Summary
The U.S. State Department announced that the limit for EB-5 visas, which allow foreign investors to obtain green cards, has been reached for the 2025 fiscal year. No more green cards in this category will be issued until the fiscal year resets on October 1, 2025. This decision follows a high demand for employment-based visas.
Key Facts
- The EB-5 visa program lets foreign investors gain permanent residency by investing at least $1 million in U.S. companies with at least 10 employees.
- The annual limit for EB-5 visas has been reached for the 2025 fiscal year.
- The U.S. State Department and USCIS oversee the issuance of EB-5 visas.
- The Immigration and Nationality Act sets a cap on employment-based visas each fiscal year.
- The EB-5 limit is 7.1% of the total worldwide employment-based visas, with 68% for unreserved categories.
- Unused reserved visas from 2023 are added to the 2025 pool for unreserved categories.
- Alternatives to EB-5 include the E-2 visa, which allows investment but doesn't directly lead to permanent residency.
- The fiscal year for visa issuance resets on October 1, 2025, allowing new EB-5 visas to be issued.
