The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows eligible foreign investors to pursue permanent residence by investing in a U.S. commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs. At Zepeda Law Firm, our Fort Worth EB-5 immigrant investor visa attorneys represent investors and their families from the initial evaluation through the removal of conditions on permanent residence. We will help you assess the requirements, trace the lawful source of your capital, and prepare a petition supported by clear financial and business records.
Why Choose Zepeda Law Firm for Your EB-5 Petition?
An EB-5 case connects a significant investment with your family’s immigration plans. Before committing capital, you need to understand the requirements and evidence USCIS expects.
Clients choose Zepeda Law Firm because we offer:
- Decades of immigration law experience serving clients from around the world
- Direct involvement from Managing Attorney Yadira Zepeda, who conducts initial consultations and oversees each case
- Experience handling more than 2,000 immigration matters
- Detailed review of source-of-funds and transfer documentation
- Clear explanations of each filing stage and what happens next
- Personal attention from offices in Fort Worth and Southlake
When appropriate, we coordinate with your financial, tax, and business advisers to build a consistent petition record.
How Does the EB-5 Program Work?
You must invest or be actively in the process of investing the required capital in a qualifying new commercial enterprise. That enterprise must create at least 10 full-time positions for eligible U.S. workers.
EB-5 does not require an employer sponsor or labor certification. After completing the petition and visa process, you, your spouse, and your unmarried children under 21 may receive conditional permanent residence. You must later petition to remove those conditions by showing that the investment and job-creation requirements were satisfied.
How Much Do You Have to Invest?
The standard minimum EB-5 investment is $1,050,000, or $800,000 for qualifying investments in rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure projects. These categories also receive reserved visas, which may affect availability for investors from high-demand countries. Because investment thresholds change periodically, we will confirm the applicable amount and whether your project qualifies for the reduced threshold.
Should You Choose a Direct Investment or Regional Center Project?
The right choice depends on how involved you want to be in the business, how jobs will be counted, and the type of project you prefer.
A direct EB-5 investment generally involves investing in a business that directly employs the required workers. Direct investors often take a more active role in operating or directing the enterprise.
A regional center investment places your capital in a project sponsored by a USCIS-designated regional center. These projects may use approved economic models to count direct and qualifying indirect jobs. Regional center investors must still participate in the management of the enterprise, but they may satisfy this requirement through the rights granted to limited partners or members under the governing documents.
Regional center designation does not guarantee immigration approval, investment returns, or repayment of your capital. We can review the project’s immigration-related documents and job-creation plan. Separate financial, tax, and securities advisers can help you evaluate the investment itself.
Is EB-5 the Right Investor Visa for You?
EB-5 is not the only option for foreign investors. If you are a citizen of a treaty country and want to operate a U.S. business with a lower investment, an E-2 visa may be worth considering. However, E-2 is a temporary classification and does not provide a direct path to permanent residence.
We help clients evaluate how E-2 and EB-5 compare based on their nationality, available capital, desired level of business involvement, and long-term immigration goals.
Why Does the Lawful Source of Funds Matter?
USCIS requires evidence showing how you lawfully obtained the invested capital and how that money reached the EB-5 enterprise. Depending on the source, your petition may include tax returns, business records, bank statements, property-sale documents, inheritance records, loan agreements, or gift documentation.
USCIS may trace the funds across accounts, countries, and currencies. We will identify gaps, organize records, and explain transactions that could raise questions.
What Are the Steps in the EB-5 Process?
Direct investors generally file Form I-526, while regional center investors file Form I-526E. After petition approval and visa availability, investors abroad complete consular processing. Investors in the United States may be eligible to apply for adjustment of status, including through concurrent filing when a visa is immediately available and the other requirements are satisfied.
Successful applicants initially receive conditional permanent residence for two years. During the 90-day period before that status expires, you generally must file Form I-829 to remove the conditions. Processing times vary based on visa availability, project type, country of birth, and the circumstances of the petition.
Talk With a Fort Worth EB-5 Attorney Before You Invest
An EB-5 petition requires coordination between your investment, financial history, and long-term immigration plans. Contact Zepeda Law Firm for a free consultation with a Fort Worth EB-5 immigrant investor visa attorney. We will review your proposed investment, explain the filing process, and help you determine your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions About EB-5 Visas
Can gifted money fund an EB-5 investment?
Yes. You must document the gift and establish that the person providing the money obtained it lawfully.
Do I have to live near my EB-5 investment?
Generally, no. You may live elsewhere in the United States, although your responsibilities will depend on the investment structure.
Can I work outside the EB-5 business?
Once you have permanent residence or separate employment authorization, you generally may work for another employer. Your investment must still satisfy EB-5 requirements.