The EB-5 Investor Visa in Bangalore is a U.S. immigration program for foreign nationals who invest in the American economy. It offers permanent residency (Green Card) to investors, their spouses, and unmarried children under 21. To qualify, applicants must invest a minimum of $800,000 in a government-approved project and create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
This visa is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to obtain a U.S. Green Card. It does not require sponsorship from an employer or family member.
More Indian investors, especially from cities like Bangalore, are using the EB-5 program to secure a future in the U.S. Their reasons include access to quality education, business freedom, and long-term family security.
Gehis Immigration and International Legal Services in Bangalore offers professional guidance for the EB-5 process. Our team ensures investors meet legal requirements and choose the right investment projects.
What is the EB-5 Investor Visa?
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is a U.S. immigration initiative established by Congress in 1990. Its primary purpose is to stimulate the U.S. economy by attracting foreign capital and creating American jobs. Administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the program allows eligible foreign investors to obtain lawful permanent residence, commonly known as a Green Card, in exchange for making a qualifying invepstment in a U.S. commercial enterprise.
To be eligible, the investor must make a minimum investment of $1,050,000 in a new business or $800,000 if the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). A TEA is either a rural area or a location with high unemployment, as designated by USCIS. The financial requirement is that the investment result in the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers within two years.
The EB-5 program offers significant advantages for individuals and families who are looking for more than just a visa. Compared to other visa categories, which often involve long wait times or sponsorship from employers or family members, it provides one of the most straightforward and flexible paths to permanent residency in the U.S.
Key Benefits of the EB-5 Investor Visa:
- The EB-5 visa grants Green Cards not only to the investor but also to their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21. This allows the entire family to relocate to the U.S. together and build a future there.
- Unlike employment-based or family-based visas, the EB-5 process does not require sponsorship from a U.S. employer or relative. The applicant’s qualification is based solely on their investment and ability to meet USCIS requirements.
- Once granted permanent residency, the investor and their family are not restricted to any location or employer. They can live in any U.S. state, work for any company, or start a business. Depending on the state, children can attend public schools or pursue higher education with in-state tuition benefits.
- After five years of permanent residence, EB-5 investors may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, provided they meet all naturalization requirements, including physical presence, good moral character, and knowledge of English and U.S. civics.
- EB-5 investors gain a foothold in the world’s largest and most stable economy. This can open doors to long-term business growth, property investment, and a secure environment for their families.
The EB-5 visa is not just a legal route to immigration, it is a strategic move for investors who want to combine global mobility with long-term financial and personal stability. For investors in Bangalore and across India, the program represents a rare opportunity to build a future in the United States while contributing to the growth of the U.S. economy.
What Are EB-5 Investment Requirements?
To qualify for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, applicants must meet specific investment and job creation criteria set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These requirements ensure that the investor’s capital contributes meaningfully to the U.S. economy and workforce.
1. Minimum Investment Thresholds
The amount an investor must contribute depends on the location of the investment project:
- $800,000 Investment: This reduced amount applies when the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). TEAs include rural areas and locations with high unemployment rates, as designated by USCIS. These regions are prioritized for economic development and job growth.
- $1,050,000 Investment: If the project is located outside a TEA, the investor must invest a minimum of $1,050,000. These are typically urban or economically strong areas that do not qualify for the reduced threshold.
The investment must be made in a for-profit commercial enterprise, which can include a new business or a troubled existing business undergoing restructuring or expansion.
2. Job Creation Requirement
One of the core elements of the EB-5 program is the job creation mandate. Each EB-5 investment must lead to the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers. These jobs must be:
- Permanent positions,
- At least 35 hours per week,
- Created within two years of the investor’s admission to the U.S. as a conditional permanent resident.
The investor must provide credible documentation and a business plan that shows how the jobs will be created and maintained.
3. Direct vs. Regional Center Investments
Investors have two options when choosing how to structure their investment:
- Direct Investment: In this model, the investor establishes or joins a business and takes an active role in its management. The company must directly hire 10 U.S. workers. This option offers more control but comes with greater responsibility and risk.
- Regional Center Investment: A Regional Center is a USCIS-approved economic unit that pools EB-5 capital for larger development projects. With this option, job creation can be calculated more broadly, including indirect and induced jobs, through economic modeling. Most EB-5 investors choose this route because it is more passive, less hands-on, and often has a lower risk profile.
What is The Step-by-Step EB-5 Application Process?
The EB-5 Investor Visa is a structured immigration process that requires a clear understanding of both U.S. immigration law and investment protocols.
Each step of the application process is significant and involves legal, financial, and immigration-related documentation. For Indian investors based in Bangalore, managing this process with legal support such as that offered by Gehis Immigration and International Legal Services can ensure compliance and improve the chances of success.
Below is the detailed breakdown of each stage:
Initial Consultation and Eligibility Assessment
The first step in the EB-5 journey is a thorough consultation with an experienced immigration attorney. This is where the groundwork is laid:
- A legal professional evaluates the investor’s financial background, source of funds, and immigration goals.
- This stage ensures the investor meets USCIS criteria such as having lawfully earned funds, a clean immigration record, and no inadmissibility grounds under U.S. law.
- The attorney provides personalized guidance based on whether the investor plans to proceed through a Regional Center or Direct Investment model.
For Bangalore-based clients, Gehis’ team conducts in-depth reviews to help investors avoid early-stage issues and confidently enter the U.S. immigration framework.
- Selecting a Qualified EB-5 Project
After confirming eligibility, the investor must identify a suitable EB-5 investment project. This is a critical decision, as the success of the visa process and the ability to remove conditions later hinge on this choice.
- Most investors choose projects affiliated with USCIS-designated Regional Centers, which manage large-scale commercial developments.
- These projects must demonstrate the ability to meet the job creation requirement and the investor’s funds must be used in a way that directly or indirectly contributes to the U.S. economy.
- Legal and financial advisors help review project documentation, economic reports, business plans, and risk disclosures.
In Bangalore, Gehis Immigration and International Legal Services legal advisors offer strategic insights into both U.S.-based and India-connected Regional Center projects, helping clients make well-informed decisions.
- Making the Investment
Once a project is selected, the investor must commit funds:
- The minimum investment is $800,000 for TEA projects or $1,050,000 for non-TEA projects.
- The funds must be lawfully sourced and fully traceable. This can include savings, inheritance, property sales, business profits, or gifts.
- Documentation such as bank records, tax returns, loan agreements, and real estate transactions must be meticulously organized and submitted.
The funds are usually deposited into a secure escrow account pending the outcome of the I-526E petition. We assist in compiling and verifying source-of-fund documents, where many EB-5 applications face scrutiny.
- Filing Petition by Regional Center Investor
The petition is the formal application submitted to USCIS to prove:
- The investment has been made,
- The investor is eligible under EB-5 guidelines,
- The selected project will create the required number of jobs.
This petition must include:
- Detailed project documentation (from the Regional Center),
- Source and path of funds evidence,
- A clear statement of the investor’s intent to engage in the enterprise and reside in the U.S.
5. Conditional Green Card Issuance
If the petition is approved, the investor and their eligible family members (spouse and unmarried children under 21) can apply for the Conditional Green Card:
- If the investor is in the U.S., they file Form I-485 to adjust their status.
- If the investor is outside the U.S., they go through consular processing at a U.S. Embassy (such as in Mumbai).
Once issued, the Conditional Green Card is valid for two years, during which the investor and family can:
- Live, work, or study anywhere in the U.S.,
- Begin integrating into American life and business culture.
- Filing Form I-829 to Remove Conditions
Within the 90-day window before the end of the two-year conditional period, the investor must file Form I-829. This petition is the final step and must show:
- The investment was sustained (i.e., funds remained invested),
- The required 10 full-time U.S. jobs were created or will be created imminently,
- The investor complied with all EB-5 requirements.
Final Thoughts
The EB-5 Investor Visa offers more than just a route to U.S. permanent residency. For many Indian investors, especially those based in Bangalore, it serves as a bridge to new opportunities, freedom, and long-term growth in the United States. By investing in the U.S. economy and creating jobs, investors are not only contributing to the country’s economic development but also securing a future of greater personal and financial freedom for themselves and their families.
Through the EB-5 program, investors can enjoy:
- Permanent U.S. residency, allowing for a better quality of life, access to world-class healthcare and education, and opportunities to live and work anywhere in the U.S.
- A pathway to citizenship after five years of permanent residency, providing the ultimate freedom to call the U.S. home.
- Global mobility and the ability to easily travel to and from the U.S. without the constraints of a visa.
As the number of Indian investors seeking U.S. residency grows, Gehis Immigration and International Legal Services‘ role becomes even more crucial. With a deep understanding of U.S. immigration law and vast experience helping clients in the EB-5 process, Gehis Immigration and International Legal Services stands as a trusted partner for Indian investors looking to seize the opportunities that the EB-5 program offers.
Our team provides invaluable guidance at every step, ensuring that your investment, documentation, and petitions meet all legal requirements for a smooth and successful transition to U.S. residency.
