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EB5 Glossary of Terms

When you first dip your toes into the waters of the popular EB-5 programme, the sea of terms and acronyms can feel like navigating uncharted territory. At La Vida, we’re all about simplifying the journey to second residency or citizenship for our clients and we firmly believe that knowledge is power.

EB5 is one of the most desired residency by investment programmes in the world. But let’s face it, the terminology can be a bit overwhelming at first glance. Don’t let technical jargon deter you. Our team is here to hold your hand through the process, breaking down the complexities into easy-to-understand terms. Find our simple glossary below:

Green Card

A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document that grants an individual the right to live and work permanently in the United States. EB-5 investors and their immediate family members are eligible to apply for Green Cards if they meet the programme’s requirements.

USCIS

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for administering the country’s immigration and naturalization system. USCIS processes EB-5 petitions and applications, including Form I-526 and Form I-829.

Regional Center

A Regional Center is essentially a business entity which is regulated by USCIS to sponsor capital investment projects for EB-5 investors. Investments made through Regional Centers allow investors to participate in indirect job creation, typically through economic impact analysis.

I-526

Form I-526, officially called the “Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor,” is the initial application submitted by an EB-5 investor to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It demonstrates the investor’s intention to make a qualifying investment and create the required jobs. If it is approved investors receive a conditional permanent residency card which is a 2 year conditional green card.