permanent Residency Through Investment in the Unitd States
The EB-5 immigrant investor program: what it costs, how it works, and what the 2026 immigrant visa pause means for Bangladeshi investors.
Am I eligible?Since 21 January 2026 the US has paused immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, including Bangladesh. The US Embassy in Dhaka repeated on 11 July that the pause continues. EB-5 is an immigrant visa, so an investor who must collect the visa at a consulate abroad cannot receive it while the pause lasts. Petitions can still be filed and decided, and applicants may attend interviews. Lawyers disagree on how far the pause reaches into other steps, so get legal advice before you invest.
Program overview
A permanent residence path for investors who put capital at risk in a US project that creates jobs.
What you get
- US Green Card pathway, conditional for the first 2 years
- No sponsor required
- Live, work, and study anywhere in the US
- Access to US education and healthcare
- Pathway toward US citizenship
- Family included
- Who it is for
- Investors who can put capital at risk and prove the money came from lawful sources.
- Who is included
- You, your spouse, and unmarried children under 21.
- Typical timeline
- 2 to 6+ years, depending on the project, visa availability, and processing.
- Result
- A conditional Green Card for 2 years, then permanent residence after the conditions are removed.
Investment requirements
What the law asks of your capital.
- Minimum investment
- $800,000 in a targeted employment area (rural or high unemployment). $1,050,000 elsewhere.
- Job requirement
- The investment must create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers.
- How it is invested
- Through a USCIS-approved regional center project or a direct new commercial enterprise.
- Risk
- Funds must be at risk. Returns and repayment are not guaranteed.
- Source of funds
- You must trace every dollar to a lawful source with documents.
Quick eligibility check
A rough guide only. A licensed immigration attorney must assess your case.
Your journey step by step
Open each stage. Timelines vary a lot by project and case.
1. AssessmentDays
Confirm your budget, source of funds, and family members. Decide whether a regional center project or a direct investment fits you.
2. Choose and check a projectWeeks
Review the project’s job creation plan, location (does it qualify as a targeted employment area), legal structure, and fees. Ask for independent legal and financial review before you sign.
3. Prove source of fundsWeeks to months
Gather records that trace the money to a lawful source: business income, property sales, gifts, loans, and taxes. Gaps are a leading cause of delay.
4. Invest and file the petitionMonths
Transfer the capital as the project requires and file Form I-526E (regional center) or I-526 (direct). USCIS decides whether the investment and funds qualify.
5. Visa availability and processingYears
After approval you wait for a visa number if your category has a backlog, then apply for the immigrant visa abroad or adjust status inside the US. For Bangladeshi nationals abroad, the 2026 pause blocks visa issuance for now.
6. Conditional Green Card, then permanent2 years
The first card lasts 2 years. Before it expires you file Form I-829 to prove the investment was sustained and the jobs were created. Approval removes the conditions.
7. CitizenshipAfter 5 years
Permanent residents can apply for naturalization after the required period of residence in the US and meeting the other tests.
What you need to prepare
Specific requirements depend on your project and family.
Financial
- Proof of investment capital
- Bank statements
- Tax returns
- Source-of-funds evidence
- Investment agreement
Personal
- Valid passport
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificate
- Education records
- Translations
Background
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical examination
- Employment history
- Court and tax records
Application
- Petition forms
- Biometrics appointment
- Immigrant visa forms
- Interview preparation
Common questions
Short answers.
Is this residency or citizenship?
Residency. The Green Card lets you live permanently in the US. Citizenship comes later through naturalization.
Can the investment be lost?
Yes. EB-5 requires capital at risk, so there is no guaranteed return.
Does the pause cancel my petition?
No. Attorneys report that USCIS has continued to decide EB-5 petitions. The pause affects immigrant visa issuance abroad for Bangladeshi nationals while it lasts.
Can the program change?
Yes. Congress sets the regional center authorization and the investment amounts. Confirm the current status with a licensed immigration attorney before you invest.
Cost estimate
The capital is only part of the cost. Government amounts are in dollars.
Sources disagree on some EB-5 fees because a court struck down the 2024 increase and USCIS then published a new rule. Project administration and attorney amounts are industry estimates, not government fees. Medical exams, translations, and optional work permit or travel document filings are not included. Confirm every amount on uscis.gov before you file.
Ready to start your USA journey?
Talk to our team about your CRS score, documents, and timeline before you pay any fees.