Creating Entity
10 Full-Time US Jobs
Qualifying workers
Regional Center Path95%+ of investors
- Direct and indirect and induced jobs all count
- Economist-modeled methodology (RIMS II, IMPLAN)
- Passive investor — no business management required
- 10× easier to satisfy with job multiplier cascade
- RC manages compliance reporting to USCIS
Direct EB-5 PathComplex · Less common
- Only direct W-2 employees count toward the 10
- Must actively manage the new commercial enterprise
- Investor bears full compliance burden
- Suitable only for entrepreneur-investors
- No RC admin fee (~$50–75K saved)
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Source of Funds — 5 Approved Categories
USCIS requires comprehensive documentation of how your investment capital was earned or obtained. Select your source type below to see the required documentation.
Critical: Source of Funds is the #1 reason I-526E petitions are denied. Work with an immigration attorney to prepare your SOF package — do not attempt this documentation without professional guidance.
🏦 Personal Savings — Required Documentation
- 24–36 months of personal bank statements (all accounts)
- 3 years of personal tax returns (US and foreign)
- Explanation of large deposits or transfers
- Salary slips or employment income records
Savings accumulated over many years are the most straightforward SOF — but every large balance increase must be explained and documented.
Section 6 of 8
USCIS Milestone Timeline
The EB-5 process spans multiple USCIS milestones over 5–7 years. Click any bar to see milestone details.
0m
12m
24m
36m
48m
60m
72m
84m
Processing times are estimates based on historical USCIS data and vary significantly by service center, country of chargeability, and petition complexity. Check the current Visa Bulletin.
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EB-5 vs. Employment-Based Alternatives
EB-5 is one of several employment-based green card categories. Here is how it compares to the most common alternatives for internationally-born investors.
| Criteria | EB-5 | EB-2 / EB-3 (India example) | EB-1A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Backlog (India) | 5–7 years | 40–80+ years | None (current) |
| Employer Sponsorship Required | No | Yes | No |
| Investment Required | Yes ($800K+) | No | No |
| Spouse Work Authorization | Yes (EAD during processing) | Limited (H-4 EAD, restrictions) | Yes |
| Children (under 21) Included | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Processing Certainty | High (if docs correct) | Quota/backlog dependent | USCIS discretionary |
Table reflects general patterns as of 2026. Visa Bulletin priority dates for India and China change monthly. Consult an immigration attorney for your specific country and category.
Section 8 of 8
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions investors ask before beginning the EB-5 process.
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