EB-5 Visa · June 12, 2026
How to Get a US Green Card Through Real Estate Investment in 2025
A complete step-by-step guide to obtaining US permanent residency through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program using Miami pre-construction real estate. Updated for 2025 USCIS requirements.
By Condo Invest Miami Research · Editorial & market research · 12 min read
The EB-5 Pathway to a US Green Card
For international investors, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program remains the most direct route to US permanent residency. Unlike employment- or family-based streams, EB-5 issues green cards to qualified investors and their immediate families in exchange for a qualifying real estate or business investment.
This guide covers the program rules as of 2025 and narrows the focus to Miami pre-construction real estate — one of the most active and accessible EB-5 investment channels right now.
Current EB-5 Investment Requirements (2025)
The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA) reshaped the program. Key current requirements:
Standard Investment Minimum: $1,050,000 for projects not in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
TEA Investment Minimum: $800,000 for projects in high-unemployment areas or rural areas designated as TEAs. The vast majority of Miami pre-construction projects qualify for TEA designation.
Job Creation: Each EB-5 investor must create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying US workers. Regional Center investments count indirect and induced jobs, making it easier to satisfy this requirement.
Source of Funds: Investors must document the lawful source of all invested capital. This step typically produces the largest volume of paperwork.
Why Miami Pre-Construction Is Ideal for EB-5
Miami concentrates EB-5 activity for obvious reasons.
TEA Eligibility
Most Miami neighborhoods — including Brickell, Edgewater, Wynwood, Miami River, and North Miami Beach — qualify as TEAs, enabling the $800,000 minimum investment. That amounts to a 24% reduction from the standard rate.
Regional Center Infrastructure
Major Miami developers run USCIS-approved Regional Centers that handle job-counting and compliance. That setup shifts much of the administrative load from the investor to the developer and Regional Center.
Market Appreciation
Many EB-5 placements elsewhere function like secured loans with little upside. Miami pre-construction deals can produce real capital gains. Projects such as River District 14 and Nexo Residences have logged pre-delivery price increases of 15–25%.
Developer Credibility
USCIS scrutinizes project viability. Miami’s established builders — Related Group, Ugo Colombo, Swire Properties — supply audited financials and development track records that satisfy adjudicators.
Step-by-Step: Getting Your Green Card Through Miami Real Estate
Phase 1: Project Selection and Investment (Months 1–3)
- Consult an EB-5 immigration attorney — Start here. Attorney fees typically range from $15,000–$30,000 for the full process.
- Select a USCIS-compliant project — Verify the project's Regional Center designation, exemplar I-526 approval (if available), and financial projections.
- Conduct source of funds analysis — Coordinate with your attorney to document the lawful origin of your investment capital.
- Execute subscription agreement — Sign the investment documents and transfer funds to the escrow account.
Phase 2: I-526 Filing (Months 3–6)
- File Form I-526 — Your attorney prepares and submits the Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor. Current USCIS filing fee: $3,675.
- USCIS processing — Current processing times range from 12 to 36 months depending on country of birth and petition complexity.
Phase 3: Immigrant Visa or Adjustment of Status (After I-526 Approval)
- Consular processing (if outside the US) — Apply for an immigrant visa at the nearest US consulate. Processing typically takes 3–6 months after I-526 approval.
- Adjustment of status (if inside the US on a valid visa) — File Form I-485 to adjust to permanent resident status without leaving the US.
Phase 4: Conditional Green Card (2 Years)
- Receive 2-year conditional green card — Valid for 2 years. During this period, your investment must remain at risk.
- Monitor project progress — Your Regional Center provides annual reports on job creation and project status.
Phase 5: Removing Conditions (Year 2)
- File Form I-829 — Filed within 90 days before the 2-year conditional green card expires. Demonstrates that the investment was maintained and jobs were created.
- Receive permanent green card — Valid for 10 years and renewable indefinitely. After 5 years as a permanent resident, you may apply for US citizenship.
Total Cost Breakdown
Cost Item · Estimated Amount
----------- · ------------------
EB-5 Capital Investment (TEA) · $800,000
Regional Center Admin Fee · $40,000–$60,000
Immigration Attorney Fees · $15,000–$30,000
USCIS Filing Fees (I-526 + I-829) · ~$5,000
Consular/AOS Fees · ~$3,000
Total Estimated Cost · $863,000–$898,000
Currently Available Miami EB-5 Projects
Our portfolio includes 11 EB-5 eligible pre-construction projects in Miami and South Florida, ranging from luxury waterfront towers in Brickell and Edgewater to boutique residential developments in Coral Gables and Palm Beach. All projects are located in designated TEAs, qualifying for the $800,000 minimum investment.
Contact our EB-5 specialist team for a personalized consultation and project recommendations based on your investment timeline, budget, and immigration objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EB-5 visa and how does it work?
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows foreign nationals to obtain US permanent residency (a green card) by investing a minimum of $800,000 in a USCIS-approved commercial enterprise in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), or $1,050,000 in a non-TEA location. The investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers. Most EB-5 investors invest through USCIS-approved Regional Centers, which pool investments into large commercial projects like Miami pre-construction condos.
Can I get a green card by buying a Miami condo?
Not directly — simply purchasing a Miami condo does not qualify for the EB-5 visa. The EB-5 program requires investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs. However, several Miami pre-construction projects are structured as EB-5 Regional Center investments, where your investment funds the development and creates the required jobs. Alhambra Parc in Coral Gables is one example — 50 EB-5 investment slots at $1,050,000 minimum, with the investor receiving a residential unit and EB-5 visa eligibility.
How much does it cost to get a US green card through EB-5?
The total cost of an EB-5 green card through Miami real estate is approximately $900,000–1,200,000, including: the minimum investment ($800K–1.05M), USCIS filing fees ($11,160 for I-526 petition), immigration attorney fees ($15,000–25,000), and administrative fees charged by the Regional Center ($50,000–75,000). The investment itself is typically returned at project completion (3–5 years), making the true cost the attorney and administrative fees plus the opportunity cost of the capital.
What are the risks of the EB-5 visa program?
The main risks of the EB-5 program are: investment risk (the project may fail or not generate sufficient returns), immigration risk (USCIS may deny the petition if job creation requirements are not met), and timing risk (the process takes 3–5 years with no guarantee of success). Choosing a USCIS-approved Regional Center with a strong track record, a reputable developer, and a project in a high-demand market like Miami significantly reduces these risks. Always work with an experienced EB-5 immigration attorney.