Chinese Investors for EB-5 Visa: Definition, Requirements, and Process

The EB-5 Visa (EB-5 签证) for Chinese investors is an immigrant visa granted to qualified Chinese investors seeking to obtain permanent residence (green card) in the United States. Permanent residence (green card) gives Chinese investors and their dependents the right to stay and work in the United States indefinitely. The requirements of the EB-5 Visa (EB-5 签证) for Chinese investors include a minimum investment, source of funds, and the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for Americans. The minimum investment of $800,000 (¥5,539,760) is part of the cost and processing of an EB5 Visa for Chinese investors.

China ranks as the 2nd country with the most EB5 Visa issuances in fiscal year 2024 (32.93% of the total) based on the January 2024 data from the U.S. Department of State. The EB-5 Visa for Chinese investors includes the benefits of a US education for their children, the chance to obtain a permanent residence (green card), and broader financial prospects in the US.

EB5 BRICS has helped Chinese investors achieve US Permanent Residency through investment immigration since 2014. We are here to guide and support you through every step of the EB-5 Visa investment and immigration process. Contact our team to get personalized advice on starting USA investment immigration for you and your family. 

What is EB-5 Visa for Chinese Investors?

The EB-5 Visa (EB-5 签证) for Chinese investors is an immigrant investment visa that allows eligible Chinese investors to obtain permanent residence (green card) in the United States. Permanent residence (green card) grants a Chinese investor with EB-5 Visa (EB-5 签证) a lawful permanent stay in the US. The EB5 Visa for Chinese investors requires a minimum investment in a US business that can create at least 10 full-time employment for American citizens.

What are the Benefits of EB-5 Visa for Chinese Investors?

These are the top benefits of the EB-5 Visa for Chinese investors.

• Permanent residence and US citizenship. Permanent residence allows the Chinese investors, and their dependents (spouses and children under 21 years) to live and work permanently in the US. A US citizenship gives Chinese investors and their dependents the right to vote and a U.S. passport. The ability to travel to 186 countries visa-free with a U.S. passport is a top motivator for EB-5 Visa Chinese investors.
• Quality of education. Chinese investors aim to send their children abroad for better education opportunities. The US is a popular choice for overseas education for children of Chinese investors with renowned universities such as the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Los Angeles.
• Financial stability. Another significant driving force for Chinese investors is the economy. Concerns about an economic slowdown and a push for greater taxes on personal income are encouraging Chinese investors to move their capital elsewhere. EB5 Visa Chinese investors continually look for lucrative investment possibilities in real estate, stocks, and businesses in the United States to diversify and safeguard their assets.

What are the Risks of EB-5 Visa for Chinese Investors?

EB-5 Visa Chinese investors should take note of the risks involved in an EB5 Visa application.

• Visa retrogression. The visa bulletin released by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) shows retrogression for EB-5 Visa Chinese investors. Retrogression means that EB5 Visa Chinese investors with priority dates prior to the cut-off dates in the visa bulletin will be pushed back. Chinese investors will not have their visa interviews scheduled, their immigrant visas approved, or their Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) adjudicated until their priority dates become current based on the visa bulletin.
• Children’s eligibility. One impact of the backlog for EB5 Visa Chinese investors is on their children’s eligibility. The children of Chinese investors who turn 21 during the application are no longer eligible as dependents of the EB5 Visa.
• Investment risks. The United States of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires the EB-5 Visa Chinese investor to make an “at risk” investment to qualify. EB5 Visa Chinese investors should carefully review their investment options and conduct due diligence to minimize losses. One example of an EB-5 Visa investment dispute is the case of Ying Yao Vs. Carillon Tower/Chicago LP. The federal class action lawsuit was filed on February 2, 2019 in the United States District Court. The causes of action are securities fraud, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty.

How Long Does it Take to Process an EB 5 Visa for Chinese Investors?

The monthly visa bulletin released by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) shows retrogression of the EB-5 Visa for Chinese investors. The Visa Bulletin only reflects tentative dates when a green card becomes available to the EB-5 Visa Chinese investor.

The processing time for Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor (Form I-526) is calculated separately by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor (Form I-526) initiates the Chinese investor’s EB-5 Visa application.

The estimated processing time for an EB5 Visa for Chinese investors is between 50 to 75.5 months according to a 2021 U.S. Congress report on the EB-5 program.

What are the Requirements for an EB-5 Visa for Chinese Investors?

These are the main requirements for an EB-5 Visa for Chinese investors.

• Investment amount. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires an “at risk” investment for a new US business from a Chinese investor filing an EB-5 Visa.
  • Minimum investment is $800,000 (¥5,539,760) for a Targeted Employment Area (region of high unemployment rates).
  • Minimum investment is $1,050,000 (¥7,270,305) 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.

Our guide on EB5 Visa Requirements gives you further information on the necessities of filing an EB-5 Visa application.

How Much Does an EB-5 Visa Cost for Chinese Investors?

These are the standard costs of filing an EB-5 Visa for Chinese investors.

• EB5 minimum investment
  • $800,000 (¥5,539,760) for a Targeted Employment Area
  • $1, 050,000 (¥7,270,305) for a non-Targeted Employment Area
• Form I-526- $3,675 (¥25,446.07)
• Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485)- $1,140 (¥7,893.47)
• Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status (Form I-829)- $3,750 (¥25,965.37)

Our page on EB 5 Visa Cost gives you complete information to get started on your EB5 Visa application.

Is EB-5 Visa Popular to Chinese Investors?

Yes, the EB-5 Visa remains popular for Chinese investors. China consistently ranks as the top country with the most EB-5 Visa applications and issuances since 2015 according to Reports of the Visa Office from the U.S. DOS. The top reasons for EB-5 Visa application for Chinese investors include a US education for their children, the chance to secure a green card, and wider financial opportunities in the US.

What Other Countries can Invest in the EB-5 Visa Program?

About 80% of EB5 investors come from China, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom according to Investment Migration Insider. Below are the top countries that apply for the EB-5 Visa.

• India Investors for EB-5 Visa
• Vietnam Investors for EB-5 Visa
• Taiwan Investors for EB-5 Visa
• Brazil Investors for EB-5 Visa
• Nigeria Investors for EB-5 Visa
• South Korea Investors for EB-5 Visa
• The United Kingdom Investors for EB-5 Visa

Can EB-5 Visa Attorney Speed Up the Process of EB-5 Visa?

Yes, an EB-5 Visa attorney can speed up the process of EB-5 Visa for Chinese investors. An EB5 Visa attorney guides you through the whole process of EB-5 Visa application. An EB-5 Visa attorney helps you by ensuring that you meet the eligibility for the EB5 Visa. An EB-5 Visa attorney helps you complete the documentation required to support your application. Hiring an experienced EB5 Visa Attorney minimizes delays in your EB5 Visa application due to unnecessary errors.