EB-5 Visa Glossary of Terms | EB5Visa.io

Glossary of EB-5 Terms

Demystifying the language of EB-5. Your go-to resource for clear definitions of key terms and acronyms.

A

Accredited Investor
A term defined by U.S. securities law for an individual with a specific net worth or income level. EB-5 investors must typically qualify as accredited investors to participate in Regional Center projects.
At-Risk
A legal requirement that the investor's capital must be subject to potential loss for the investment to be considered valid for EB-5 purposes. Guaranteed returns or buy-back agreements are not permitted.

I

I-526E Petition
The initial petition filed by an EB-5 investor who is investing through a Regional Center. This form demonstrates that the investor has invested (or is actively in the process of investing) the required capital in a qualifying project and that the funds were lawfully sourced.
I-829 Petition
The final petition filed by the investor within the 90-day period before their two-year conditional Green Card expires. This form proves that the investor sustained their investment and that the project created the required 10 full-time jobs.

R

Regional Center
A public or private economic entity designated by USCIS to sponsor EB-5 investment projects. Investing through a Regional Center allows for the counting of both direct and indirect jobs, which is the primary reason most investors choose this path.

T

Targeted Employment Area (TEA)
An area that, at the time of investment, is either a rural area or an area experiencing high unemployment (at least 150% of the national average). Investments in TEAs qualify for the lower investment threshold of $800,000.

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