ROWPROCESS
ISSUE 01
Advisor Guide
Inside the Application
8 MIN READ
How Our Advisors Handle Your Residency Application
A step-by-step look at how ROW immigration advisors manage your case from start to approval.
Read Guide🇺🇸Residency by Investment · Est. 1990
EB-5 Investor Visa.
U.S. Green Card.
Direct.
A U.S. Green Card for your whole family through an $800,000 Rural TEA investment. Priority processing under the 2022 EB-5 Reform Act - averaging ~6 months to I-526E approval. September 30, 2026 grandfathering deadline approaching.
EB-5 Program Overview
The only direct path to a U.S. Green Card through investment.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, created by Congress in 1990 and significantly reformed by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), allows foreign nationals to obtain U.S. lawful permanent residence (the "Green Card") through a qualifying capital investment. The program covers the main applicant, spouse, and all unmarried children under 21 - in a single petition.
ROW Immigration works exclusively with EB5 United-affiliated Regional Center projects - pre-vetted, USCIS-approved, and structured around the Rural TEA route that qualifies for priority adjudication under the RIA. This matters: while standard EB-5 petitions can take 2–3 years, Rural TEA petitions average approximately 6 months to I-526E approval.
A critical regulatory deadline exists: investors who file before September 30, 2026 may be grandfathered under current rules. We recommend beginning the process now to ensure eligibility within the window.
EB-5 Investment Routes
EB-5 Investment Route Options
The Rural TEA Regional Center route is ROW's recommended path - priority processing, $800K minimum, and passive investment structure. The other route exists but offers no processing advantage.
Priority Processing
Min Investment
$800,000
Rural TEA Regional Center
Investment in a USCIS-approved regional center project located in a Targeted Employment Area (rural). Under the 2022 EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act, Rural TEA petitions receive priority adjudication - averaging ~6 months to I-526E approval. ROW Immigration's recommended path through EB5 United-affiliated projects.
- Priority I-526E adjudication
- ~6 months to approval
- ROW/EB5 United vetted projects
- Passive investment - no day-to-day management
Min Investment
$800,000
Standard TEA Regional Center
Investment in a USCIS-approved regional center project in a standard Targeted Employment Area (high unemployment zone). Same $800K minimum as Rural TEA but without priority processing. Broader project selection across more locations.
- Same $800K minimum
- Broader project selection
- Established processing track
- Passive pooled investment
EB-5 Benefits
EB-5 Green Card Benefits
- U.S. Green Card for main applicant, spouse, and unmarried children under 21
- Live, work, and study anywhere in the United States - no employer sponsorship needed
- Pathway to full U.S. citizenship after 5 years of permanent residency
- Children attend U.S. public schools and qualify for in-state college tuition
- Start or acquire a U.S. business with no immigration restrictions
- Often the fastest Green Card option for nationals with EB-2/EB-3 backlogs
- Access to U.S. banking, credit, and social security system
EB-5 Risks
EB-5 Risks & Due Diligence
- Source-of-funds documentation is rigorous - every dollar must be traceable to lawful origin (bank statements, tax records, business sale docs)
- Initial Green Card is conditional for 2 years; I-829 must be filed to remove conditions and obtain permanent Green Card
- EB-5 capital is at-risk by program design - capital recovery depends on the project's commercial success
- IMPORTANT: September 30, 2026 grandfathering deadline - file before this date to lock in current regulatory rules
- U.S. Green Card holders are taxed on worldwide income - pre-immigration tax planning with a U.S. CPA is essential
EB-5 program terms are subject to USCIS regulation changes. We verify the current regulatory position with our U.S. immigration counsel before any commitment.
EB-5 Application Process
EB-5 Application Process: Step by Step
01
Strategy & Project Selection
Month 1Map your family's immigration goals, nationality-based priority dates, and budget. Select a Rural TEA Regional Center project (ROW works exclusively with EB5 United-vetted projects). Confirm source-of-funds documentation strategy with your U.S. immigration attorney.
02
Source-of-Funds Documentation
Month 1–2Compile the full source-of-funds package: tax returns, bank statements, business sale records, wire trails. Every dollar of the $800K must be documented to lawful origin. Your attorney reviews before the investment is made.
03
Capital Investment & I-526E Filing
Month 2–3Wire $800K into the escrow/subscription account of the Regional Center project. File I-526E (Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor) with USCIS. Rural TEA petitions receive priority - average adjudication ~6 months under the 2022 RIA.
04
Visa Issuance or Adjustment of Status
Month 8–12If outside the U.S.: DS-260 immigrant visa at U.S. consulate. If inside the U.S. and visa number is immediately available: I-485 Adjustment of Status. Conditional Green Card (CR-1) issued valid for 2 years.
05
I-829 & Permanent Green Card
Year 2–3Within 90 days before the 2nd anniversary of conditional Green Card, file I-829 to remove conditions and demonstrate the investment has been sustained and jobs created. Permanent (IR-1) Green Card issued.
EB-5 Cost Breakdown
EB-5 Program Costs: Full Breakdown
Indicative all-in costs for a family of four on the $800K Rural TEA Regional Center route. The capital investment is at-risk but recoverable at project maturity.
| Cost Item | Indicative Cost |
|---|---|
| EB-5 Capital Investment | $800,000 |
| Regional Center Admin / Subscription Fee | $50,000–75,000 |
| I-526E USCIS Filing Fee | $11,160 |
| I-485 / Consular Processing | $1,440–3,000 |
| I-829 (Conditions Removal) | $9,525 |
| U.S. Immigration Attorney Fees | $20,000–35,000 |
| Source-of-Funds Documentation | $3,000–8,000 |
| Advisory & Coordination | $8,000–14,000 |
| Total Estimate | ~$902,000–955,000 |
* Capital investment ($800,000) is at-risk by program design. Recovery depends on project success. All other fees are non-recoverable costs. Figures are indicative - your advisor will provide project-specific cost schedules.
Advisor Resources
Guides from Our Immigration Advisors
Written by our immigration advisory team to help you navigate residency and citizenship by investment.
ROWSTRATEGY
ISSUE 02
Advisor Guide
Citizenship vs Residency
6 MIN READ
Citizenship vs Residency: An Advisor's Breakdown
Our immigration advisors explain the key differences and which path suits your goals.
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ROWTAX
ISSUE 03
Advisor Guide
Tax Planning Essentials
10 MIN READ
Tax Planning Advice for Golden Visa Holders
Advisor insights on navigating tax implications across multiple jurisdictions.
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