Investing your way to the United States

Who this section is for

This section is for people who want to come to the United States by putting their own money into a U.S. business, and for advisors helping them. There is no single "investor visa." Three main routes exist, and they work very differently: EB-5 leads to a green card, while E-2 and E-1 are renewable temporary visas limited to citizens of treaty countries. Which one fits depends on your nationality, how much capital you can document, whether you want to run a business yourself, and whether permanent residence is the goal.

What are the U.S. investor visa options?

EB-5 immigrant investor

A green card for investing at least $1,050,000, or $800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project, in a new business that creates 10 full-time jobs. Open to any nationality. Those amounts apply to filings through December 31, 2026; the law adjusts them for inflation on January 1, 2027.

E-2 treaty investor

A temporary, renewable visa for citizens of treaty countries who invest a substantial amount in a business they develop and direct. No fixed minimum.

E-1 treaty trader

A temporary visa for treaty-country citizens whose business carries on substantial trade with the United States, with more than half of its international trade between the U.S. and the treaty country. It is covered in our E-2 guide and on the State Department's treaty pages.

For a detailed side-by-side table, read EB-5 vs. E-2 vs. L-1. If you are moving an existing company rather than investing personally, start with our business immigration hub.

What "investment" means in each category

• EB-5: capital (cash, property, or debt secured by your own assets) placed at risk in a new commercial enterprise. You must prove the lawful source and path of every dollar, and the capital is expected to remain invested for at least two years. Regional center investors are often passive; direct investors run their own business. See EB-5 source of funds.
• E-2: your own funds irrevocably committed to an active, operating business and at risk of loss, in an amount that is substantial compared with the cost of the business. Buying a passive asset like land or stocks does not qualify, and the business must not be marginal.
• E-1: no investment test. The focus is the volume and continuity of trade in goods or services between the U.S. and the treaty country.

Understand the risks first

Key dates and changes to watch (as of October 2026)

• November 30, 2026: new EB-5 filing fees take effect, including $7,850 for Form I-526E and a $1,100 Integrity Fund fee.
• January 1, 2027: EB-5 minimum investment amounts adjust for inflation, with the new figures to be published in the Federal Register.
• September 30, 2027: the EB-5 regional center program's current authorization ends unless Congress extends it.
• Ongoing: presidential proclamations suspend visa issuance for nationals of certain countries, which can affect both E-2 and EB-5 applicants. Check the State Department before you invest.

The separate "Gold Card" program created by Executive Order 14351 is a payment-based immigrant petition (Form I-140G), not an investment. Its availability and terms can change, so check uscis.gov for the current status before relying on it.

Sensible first steps