Can I buy a US house directly with EB-5 capital?

No. The capital must enter a New Commercial Enterprise that creates 10 qualifying jobs. Personal residence purchases do not qualify, though you can buy a US home with separate capital after receiving conditional residency.

How long does the full EB-5 process take in 2026?

For Reserved Visa categories (rural, high-unemployment urban, infrastructure): 24–36 months from filing to conditional green card. For unreserved categories with country backlogs (India, China): historically 5–10+ years, though the RIA reserved categories materially reduce this for qualifying projects.

What happens if I file before September 30, 2026?

You are grandfathered under the existing RIA framework regardless of whether Congress reauthorizes the program in 2027.

Can my children stay on my EB-5 case after they turn 21?

The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) provides specific protections that can preserve eligibility based on the I-526E filing date. This is one of the strongest arguments for filing earlier rather than later, especially for Indian families with children approaching 18–19.

What is the difference between a TEA and a Rural project?

A TEA can be either rural (statutorily defined low-population area) or high-unemployment (census tract with unemployment ≥150% of US average). Rural projects qualify for both the $800,000 threshold and the Rural Set-Aside reserved visas, a double advantage that has reshaped EB-5 deal flow since 2023.

EB-5 Visa Through US Real Estate: The 2026 Playbook for Foreign Investors

Published on: May 18, 2026

Quick answer: The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is the most direct legal route from a foreign passport to a US green card for the investor, spouse, and unmarried children under 21. Since the 2022 Reform and Integrity Act, the minimum investment is $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (rural or high-unemployment) or