9 Countries with the Highest EB-5 Visa ApplicationsThe top 9 countries with the highest EB-5 Visa applications are China, India, Mexico, Taiwan, Brazil, Nigeria, Vietnam, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. The EB-5 Visa enables a foreign investor to acquire permanent resident status in the United States. The EB5 Visa requires a minimum investment that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. citizens. 

China, India, Vietnam, South Korea, and Brazil are the top 5 countries that received the most EB 5 Visas in FY 2019 according to the Congressional Research Service. All 9 countries have “current” status in their EB-5 applications except China and India. Investors from South Korea and Vietnam apply for EB5 Visa to relocate to the U.S. and be with their immigrant relatives. The United Kingdom, Taiwan, and Nigeria investors are drawn to expand their business in the US without sponsorship under the EB-5 Visa. Political and economic instability drive Brazil and Mexico investors to apply for EB5 Visa to gain permanent residence in the U.S. with their dependents. 

1. China Investors for EB-5 Visa

China investors for EB-5 Visa are the top EB5 investors in FY 2019. China investors for EB5 Visa made up 46% of the total EB5 Visas released in FY 2019. There were 4,327 EB-5 Visas issued to China investors in FY 2019 according to the Report of the Visa Office of the U.S. Department of State (DOS). The October 2022 Visa Bulletin from the U.S. Department of State (DOS) shows retrogression (backlog) for China investors for EB-5 Visa. There were only 975 EB5 Visas released to China investors in FY 2021.

The EB-5 Visa remains popular for China investors even with a decline of EB-5 Visas issued from 2017 (75%) to 2020 (46.9%) according to Reports of the Visa Office from the U.S. DOS. China EB-5 Visa investors are able to obtain permanent residence in the U.S. with their dependent spouses and children. The minor children of China EB5 investors can study in the top educational institutions in the U.S. as permanent residents. Another driving force for EB5 Visa applications from China investors is the wider financial opportunities in the US. Concerns about an economic slowdown and a push for greater taxes on personal income are encouraging China investors to move their capital elsewhere. 

The requirements for China EB5 Visa are listed below.

  • Investment amount. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires an “at risk” investment for a new US business from a China investor filing an EB-5 Visa. 
    • The minimum investment is $800,000 (¥5,539,760 Chinese Yuan) for a Targeted Employment Area (region with high unemployment rates or rural areas). 
    • Minimum investment is $1,050,000 (¥7,270,305 Chinese Yuan) for a non-Targeted Employment Area. 
  • Source of funds. The investment can come in the form of the following.
    • Salaries/wages
    • Business profits
    • Gifts from an individual
    • Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
    • Inheritance 
  • Job creation. The investment should generate at least 10 full-time jobs for Americans.

2. India Investors for EB-5 Visa

India investors for EB-5 Visa ranked second in the top nationalities that received EB5 Visas in FY 2019. India investors for EB5 Visa made up 8% of the total EB5 Visas issued in FY 2019. The total EB-5 Visas issued to India investors was 760 according to the Congressional Research Service EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa December 2021 report. India investors for EB5 Visa are facing retrogression (backlog) like China as per the October 2022 Visa Bulletin from the U.S. DOS. There were only 47 EB-5 Visas issued to India investors in FY 2021 according to the U.S. DOS Report of the Visa Office FY 2021.  

India investors continue to apply for the EB5 Visa even with the visa retrogression for India. India investors want to gain a second passport and relocate their families to the U.S. Indian investors who are already in the U.S. on different visas apply for EB-5 to become permanent residents faster. 

The requirements for India EB5 Visa are listed below.

  • Investment amount. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires an “at risk” investment for a new US business from an India investor filing an EB-5 Visa. 
    • The minimum investment is $800,000 (₹64,989,120 Indian Rupees) for a Targeted Employment Area (region with high unemployment rates or rural areas). 
    • Minimum investment is $1,050,000 (₹85,298,220 Indian Rupees) for a non-Targeted Employment Area. 
  • Source of funds. The investment can come in the form of the following.
    • Salaries/wages
    • Business profits
    • Gifts from an individual
    • Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
    • Inheritance 
  • Job creation. The investment should generate at least 10 full-time jobs for Americans.
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3. Mexico Investors for EB-5 Visa

Mexico investors for EB-5 Visa are 9th among the top countries that received EB5 Visas in FY 2019. Mexico investors for EB-5 Visa made up 1% (138 visas) of the total EB5 Visas issued in FY 2019 according to the Congressional Research Service EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa December 2021 report. There were 3 EB-5 Visas issued to Mexico investors in the FY 2021 according to the U.S. DOS-Bureau of Consular Affairs Report of the Visa Office 2021. 

Mexico investors apply for EB5 Visa because of the changing political climate in their home country. Mexico investors can set up their businesses and send their children to study in the US with the EB-5 Visa. The application for EB-5 Visa for Mexico investors is “current” according to the October 2022 Visa Bulletin from the U.S. DOS.

The requirements for Mexico EB5 Visa are listed below.

  • Investment amount. The USCIS requires an “at risk” investment to qualify for an EB5 Visa for Mexican investors. 
    • The minimum investment is $800,000 (Mex$15,841,632 Mexican Pesos) for a Targeted Employment Area (region with high unemployment rates or rural areas). 
    • Minimum investment is $1,050,000 (Mex$20,792,142 Mexican Pesos) for a non-Targeted Employment Area. 
  • Source of funds. The investment can be in the form of the following.
    • Salaries/wages
    • Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
    • Business profits
    • Inheritance 
    • Gifts from an individual
  • Job creation. The investment should generate a minimum of 10 full-time American employees. 

4. Taiwan Investors for EB-5 Visa

Taiwan investors for EB-5 Visa ranked 6th in the top countries that received EB5 Visas in FY 2019. Taiwan investors for EB-5 Visa made up 5% (432 visas) of the total EB5 Visas issued in FY 2019 according to the Congressional Research Service EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa December 2021 report. There were 94 EB-5 Visas issued to Taiwan investors in FY 2021 according to the U.S. DOS Report of the Visa Office 2021. 

Taiwan investors apply for EB5 Visa because of its investment requirements. The EB-5 Visa for Taiwan investors does not have education, language, or labor certification requirements. Taiwan investors for EB5 Visa do not face retrogression according to the October 2022 Visa Bulletin from the U.S. DOS.

The requirements for Taiwan EB5 Visa are listed below.

  • Investment amount. The minimum investment by the Taiwan investor for the EB5 Visa should be “at risk” according to the USCIS. 
    • The minimum investment is $800,000 (NT$24,873,840 New Taiwan Dollar) for a Targeted Employment Area (region with high unemployment rates or rural areas). 
    • Minimum investment is $1,050,000 (NT$32,656,050 New Taiwan Dollar) for a non-Targeted Employment Area. 
  • Source of funds. The minimum investment can come in the form of the following.
    • Business profits
    • Salaries/wages
    • Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
    • Gifts from an individual
    • Inheritance 
  • Job creation. The US business should generate at least 10 full-time jobs for Americans.

5. Brazil Investors for EB-5 Visa

Brazil investors for EB-5 Visa ranked 5th in the list of top EB5 investors in FY 2019. Brazil investors for EB5 Visa made up 5% of the total EB5 Visas issued in FY 2019. Brazil investors were issued 496 EB-5 Visas in FY 2019 according to the Congressional Research Service EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa December 2021 report. There were a total of 5 EB-5 Visa for Brazil investors issued in FY 2021 according to the U.S. DOS Report of the Visa Office 2021.

Brazil investors are looking for ways to relocate abroad because of their country’s political unrest, economic instability, and high crime rates. Brazil investors are familiar with the US economy and have strong business ties in the state of Florida. Brazil investors for EB5 Visa do not face retrogression according to the October 2022 Visa Bulletin from the U.S. DOS.

The requirements for Brazil EB5 Visa are listed below.

  • Investment amount. The minimum investment for an EB-5 Visa for Brazil investors should be “at risk” according to the USCIS. 
    • The minimum investment is $800,000 (R$4,131,360 Brazilian Reals) for a Targeted Employment Area (region with high unemployment rates or rural areas). 
    • Minimum investment is $1,050,000 (R$5,422,410 Brazilian Reals) for a non-Targeted Employment Area. 
  • Source of funds. The EB5 investment can come in any of the following.
    • Inheritance 
    • Business profits
    • Salaries/wages
    • Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
    • Gifts from an individual
  • Job creation. The US business investment should create a minimum of 10 full-time jobs for Americans.

6. Nigeria Investors for EB-5 Visa

Nigeria investors for EB-5 Visa are an emerging EB5 market. There was a 77% increase in applications from Nigerian investors for EB-5 Visa between quarter 1 and quarter 3 of FY 2019 according to a report by Invest In the USA (IIUSA). A total of 3 EB-5 Visa for Nigeria investors were issued in FY 2021 according to the U.S. DOS Report of the Visa Office 2021. 

Nigeria investors for EB-5 Visa are able to expand their businesses in the US without sponsorship-related restrictions. The application of Nigeria investors for EB-5 Visa does not face any backlog according to the October 2022 Visa Bulletin from the U.S. DOS.

The requirements for Nigeria EB5 Visa are listed below.

  • Investment amount. The “at risk” investment for the EB5 Visa for Nigeria investors can be any of these two. 
    • The minimum investment is $800,000 (₦342,648,000 Nigerian Naira) for a Targeted Employment Area (region with high unemployment rates and rural areas). 
    • Minimum investment is $1,050,000  (₦449,725,500 Nigerian Naira) for a non-Targeted Employment Area. 
  • Source of funds. Nigeria investors can use any of the following to invest.
    • Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
    • Salaries/wages
    • Gifts from an individual
    • Inheritance 
    • Business profits
  • Job creation. The EB5 Visa for Nigerian investors requires the creation of 10 full-time American employees.

7. Vietnam Investors for EB-5 Visa

Vietnam investors for EB-5 Visa ranked 3rd in the top 10 countries that received the most EB-5 Visas in FY 2019. Vietnam investors for EB5 Visa constituted 8% of the total EB-5 Visas issued in FY 2019. A total of 716 EB5 Visa for Vietnam investors were issued in FY 2019 according to the Congressional Research Service EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa December 2021 report. A total of 694 EB5 Visas for Vietnam investors were issued according to the U.S. DOS Report of the Visa Office 2021.

Most Vietnam investors are looking to relocate to the US to be with their immigrant relatives in the US. Vietnam investors for EB-5 Visa want their children to get a US education to avoid high costs from private schools in Vietnam. The application for EB5 Visa for Vietnam investors is on “current” status according to the October 2022 Visa Bulletin from the U.S. DOS.

The requirements for Vietnam EB5 Visa are listed below.

  • Investment amount. The “at risk” investment for the EB5 Visa for Vietnamese investors can be any of these two. 
    • The minimum investment is $800,000 (₫18,936,000,000 Vietnamese Dong) for a Targeted Employment Area (region with high unemployment rates and rural areas). 
    • The investment is $1,050,000  (₫24,858,500,000 Vietnamese Dong) for a non-Targeted Employment Area. 
  • Source of funds. Vietnam investors can use any of the following to invest.
    • Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
    • Salaries/wages
    • Gifts from an individual
    • Inheritance 
    • Business profits
  • Job creation. The EB5 Visa for Vietnam investors requires the creation of 10 full-time American employees.

8. South Korea Investors for EB-5 Visa

South Korea investors for EB-5 Visa ranked 4th in the top countries that received the most EB5 Visas in FY 2019. South Korean investors for EB5 Visa made up 7% of the total EB-5 Visas issued in FY 2019. There were 695 EB5 Visas for South Korea investors released in FY 2019 according to the Congressional Research Service EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa December 2021 report. A total of 43 South Korea investors received EB-5 Visas according to the U.S. DOS Report of the Visa Office 2021. The October 2022 Visa Bulletin of the U.S. DOS shows a “current” status on EB-5 applications for South Korea investors.

South Koreans made up 2.4% of the total U.S. immigrant population in 2017 according to the Migration Policy Institute. South Korean investors want to relocate to the U.S. to reestablish ties with their immigrant relatives. South Korea is one of the top 5 countries that make up the largest EB-5 market along with China and India. South Korean investors invested over $5 billion in US real estate in 2020 according to Real Capital Analytics.

 The requirements for South Korea EB5 Visa are listed below.

  • Investment amount. The “at risk” investment for the EB5 Visa for South Korean investors can be any of these two. 
    • The minimum investment is $800,000 (₩1,108,792,000 South Korean Won) for a Targeted Employment Area (region with high unemployment rates and rural areas). 
    • The investment is $1,050,000  (₩1,455,289,500 South Korean Won) for a non-Targeted Employment Area. 
  • Source of funds. South Korea investors can use any of the following to invest.
    • Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
    • Salaries/wages
    • Gifts from an individual
    • Inheritance 
    • Business profits
  • Job creation. The EB5 Visa for South Korea investors requires the creation of 10 full-time American employees.

9. The United Kingdom Investors for EB-5 Visa

The United Kingdom investors for EB-5 Visa ranked 3rd in the top countries that received the most EB5 Visas in FY 2009. The United Kingdom investors for EB5 Visa had 8% of the total EB-5 Visas released in FY 2009. The total EB-5 Visa for United Kingdom investors was 324 in FY 2009 according to the Congressional Research Service EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa December 2021 report. The total EB-5 Visas issued to U.K. investors in FY 2021 was 3 according to the U.S. DOS Report of the Visa Office 2021. 

United Kingdom investors for EB-5 Visa are able to expand their businesses in the US without the need for sponsorship. The application for United Kingdom investors for EB5 Visa is “current” according to the October 2022 Visa Bulletin of the U.S. DOS

The requirements for The United Kingdom EB5 Visa are listed below.

  • Investment amount. The “at risk” investment for the EB5 Visa for UK investors can be any of these two. 
    • The minimum investment is $800,000 (£700,464.08 UK Pound sterling) for a Targeted Employment Area (region with high unemployment rates and rural areas). 
    • The investment is $1,050,000 (£919,359.10 UK Pound sterling) for a non-Targeted Employment Area. 
  • Source of funds. UK investors can use any of the following to invest.
    • Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
    • Salaries/wages
    • Gifts from an individual
    • Inheritance 
    • Business profits
  • Job creation. The EB5 Visa for United Kingdom investors requires the creation of 10 full-time American employees.

What are the Requirements for an EB-5 Visa?

The EB-5 Visa has three basic requirements that must be met by any immigrant investor. These are: firstly, the EB 5 investment fund; secondly, the origin of funds; and thirdly, job creation. 

These are the EB 5 Visa Requirements set by the USCIS.

  1. Capital investment can be any of the following.
    1. $800,000 for targeted employment areas.
    2. $1.05M for non-targeted employment areas.
  2. Funding source. Source of funds is the origin of the EB5 funds which can be salaries and wages, gifts, inheritances, loans, bank statements, business, real estate assets, and stocks.
  3. Employment creation. The new business must produce 10 full-time jobs for qualified American citizens.

How Many EB5 Visas can the United States Grant Each Year?

The EB-5 Visa is issued based on a quota system. The government of the United States allows 10,000 EB 5 Visas annually to immigrant investors and their families. There were nearly 100,000 foreign investors who obtained permanent residence in the United States via the EB-5 Program from 2012 to 2022 according to “The United States EB-5 Program” by Investment Migration Insider. 

See more for EB-5 Visa Statistics.

How Much Does an EB-5 Visa Cost?

The EB 5 Visa requires a minimum fund of $800,000, which should be invested in a targeted unemployment area. The EB-5 visa cost includes other fees when filing the application and petition forms. The forms and fees needed in the EB5 process are listed below.

  1. Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor (Form I-526) fee: $3,675
  2. Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) fee: $1,140
  3. Permanent residency & Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status (Form I-829) fee: $3,750
  4. Immigration lawyer’s fee

Read our page on EB5 Visa Cost for complete information on all fees in an EB-5 application. 

What Are the Benefits of the EB-5 Visa for Investors?

Investors apply for the EB-5 Visa because of the many benefits in terms of permanent residence, education, work, and investment in the US. Here are the primary Advantages of an EB-5 Visa and their definitions.

  1. Facilitates lawful status in the U.S. The EB 5 Visa enables investors, their spouses, and their children to legally reside, work, and study in the United States.
  2. Requires NO visa sponsorship. An investor seeking an EB-5 Visa essentially acts as his own sponsor. There are no other restrictions beyond investing in an American business. There is no need to be sponsored by an American citizen or an organization.
  3. Provides a quicker route to permanent residency and citizenship. The EB5 Visa can expedite the road to permanent residency more quickly than other visas and green cards. After two years, the initial conditions of the visa can be abolished. Individuals with an EB 5 visa are eligible for citizenship within five years of obtaining permanent residence status.
  4. Leads to an investment return in monetary terms. The appropriate EB-5 investment can result in profits and additional revenue for the investor. The initial investment can yield returns beyond U.S. citizenship.
  5. Live and work freely anywhere in the U.S. The EB5 Visa lets the investor and their family live and work anywhere in the U.S. Other forms of visa have significantly more stringent location criteria to which visa holders must adhere or lose their status.
  6. Provides opportunities for education and work for children. The EB 5 investment visa allows foreign investors’ children to enroll and gain access to the same schools as American citizens. Children of EB 5 investors can access public and private high schools, undergraduate, and graduate institutions (including law school or medical school). Children of EB5 investors can have access to the same professional options as any other child after completing their US education.

Is an Immigration Lawyer needed in applying for an EB-5 Visa? 

Yes, you need an immigration lawyer (attorney) to apply for the EB 5 investor visa. The EB-5 Visa has numerous regulations and documentation requirements. An immigration lawyer (attorney) assists in ensuring EB5 Visa standards are satisfied and the documentation is filed on time. An Immigration Attorney helps prevent any errors that might push your application back by months or years.