EB-5 FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS
Applying for yourself—or helping your child apply? A parental gift can fund the student’s EB-5 investment. Eligible applicants in the U.S. may obtain a separate work permit before EB-5 approval. Once valid, it generally allows internships and jobs without H-1B sponsorship. Qualifying investment from $800,000, plus fees.
Advising families since 2013. Your main point of contact from Dubai & London, coordinating immigration preparation, investment support and settlement planning.
Discuss the applicant, funding and timing questions for your situation. Free, with no obligation.
EB-5 FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS
With a valid adjustment-based work permit, an eligible student can generally work beyond OPT restrictions while EB-5 is pending. A Green Card provides a longer-term basis to live and work in the U.S.
A student can apply as the principal investor using a genuine parental gift. We coordinate the documents; one of our recommended attorneys reviews the donor’s lawful source and the transfer path. Parents are not included as derivatives on that application.
Eligible applicants with a pending I-485 may obtain an EAD while the EB-5 petition is pending. Start work only with valid authorisation. We coordinate a review of F-1 status, travel and fallback plans before you make changes.
Permanent residence can broaden work and study choices. Employers and universities apply their own hiring, admission, tuition and financial-aid rules.
Our own clients’ track record
Multiple clients we have advised have completed the full EB-5 cycle: conditional residence, removal of conditions and return of their investment capital. Some have also become U.S. citizens.
100% approval recordOur adjudicated EB-5 applications, to date.
Historical outcomes for our own clients.
Residency First helped us with our decision on EB-5, choosing an appropriate qualifying project, in ongoing engagement with the regional centre as the project milestones changed, and with introductions and engagement of a very good lawfirm. Their hand holding and engagement thru the process until receipt of the green card has been excellent.
HOW EB-5 WORKS
A qualifying investment, evidence of job creation, and an immigration application. Understand all three before you choose a project.
In a qualifying TEA or infrastructure investment; $1,050,000 otherwise. Administrative, legal and government fees are additional.
Your investment must support at least 10 qualifying full-time positions. We coordinate a legal review of the job model, allocation and evidence.
A student can be the principal investor, including when using a parental gift. Parents are not derivatives on that application. Initial residence is conditional for two years.
Requirements reviewed 15 October 2026. 8 U.S.C. § 1153(b)(5) · USCIS EB-5 overview.
TIMING DESERVES A PLAN
In the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, all three EB-5 reserved categories are current for all listed countries. Current does not mean immediate approval; availability can change.
Eligible applicants may file I-485 while the EB-5 petition is pending and request a separate work permit. Once approved and valid, that permit generally allows internships and jobs without H-1B sponsorship. Filing alone does not authorise work or travel.
Budget the qualifying investment and all fees. Statutory inflation adjustments begin on 1 January 2027. Speak to us to coordinate a check of the rules applying to your filing.
October 2026 Visa Bulletin · Filing requirements explained. No processing time is promised.
WHY RESIDENCY FIRST
We remain your main point of contact, discuss the family, funding and timing questions, and coordinate the specialist reviews needed.
We coordinate the records and follow-up. One of our recommended attorneys carries out source-of-funds and legal document reviews; financial specialists assess investment questions.
Stay in contact with us for specialist communication, immigration updates and settlement planning, within your agreed engagement.
Legal advice is provided by the retained attorney; independent financial and tax professionals advise in their fields. Request our written scope, fees, attorney engagement terms and any project-related compensation before engaging.
Discuss how we can helpTHE HONEST PART
U.S. law requires EB-5 capital to be at risk. You can lose some or all of your investment. No adviser can promise a Green Card or the return of your money.
What a serious review can do is ask the difficult questions early: Who is funding the project? How are jobs calculated? What could delay completion? Where do you stand if the project fails? We coordinate the document review with a recommended attorney and the appropriate independent financial specialists before you commit.
Escrow and an anticipated repayment date do not guarantee capital protection.
Questions to ask before investing →You make the final investment decision, based on your circumstances, the project documents and independent advice.
BEFORE YOU ASK
A genuine parental gift can be an eligible funding source. We coordinate the documents and follow-up; one of our recommended attorneys reviews the donor’s lawful source, the gift and the path of funds. For minors, legal capacity and investment arrangements also need specialist review.
No. An EB-5 petition does not grant work permission. An eligible applicant with a pending adjustment application may apply separately for an EAD, and must have valid work authorisation before starting work.
Parents and siblings cannot be derivatives on a student’s EB-5 application. Discuss who should be the principal investor and which family members could qualify before moving money.
$800,000 for a qualifying TEA or infrastructure investment, or $1,050,000 otherwise. Legal, administrative and government fees are additional. Ask for a written breakdown of the whole commitment.
There is no single reliable timetable. Petition adjudication, visa availability, country of chargeability and consular or adjustment processing all matter. Current visa categories do not mean immediate Green Cards. Ask for a plan that makes its assumptions clear.
A valid adjustment-based EAD generally allows employment without an H-1B petition. The permit must be approved and valid; a pending EB-5 petition alone does not authorise work. Employers still decide whom to hire.
YOUR FAMILY’S NEXT CHAPTER
Speak to us as the student applicant or a parent supporting the application. Bring study dates, current status and funding questions; start by checking eligibility.
Use the free student preparation checklist →
Free to use. No email address needed.
Discuss the applicant, funding and timing questions for your situation. Free, with no obligation.
