Investing in US Real Estate to Get a Green Card: Complete Guide to the EB-5 Visa in 2026

Written by admin on May 28, 2026. Posted in GUIDE, news.

In recent years, a growing number of Italian entrepreneurs, investors, and families have been considering the United States not only as a real estate and financial market, but also as a concrete opportunity to obtain American permanent residency through the EB-5 program.

The EB-5 visa currently represents one of the most direct paths to obtaining a US Green Card by investing in the United States. However, there is still a lot of confusing information surrounding this program: minimum amounts, allowed real estate investments, USCIS requirements, Regional Centers, actual timelines, risks, and procedures.

In this 2026 updated guide, we will analyze in detail:

What is the EB-5 visa?;
how it really works;
How much do you need to invest?;
if it is possible to invest in real estate;
how to get the Green Card for the whole family;
What are the risks?;
what to expect in terms of timing;
what mistakes to avoid.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. USCIS regulations and EB-5 program requirements can change over time. Before embarking on any immigration path, it is always advisable to consult with a US-licensed immigration attorney.

What is the EB-5 Visa?

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is a federal program established by the U.S. Congress in 1990 to attract foreign capital and promote job creation in the United States.

Through a qualified investment in the U.S., a foreign investor can obtain a conditional Green Card for themselves and their immediate family members.

The program is managed by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

What are the benefits of the EB-5 visa?

The EB-5 visa allows you to obtain:

American Green Card;
permanent residence in the USA;
ability to live in any US state;
access to the American school system;
possibility of working or doing business in the USA;
university access with potentially lower costs than international students;
inclusion of the spouse and unmarried children under 21;
path to US citizenship.

Unlike other visas such as E-2 or L-1, the EB-5 program leads directly to permanent residency.

How much do you need to invest to get the American Green Card?

In 2026, the amounts provided by the program are:

Investment type	Minimum investment
TEA (Targeted Employment Area) Projects	$800.000
Standard investments	$1.050.000

TEAs are areas considered a priority by the US government, generally:

rural areas;
high unemployment areas.

Most EB-5 projects today are structured specifically in TEAs to allow access to the minimum investment of $800,000.

Is it possible to get the EB-5 visa by investing in real estate in the USA?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions.

The answer is: yes, but with some very important clarifications.

Simply buying a house in the United States does NOT automatically grant a Green Card.

To be valid for EB-5 purposes, the real estate investment must:

be structured as a qualified investment;
create at least 10 full-time jobs;
comply with USCIS requirements;
have a verifiable financial structure;
prove the lawful origin of the funds.

Which real estate investments can be compatible with the EB-5 program?

Some examples may include:

real estate development;
hotel;
resort;
multifamily projects;
mixed-use developments;
student housing;
Senior living;
commercial projects;
large-scale real estate transactions through Regional Center.

Many investors choose real estate projects managed through authorized Regional Centers.

What are the Regional Centers?

Regional Centers are US government-authorized entities that manage EB-5 projects.

These entities allow investors to:

participate in large structured projects;
delegate operational management;
use indirect jobs as well for the purposes of the program;
simplify part of the documentation.

In recent years, the Regional Center model has become the most used in the EB-5 sector.

Difference between Direct EB-5 and Regional Center

Direct EB-5	Regional Center EB-5
The investor manages the business directly	Delegated management
Calls for direct job creation	Indirect positions can count too
More operational control	More passive approach
More complex to structure	Most widespread
Often used for personal business	Very common in real estate

How does the EB-5 process work?

1. Preliminary analysis

It occurs:

personal situation;
immigration goals;
family composition;
financial availability;
source of funds;
investment type.

Project selection

The investor can:

invest in a direct business;
participate in a Regional Center;
evaluate EB-5 compliant real estate projects.

This phase often requires:

due diligence;
Risk analysis;
verify legal documentation;
business plan;
Check USCIS compliance.

3. Proof of Source of Funds

One of the most important aspects of the program.

USCIS requires detailed evidence regarding the lawful source of the invested capital.

Funds can come from:

income;
real estate sales;
dividends;
inheritance;
donations;
business activities;
investments.

The documentation must be extremely accurate.

4. Filing of the EB-5 petition

The immigration attorney submits the documentation to USCIS.

5. Obtaining the conditional Green Card

If approved, the investor obtains a 2-year conditional Green Card.

6. Removal of conditions

At the end of the period, it is demonstrated that:

the investment was maintained;
jobs have been created;
The project complies with the EB-5 requirements.

Subsequently, the permanent Green Card is obtained.

How long does it take to get the EB-5 Visa?

Timelines can vary greatly.

Realistically by 2026:

Phase	Estimated timeline
Document preparation	1-3 months
Filing USCIS	variable
First approval	12-36 months
Conditional Green Card	subsequent approval
Removal of conditions	approximately 2 years later

Some categories or nationalities may experience delays related to retrogression.

What is Retrogression?

Retrocession occurs when the number of requests exceeds the available visas.

This can significantly increase the timeframe.

For some countries, the wait can become very long.

Does the EB-5 visa guarantee the return of the investment?

No.

It is essential to understand that the EB-5 program is a risk investment.

USCIS explicitly requires the capital to be “at risk”.

This means that:

absolute guarantees do not exist;
capital may be subject to business risk;
Project selection is fundamental.

For this reason it is important to carry out:

thorough due diligence;
legal analysis;
financial analysis;
verification of the project track record.

Is it possible to include the family?

Yes.

Generally the program includes:

spouse;
unmarried children under 21 years of age.

They will also be able to get the Green Card.

Can you work in the US with an EB-5?

Yes.

Once the Green Card is obtained, the beneficiary can:

work;
do business;
invest;
live anywhere in the United States.

Difference between EB-5 and E-2

Many Italian investors are also considering the E-2 visa.

EB-5	E-2
Green Card holder	It does not automatically lead to a Green Card
Higher investment	Often lower investment
Longer process	I often process faster
Permanent residence	Temporary renewable visa
Possible passive approach	Requires active business management

Difference between EB-5 and EB2-NIW

EB-5	EB2-NIW
Based on investment	Based on skills/profile
Capital required	It does not require a high investment
Accessible to investors	Accessible to qualified professionals
Business/Investment Focus	Professional merit focus

Simplified practical example

An Italian investor decides to participate in a hotel project in Florida through a Regional Center.

Hypothetical scenario:

investment: $800,000;
project in TEA;
inclusion of wife and two children;
source of funds documentation resulting from the sale of a business;
EB-5 petition filing;
obtaining a conditional Green Card;
subsequent removal of conditions.

However, each real case requires specific evaluations.

What are the most common mistakes in the EB-5 program?

Underestimate the source of funds

Many cases are slowed down due to incomplete documentation.

Choosing projects without due diligence

Not all projects have the same level of security.

Confusing personal real estate purchase with EB-5

Buying a house is not enough to get a Green Card.

Relying on unqualified operators

It is essential to coordinate:

immigration attorney;
CPA;
financial advisors;
real estate advisors;
compliance professionals.

Preliminary checklist for evaluating an EB-5 path

Personal documentation

Passport;
family situation;
residential history.

Financial documentation

tax returns;
bank statements;
deeds of sale;
proof of source of funds.

Investment evaluation

project type;
risk;
Regional Center;
business plan;
exit strategy.

How can an international advisor help?

An EB-5 path often involves multiple areas simultaneously:

immigration;
international taxation;
investments;
real estate;
corporate setup;
family relocation.

An international advisor can assist with the coordination of:

immigration attorneys;
American CPAs;
real estate broker;
developers;
EB-5 operators;
compliance professionals.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about the EB-5 Visa

Does buying a house in Florida allow you to get a Green Card?

No. Purchasing a private home is not sufficient to qualify for the EB-5 program.

What is the minimum EB-5 investment in 2026?

Generally:

$800,000 in TEA;
$1.050.000 outside TEA.

Can I include my wife and children?

Yes, generally the program includes the immediate family.

Is the invested capital guaranteed?

No. It must be a risk investment according to USCIS rules.

Can I invest in hotels or real estate projects?

Yes, many EB-5 projects involve real estate development and hospitality.

How long does it take to get a Green Card?

It depends on many factors, but the process often takes several years.

Can I live anywhere in the USA?

Yes. Once you obtain the Green Card, you can live in any American state.

Conclusions

Today, the EB-5 program represents one of the main opportunities for international investors interested in moving to the United States by obtaining a Green Card through a qualified investment.

However, this is a complex path that requires:

planning;
correct structuring;
USCIS compliance verification;
legal and financial analysis;
accurate project selection.

For this reason, it is essential to approach the process with the support of experienced professionals in immigration, investments and the American market.