A Brief Introduction to EB5 Loan: Requirements, Cost and Benefits

Harriny • 4/30/2025 A Brief Introduction to EB5 Loan: Requirements, Cost and Benefits

If you’ve been looking for a smart and direct route to a U.S. green card—not through lottery or years of work sponsorship, but through investment—then the EB5 visa might already be on your way. But you don’t always need to have $800,000 in your account. The EB5 Loan Program is changing the game, and if done right, it can make your green card journey smoother and faster than many expect.

Times of India reported a spike in EB5 filings from Indians in the U.S., many of whom were on H1B for over 6 years with no clear green card timeline in sight.

Let’s break this down step-by-step so you understand how it works, what it costs, and how it could benefit your family long-term.

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What is the EB5 Visa?

The EB5 visa is the U.S. government’s way of saying, “Invest in our economy, and we’ll welcome you as a permanent resident.” The EB5 visa (Employment-Based Fifth Preference) is a U.S. immigration program that offers:

➤ A direct path to permanent residency (yes a green card)—if you make an eligible investment in the U.S. economy and help create American jobs.

As of 2024, the minimum investment is $800,000 if you invest in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which includes rural or high-unemployment zones. Otherwise, it’s $1.05 million.

➤ According to the USCIS, this investment must lead to the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. In return, you and your immediate family (spouse and children under 21) can qualify for lawful permanent residence.

Also read: It’s the gold card — the Trump card

Eb5 processing time (For Indians Already in the U.S.)?

If you’re already in the U.S. on a temporary visa (like H1B, F1, L1) or even OPT—you might already know how long and uncertain the green card backlog can get, especially under EB2 and EB3 categories. The EB5 visa can help you bypass that decades-long wait with a direct route to a green card, and yes, it works even if you're already inside the U.S.

Must read: How Long Does EB-5 Take in 2025? Updated Processing Times and What to Expect

1. Pick a USCIS-Approved Regional Center or Direct EB5 Project

You’ll start by selecting a qualified investment project—most Indian applicants choose Regional Centers because they handle job creation and paperwork, reducing your personal risk and effort. Just make sure the project is EB5-compliant and properly vetted.

2. Secure Funds (Loan or Liquid Assets)

Whether you’re funding the $800,000 through personal savings, family gifts, or an EB5-compliant loan (secured by your own assets), it’s crucial to show the lawful source of funds. USCIS cares whether it's clean, legal money.

3. File Form I-526E (Immigrant Petition)

This is where you prove that your

➟Investment is real,

➟Job-creating, and

➟Sourced lawfully.

Once this petition is approved, you move on to apply for your green card.

4. Adjustment of Status (Form I-485)

Since you’re already in the U.S., you can file Form I-485 for Adjustment of Status—you don’t need to leave the country or go through consular processing abroad. This also makes you eligible for an EAD (work permit) and Advance Parole (travel permit) while your green card is pending.

According to USCIS guidelines, you can now file I-526E and I-485 concurrently, provided that a visa is immediately available to you, updates under the EB5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.

This concurrent filing can expedite your immigration process and offers certain legal protections while your applications are pending.

5. Conditional Green Card (2 Years)

If all goes well, USCIS will issue you a 2-year conditional green card, allowing you to live, work, and travel freely in the U.S.

6. File Form I-829 (Remove Conditions)

Before your 2-year green card expires, you’ll file Form I-829 to prove that your investment created the required jobs. Once approved, you’ll get a permanent green card for you and your immediate family.

Indians often get stuck in green card backlogs that can stretch 10–15 years. With EB5, you're skipping all that. The visa operates on separate annual quotas, and with the 2022 legislation, there are now visa set-asides for rural and high-unemployment area projects—giving a better shot at faster approval.

Take advantage of Your free call with a top immigration expert.

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What’s the EB5 Loan Program?

Not everyone has $800,000 lying around. That’s where the EB5 Loan Program steps in: This option allows eligible investors to secure a loan usually backed by property or other personal assets to fund their EB5 investment.

USCIS is very specific about this: The funds must still be lawfully sourced, and you have to prove that the loan is secured by your own assets, not someone else’s. Also, the loan cannot be conditional or forgiven—it must be a real, enforceable debt.

EB5 Cost Breakdown

Investors are increasingly opting for EB5 loans to avoid liquidating long-term investments or real estate during market downturns.

▶ Investment Amount – $800,000 Minimum required for projects in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs).

▶ Regional Center Fee – $50,000–$70,000 One-time admin fee for managing your EB5 investment.

▶ Immigration Attorney Fee – $15,000–$25,000 Covers petition filing, compliance, and green card support.

▶ USCIS Filing Fees – $3,675+ I-526E + (optional) I-485 $1,140 plus $85 biometrics fee per person.(for those adjusting status in the U.S.).

▶ Loan Interest (if applicable) – 3%–6% annually Only if you finance the investment via an EB5-compliant loan.

▶ Source of Funds & Financial Review – $3,000–$5,000 For documentation, tracing, and reporting lawful funds.

▶ Miscellaneous (translations, notary, etc.) – $1,000–$2,000

Estimated Total: ~$875,000 to $915,000+ (Family adds USCIS fees per member.)

How This Helps You Fast-Track Your Green Card

No need to sell property or liquidate investments at a bad time.
Avoid long backlogs from other employment or family-based green card categories.
Your spouse and kids under 21 get green cards too, automatically.

With the 2022 EB5 Reform and Integrity Act, there are now visa set-asides for rural, infrastructure, and high-unemployment area projects—speeding up the timeline for many applicants from backlogged countries like India and China.

Take advantage of Your free call with a top immigration expert.

The EB5 Loan Program gives you flexibility, financial control, and a fast-track to U.S. residency without needing to disrupt your whole portfolio. It’s a legal, smart investment in your future and one that opens the door for you to build a life in the United States.

🔐 How We Can Help You Through It All

We know EB5 can feel overwhelming, especially when loans and legal documents get involved.

That’s why we offer end-to-end support—from evaluating solid EB5 projects to helping you secure a loan, prepare documents, and work with USCIS-approved lawyers.

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