From EB-5 to U.S. Citizenship: A 5-Year Roadmap with Pitfalls to Avoid

Admin
Jul 10
2 min read

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers more than a green card—it provides a structured pathway to becoming a U.S. citizen. But this multi-year journey involves several steps, key decisions, and potential pitfalls. Here’s your comprehensive 5-year roadmap from investment to naturalization.

Year 1: The Investment & I-526E Petition

Your EB-5 journey begins by investing $800,000 in a USCIS-designated regional center project like those offered by Makaan Regional Center. Alongside the investment, you’ll file Form I-526E to demonstrate lawful source of funds and job creation intent. The petition’s approval timeline varies, but many investors now benefit from concurrent filing, allowing faster work and travel authorization.

Year 2-3: Conditional Green Card Status

Once approved, you receive a conditional green card valid for 2 years. You must live in the U.S. and meet physical presence requirements. During this period, your investment must remain “at risk” and the regional center must fulfill its job creation requirements.

Year 4: Filing the I-829 Petition

Before your conditional green card expires, you’ll file Form I-829 to remove conditions. This is a crucial step—failure to file or lack of supporting evidence can result in the loss of your green card. Our team provides investors with ready-made documentation, job reports, and legal coordination to ensure a smooth I-829 filing.

Year 5+: U.S. Citizenship Eligibility

Five years from the date you received your initial green card (including the 2 conditional years), you may apply for naturalization—if you’ve met continuous residence and physical presence requirements. You’ll also need to pass a civics test and interview.