I-526 Petition:
The initial application filed by an EB-5 investor to USCIS to demonstrate that their investment meets the program’s requirements, including the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs.
I-829 Petition:
The application filed by an EB-5 investor after two years of conditional residency to remove the conditions on their green card, proving that the investment has met the required job creation criteria.
Targeted Employment Area (TEA):
A geographic area that qualifies for a lower EB-5 investment threshold ($800,000) due to its rural location or high unemployment rate.
Conditional Permanent Residency:
A two-year period during which EB-5 investors and their families live in the U.S. with a conditional green card. After this period, investors can apply to remove the conditions and obtain a permanent green card.
Escrow Account:
A secure account where an investor’s funds are held until certain conditions are met, such as the approval of the I-526 petition. This provides a level of protection for the investor’s capital.
Regional Center:
An organization designated by USCIS to sponsor EB-5 investment projects. Regional centers help pool investor capital for large-scale projects and are responsible for meeting the job creation requirements of the EB-5 program.
Job Creation:
A key requirement of the EB-5 program, which mandates that each investment must create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.