The Path to Citizenship for EB-5 Investors

Often, EB-5 investors want to immigrate to America for more than just permanent residence, they want to become full participants in American democracy and gain citizenship for themselves. Although permanent residents do enjoy nearly identical rights and freedoms to US citizens there are still some restrictions. Unlike citizens, permanent residents cannot run for Federal office, and are limited in how long they can stay abroad. Citizenship also has other benefits, such as the right to vote and serve on juries, traveling with a US passport, and priority over non-citizens when petitioning to bring family members to the US. Fortunately, obtaining an EB-5 visa can put immigrant investors on a path to citizenship in only a few short years.

Making an EB-5 Investment and Acquiring your Visa

Before one can apply for US citizenship, they’ll need to gain status as a permanent resident. As you probably already know, the EB-5 program is one of the fastest ways for foreign nationals to gain permanent residence in the US. By investing a minimum of $900,000 in a qualified EB-5 project, and creating 10 US jobs, investors can gain conditional permanent residency for themselves, as well as their spouse and any children under age 21, and are eligible to make that conditional status a permanent one after two years. 

For a more detailed look on navigating the EB-5 application process, you can read our guide here. After investors receive their EB-5 visa they receive a conditional permanent residency for two years. After these two years are up the investor can apply to gain unconditional permanent residency in the US. 

Citizenship Requirements

In order to apply to be naturalized as a US citizen there are several basic requirements that need to be fulfilled. Most importantly, one needs to have acquired permanent residency in the US, and they must have resided in the US for at least five years. For most immigrants to the US the most difficult part of this process is gaining status as a permanent resident in the US. However, successful EB-5 applicants will already be permanent residents when entering the US(provided they were not already residing in the US when they began their EB-5 application). Furthermore, the two years in which EB-5 residents resided in the US under conditional status will count towards the five years of permanent residency one needs to become eligible for naturalization. 

While it can take some immigrants more than a decade just to be eligible to apply for naturalization, participants in the EB-5 program could begin the naturalization process a mere five years after they first moved to the US. Furthermore, this benefit also applies to the EB-5 investors spouse and children, after only five years your entire family could be well on their way to US citizenship. Remember, every EB-5 investor’s situation is different and it is always best to consult with a qualified immigration attorney before you make any decisions.

Applying to For citizenship

After you’ve resided in the US as a permanent resident for at least five years(provided that you spent at least 30 months of those five years in the US), to begin the naturalization process you’ll need to file form N-400 with USCIS. It’s important to know that you’ll also need to have lived within the state or USCIS district with jurisdiction over your place of residence for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing your N-400.  Next you’ll need to schedule an interview with USCIS and take a citizenship exam which tests applicants proficiency with English and knowledge of US history and government. Once you’ve completed your interview and passed the citizenship exam you’ll receive a decision on your N-400. Assuming USCIS approves your application, all that’s left is to take an Oath of Allegiance to the US and start enjoying your rights as a full American citizen. 

Apply for EB-5 today

As you can see the EB-5 program offers investors a fast track to gaining American citizenship. While the process is obviously not a simple one, for foreign nationals who wish to permanently reside in the US there is simply no better option than the EB-5 program. The EB-5 program is currently set to expire on June 30, 2021. Don’t wait, fill out our evaluation form below and let our team help get you started on the path to permanent residence in the US.