The United States continues to attract foreign investors seeking residency through various investor visa programs. With significant changes and proposed reforms in 2025, understanding the current landscape of U.S. investor visas is crucial for prospective applicants. This comprehensive guide examines the updated rules, processing timelines, and eligibility requirements for the primary investor visa programs available in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- The EB-5 program currently requires a minimum investment of $1,050,000 or $800,000 for Targeted Employment Areas
- President Trump announced plans to replace the EB-5 program with a new “Gold Card” visa requiring a $5 million investment
- E-2 visa processing fees are $315 for 2025
- Indian and Chinese nationals remain current under EB-5 “set aside” categories as of May 2025
Overview of U.S. Investor Visa Programs
The United States offers several pathways for foreign investors to obtain residency through investment. The two primary programs are:
- EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program – Leading to permanent residency (green card)
- E-2 Treaty Investor Visa – Temporary visa for treaty country nationals
Each program serves different investor profiles and offers distinct benefits and requirements.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program: 2025 Updates
Program Background
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program was created by Congress in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, which created new requirements for the EB-5 immigrant visa category and the Regional Center Program.
Investment Requirements
The EB-5 program offers two investment tiers:
Standard Investment: $1,050,000 minimum investment requirement
Targeted Employment Area (TEA) Investment: $800,000 investment minimum for qualifying infrastructure projects or Targeted Employment Areas (rural areas or areas with high unemployment)
Set-Aside Categories
The 2022 EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act reserved 32% of visas for investments in rural areas (20%), high-unemployment areas (10%), and infrastructure projects (2%). These set-aside categories offer significant advantages, particularly for applicants from historically backlogged countries.
Job Creation Requirements
The USCIS requires that EB-5 investments result in the creation of 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. These jobs must be created within the two year period after the investor has received their conditional permanent residency.
For regional center investments, up to 90% of the job creation requirement for regional center investors may be met using indirect jobs.
Processing Times and Timelines
Current EB-5 processing times vary significantly:
- Form I-526 Petition: Currently between 71.1 months
- Form I-829 (Condition Removal): Processing time is about 22 to 48.5 months
- Adjustment of Status: For applicants within the U.S., the processing time takes about six to eight months
Visa Bulletin Updates
Following the May 2025 Visa Bulletin release, the US Department of State has confirmed that all nationalities, including India- and China-born nationals, will remain “current” through certain expedited regional center projects. This represents a significant advantage for investors from historically backlogged countries.
Program Costs
The total cost structure for EB-5 applications includes:
- USCIS Filing Fees: Between $21,130 and $22,225, depending on where the applicant is filing from
- Regional Center Administrative Fees: Vary from $50,000 to $70,000
- Required Investment: $800,000 – $1,050,000 depending on project type
Eligible Business Types
All EB-5 investors must invest in a new commercial enterprise that was established after Nov. 29, 1990, or on or before Nov. 29, 1990, that was purchased and restructured or expanded through investment resulting in at least a 40% increase in net worth or number of employees.
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa: 2025 Guidelines
Program Overview
The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows nationals of countries with a qualifying treaty with the United States to enter and work in the US by investing in and managing a business.
Nationality Requirements
The applicant must be a citizen of an E-2 treaty country. This means they must hold a passport issued by a country that has an E-2 treaty with the United States. Currently, there are more than 80 treaty countries.
Investment Requirements
Unlike the EB-5 program, the E-2 visa does not specify a minimum investment amount. However, as a general guide, we recommend the E-2 route to people with a minimum of $100,000 – $200,000 USD to invest. In exceptional cases, USCIS will consider applications with amounts as low as $50,000 USD.
The investment must be:
- Substantial in relation to the total cost of the business
- At risk and committed
- In a real, operating commercial enterprise
Processing and Validity
Qualified treaty investors and employees will be allowed a maximum initial stay of two years. Requests for extension of stay may be granted in increments of up to two years each. There is no limit to the number of extensions an E-2 nonimmigrant may be granted.
Application Costs
In 2025, the processing fee for an E-2 is $315. Additional costs may include reciprocity fees depending on the applicant’s country of origin.
Family Benefits
Treaty investors have the option to include their spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old on their application. Dependent spouses of E-2 visa holders are automatically granted work authorization.
Trump Gold Card Program: Proposed 2025 Initiative
Program Announcement
President Donald Trump announced plans to introduce a “Gold Card” visa program aimed at wealthy foreign investors on February 25, 2025. The initiative would replace the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa, offering a path to U.S. citizenship for those willing to pay $5 million.
Key Features
Investment Amount: The Trump Gold Card requires a $5 million investment from foreign nationals
Tax Benefits: Trump said gold-card holders would not be subject to taxes on their overseas income
Launch Timeline: Lutnick said the gold cards would be available starting in about two weeks (as of February 2025)
Program Status and Legal Questions
Though the administration is determined to press forward with the Trump Card, the program likely cannot be advanced without the approval of Congress. There are constitutional questions about the executive authority for this kind of change to immigration and tax law without express approval from the US Congress.
Registration: The website ‘TrumpCard.gov’ went live on June, 2025. As of the morning of June 17, 67,697 people had signed up for the waitlist.
Comparison to EB-5 Program
Unlike the EB-5 program, the Gold Card does not require job creation. EB-5 allows applicants to gain a Green Card with an investment between $800,000 and $1 million, provided it creates 10 full-time US jobs. In contrast, the Gold Card relies solely on financial contribution.
Regional Centers and Project Selection
Current Regional Center Landscape
As of April 4, 2023, there are 640 USCIS-approved regional centers, and as of March 2023, the “vast majority” of EB-5 visas were “granted through regional center[s]”.
Infrastructure Projects
Regional center investors may choose to invest in a new commercial enterprise engaged in an infrastructure project, which is administered by a governmental entity that contracts with a regional center to receive capital investment as financing for maintaining, improving, or constructing a public works project.
Due Diligence Considerations
When selecting regional center projects, investors should evaluate:
- Project viability and business plan
- Regional center track record
- Job creation methodology
- Exit strategy and capital return timeline
- Legal and regulatory compliance
Country-Specific Considerations
Per-Country Limits
Each country is limited to 7% of the total visas (around 700 per year), and exceeding this limit results in a visa backlog (retrogression), leading to longer wait times, especially for high-demand countries like China, India, and Vietnam.
Current Priority Dates
Indian and Chinese nationals remain “current” through certain expedited regional center projects as of May 2025, providing faster processing for applicants from these traditionally backlogged countries.
Application Process and Documentation
EB-5 Application Steps
- Form I-526E Filing: Submit immigrant petition with supporting documentation
- Conditional Green Card: Upon approval, receive 2-year conditional permanent residence
- Form I-829 Filing: Remove conditions within 90 days of expiration
- Permanent Residence: Receive 10-year green card upon condition removal
Required Documentation
Essential documents for EB-5 applications include:
- Source of funds documentation
- Business plan and job creation analysis
- Regional center offering documents
- Personal background and qualification materials
E-2 Application Process
For applicants outside the U.S., the process for E visa issuance is completed by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in the applicant’s home country and does not require prior approval of a nonimmigrant visa petition (I-129) by USCIS.
Economic Impact and Program Benefits
EB-5 Economic Contributions
A recent IIUSA economic impact study found that from 2016 to 2019 alone, the program generated $184 billion in economic activity and supported 7 million jobs across the country. Each EB-5 investor created 45 American jobs, and every $500,000 invested generated an additional $1.6 million in private capital beyond the required investment.
Future Outlook
The investor visa landscape continues evolving with potential program changes and reforms. Prospective investors should stay informed about regulatory updates and work with qualified immigration professionals to navigate the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can EB-5 investors get their money back?
EB-5 investors can receive their investment capital back after filing Form I-829, provided they comply with legal requirements and the project documents state such a return of capital will occur.
What happens if an EB-5 project fails?
Project failure doesn’t automatically disqualify an investor from obtaining permanent residence if the required investment was made and jobs were created or maintained as required during the conditional period.
Can E-2 visa holders apply for green cards?
Although the E-2 visa itself does not lead directly to a green card, investors can explore alternative immigration pathways, such as EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa by increasing the investment amount to at least $800,000 or $1,050,000.
Are there annual caps on investor visas?
The EB-5 program has an annual limit of approximately 10,000 visas, while the E-2 visa is not subject to annual numerical limits.
—
The U.S. investor visa landscape in 2025 presents both opportunities and uncertainties. While the established EB-5 and E-2 programs continue operating under updated regulations, the proposed Gold Card program could significantly reshape the investor immigration space. Prospective investors should carefully evaluate their options, considering investment capacity, timeline requirements, and long-term immigration goals.
Current market conditions favor certain nationalities in EB-5 set-aside categories, while E-2 visas remain an attractive option for treaty country nationals seeking business investment opportunities. As regulations continue evolving, working with experienced immigration professionals becomes increasingly important for successful program navigation.
The ongoing developments in 2025 underscore the dynamic nature of U.S. immigration policy and the government’s continued interest in attracting foreign investment to stimulate economic growth and job creation.
