Journey
IMM Group · Est. 2005

U.S. Investor Visa Options:
Green Card and Business Visa Routes

U.S. investor visa and green card pathways for entrepreneurs and investors

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Key deadline for EB-5 investors

Form I-526E filing deadline:

30 / 09 / 2026

For EB-5 investors, the timing of your filing is central to managing cost and legal risk. The September 30, 2026 deadline directly affects the US$800,000 investment amount, your legal rights, and the stability of your petition.

! Grandfathering provision: protection for filed petitions

Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), only Form I-526E petitions filed by September 30, 2026 retain the current terms if the program changes in the future.

Investment amount retained
US$800,000
Criteria retained
Adjudication and benefits
Protection
If the law changes
Overview

U.S. investor
visa programs

Each program is designed for investors and entrepreneurs planning a move to the United States, and each suits different goals, financial capacity, and business models. The options fall into 2 groups: investment programs that lead directly to a green card, and business visa routes for entrepreneurs who want to live and work in the U.S.

A
A Direct green card

Direct U.S. green card by investment
(EB-5, EB-1C)

These programs lead directly to a U.S. green card (permanent residence) for the investor, their spouse, and unmarried children under 21.

EB-5
Project-based investment
EB-1C
Existing U.S. company
01
01 Group A · Option 01
EB-5
Investment
US$800,000
Outcome
U.S. green card
Permanent residence
Processing time
1,5 – 2,5
years
Investment type

Investment in a project that meets USCIS requirements, with a minimum holding period of 5 years.

Key benefits
Green cards for the applicant, spouse, and unmarried children under 21
Freedom to live, work, and study in any U.S. state
Access to most healthcare, education, and social benefits available to U.S. citizens (except voting rights), subject to eligibility rules
Tuition-free public schooling for your children through high school
University tuition that can be as little as one-third of what international students pay
Eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after 5 years as a green card holder
Limitations to consider
Not a fast-track option: investors must wait their turn for their petitions to be processed
Book a consultation View details
02
02 Group A · Option 02
EB-1C
Investment
Varies by
business model
Outcome
U.S. green card
Permanent residence
Processing time
From 6
months
Investment type

An existing U.S. company that has operated for at least 1 year, is performing well, and has a viable growth plan.

Key benefits
Green cards for the applicant, spouse, and unmarried children under 21
Freedom to live, work, and study in any U.S. state
Access to most healthcare, education, and social benefits available to U.S. citizens (except voting rights), subject to eligibility rules
Tuition-free public schooling for your children through high school
University tuition that can be as little as one-third of what international students pay
Eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after 5 years as a green card holder
Limitations to consider
Only for investors who already own a business in the U.S.
Proving the investor's role in, and importance to, the business can be challenging
Book a consultation View details
B
B Business visa routes

U.S. business relocation visas
(L-1A, E-2)

Both visa programs serve entrepreneurs and business leaders who relocate to the U.S. to run a business, with a possible pathway to a green card over time.

L-1A
As fast as 15 days
E-2
Processing in 6 months
03
03 Group B · Option 03
L-1A
Investment
Varies by
business model
Processing time
3
months
As fast as
15
days
Outcome
  • Relocate to the U.S. to run and work for your U.S. subsidiary
  • Give your children a U.S. education
Investment type

Establish a U.S. subsidiary and transfer a senior executive from your parent company abroad to manage its operations.

Company requirements
  • Parent company abroad: substantial in size, with the financial capacity to invest in the U.S.
  • U.S. company: a subsidiary or affiliate of the parent company, large enough to need a senior executive to run it
Investor requirements
  • Currently holds an executive or managerial position at the parent company abroad
  • Has the capability and experience to run the U.S. subsidiary
Key benefits
Short processing time — as little as 15 days
Your whole family can live, work, and study in the U.S.
Tuition-free public schooling through high school for children under 21
After 1 year of successful business operations, you may apply for EB-1C — a path to a U.S. green card and, in time, U.S. citizenship
Limitations to consider
You must show the business is operating successfully from its first year in order to remain in the U.S.
Visa valid for 1–3 years, up to 7 years in total — extensions depend on business performance
Book a consultation View details
04
04 Group B · Option 04
E-2
Investment
US$100,000–150,000
Varies by
Processing time
6
months
Visa term
2 – 5
years
Suited to families who want to
  • Reside in the U.S. to run a business and invest
  • Give your children a U.S. education
  • Live in the U.S. without seeking permanent residence
  • Avoid the automatic U.S. tax on worldwide income that applies to green card holders (U.S. tax residency rules still apply)
Investment type

Invest in a new or existing U.S. business.

Special requirements
Citizenship of a country that has an E-2 treaty with the U.S., such as Grenada, Turkey, or Montenegro
At least 3 continuous years of domicile in that country before applying for the E-2 visa
Key benefits
You, your spouse, and your unmarried children under 21 can come to the U.S. to work, run a business, and study
Own a U.S. business and earn profits from it
No automatic U.S. tax on worldwide income of the kind that applies to green card holders (U.S. tax residency rules still apply)
Tuition-free public schooling for your children through high school
Limitations to consider
Requires citizenship of an E-2 treaty country and 3 full years of domicile there
Visa valid for 2–5 years — renewal depends on your U.S. business activity
Book a consultation View details
Summary

U.S. investor visa programs
compared at a glance

ProgramInvestmentOutcomeProcessing timeBest suited toDirect green card
★ EB-5 US$800,000 U.S. green card 1.5–2.5 years Investors who want a green card directly, without running a business Yes
★ EB-1C Varies by business model U.S. green card From 6 months Investors who have owned a U.S. business for at least 1 year Yes
★ L-1A Varies by business model Visa to live and work in the U.S. 3 months (as fast as 15 days) An executive or manager at a parent company abroad, relocating to run a U.S. subsidiary Indirect (via EB-1C)
★ E-2 Typically from US$100,000–150,000 Visa to live and run a business in the U.S. 6 months Families who want to live and do business in the U.S. while managing their exposure to U.S. tax on worldwide income No
★ Programs IMM Group advises on
· ← Swipe to see all columns →
Please note

IMM Group advises only on business and investor programs (EB-5, EB-1C, L-1A, E-2). We do not advise on work visas or employment-based categories for skilled or unskilled workers (EB-3, H-1B, etc.).

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IMM

Why choose IMM Group?

IMM Group is a pioneering investment migration advisory firm with deep hands-on experience, committed to transparency and integrity, and to protecting our clients' interests every step of the way. Serving with Authentic Values.

1

A pioneer guided by our mission: "Serving with Authentic Values"

  • 21+ years pioneering investment migration advisory in Vietnam (since January 2005)
  • Our first successful EB-5 application in 2008
  • Your interests come before the company's
  • Prepared to refund fees if risks beyond the client's control arise, such as a sudden program change or suspension
  • Personal information protected to the highest standards, with an NDA signed with clients
2

Professional, objective advice

  • A "professional consulting" mindset: we never push for a quick sale or advertise "fast-track green cards"
  • One of the broadest program portfolios: the U.S., Australia, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, Turkey, and New Zealand
  • The first Vietnamese firm to offer a complete global immigration advisory service
  • Solutions tailored to each family's goals, finances, experience, and aspirations
  • A "less but better" philosophy: we proactively select the clients we are right for
3

International-caliber expertise and global partners

  • Exclusive advisor: a former head of EB-5 adjudications at USCIS
  • U.S. attorneys with an "AV" rating, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards
  • Advisors certified by the Investment Migration Council (IMC), after 6 months of training and assessment in anti-money laundering, confidentiality, and client due diligence
  • An official member of IIUSA (Invest In the USA)
  • Strategic partner of leading EB-5 regional centers: EB5 Capital (every project approved to date, with capital repayment on schedule) and CanAm Enterprises (US$2.5 billion in EB-5 capital successfully repaid)
4

Recognized by governments abroad

  • The first and only Vietnamese company licensed by the governments of Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Dominica as an authorized agent to advise on and directly handle citizenship by investment applications
  • Applications handled directly with government authorities, with no intermediaries, to save time and strengthen confidentiality
  • Meets strict legal, financial, staffing, and experience standards
5

Hands-on experience and a proven track record

  • 625+ investment migration cases successfully completed
  • 2,500+ visas granted to client families
  • Many complex cases successfully resolved: EB-5 fund transfers dating back to 2008, appeals to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), EB-5 project restructurings, and complex source-of-funds cases
  • Clients report being "extremely satisfied" with our professionalism, attentiveness, and dedicated support
6

Growing with Vietnam's aspirations: the Be Better Foundation

  • Founder Tran Van Tinh established the Be Better Foundation
  • A commitment to contribute at least 51% of annual profits to the Foundation
  • Helping disadvantaged children stay in school and pursue their dream of a university education
  • 70+ students supported so far, with a goal of 1,000 by 2060
7

Our commitment to strict confidentiality

  • A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) signed with every client
  • All client information in our communications and case studies is fully anonymized
  • Strict adherence to the highest confidentiality standards
21+
Years of experience
625+
Successful cases
2.500+
Visas granted
3
Countries that have licensed us directly
IIUSA
Official member

Why your choice of advisor matters

  • EB-5 requirements are straightforward, but the petition involves a great deal of detail
  • Adjudication is rigorous and demands thorough preparation
  • Careful project selection helps manage the risk to your US$800,000 investment
  • IMM Group: 21+ years of experience, a professional team, and projects that have passed rigorous due diligence
"Serving with Authentic Values"
IMM Group's guiding principle
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