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EB-5 Program for International Students Studying in the U.S.

  • Dec 22, 2025
  • 4 min read

From F1 to EB-5 


If you’re studying in the U.S., you’ve probably wondered how to stay here after graduation — to work, build a career, and start your life.


The truth is, getting a Green Card isn’t easy. Most people qualify through:

  • Employment

  • Marriage

  • Green Card lottery

  • Or the EB-5 investor program


For options like employment or marriage, you need a sponsor — either an employer or a partner. And let’s be honest, the chance of winning the Green Card lottery is less than 1%. That’s why it’s worth looking at the EB-5 Program, which allows you to apply for a Green Card independently, without needing any sponsor.



What Is the EB-5 Program?

The EB-5 program gives foreign investors a chance to get a U.S. Green Card by investing at least $800,000 in a U.S. business or project that creates at least 10 American jobs.


At first, this might sound like something only big business owners can do. But many EB-5 investors are actually students — often with help from their families.

Usually, parents provide the funds for the investment and work with an immigration attorney to prepare the application. This way, students can start their Green Card process early, even while studying.



Main Questions Students Ask

  1. What are the main requirements? You must:

    1. Invest at least $800,000 in an approved EB-5 project.

    2. Prove the lawful source of your investment funds.

    3. Have no serious criminal record or immigration violations in the U.S. or your home country.

  2. Where can a student get $800,000? It doesn’t have to come directly from the student. It can be a gift or a loan from parents, relatives, or even close family friends. Whoever provides the money must show proof of how they earned it.

  3. Is $800,000 the cost of the Green Card? No. It’s an investment, not a payment. If you choose a strong project, you can get your funds back in about 4–6 years.

  4. How do I create the 10 jobs required by the program? If you invest through a Regional Center, you don’t need to personally create the jobs. The Regional Center manages the project and takes care of all the job creation requirements for you.

  5. What are the extra costs? Expect $60,000–$150,000 in additional fees — for lawyers, government forms, translations, and project administration.

  6. Can I include my family?

    • If you’re under 21, your parents can apply under their name, and the whole family (spouse + kids under 21) can get Green Cards.

    • If you’re over 21, you’ll apply on your own. You can later bring your parents once you become a U.S. citizen (usually 8–10 years after starting).

  7. When is it better to apply for the EB-5 Program — while I’m still studying or after I finish my studies? If you’re already in the U.S., you can apply while studying or toward the end of your studies. The advantage of applying earlier is that by the time you graduate, you may already have your Green Card, which makes finding a job much easier.



EB-5 Process Step by Step


  1. Choose your immigration attorney and project. Work only with licensed professionals and USCIS-approved projects.

  2. Prepare your application and transfer your investment funds.

  3. File your EB-5 petition (Form I-526E). If you’re already in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, you have two choices:

    • File only the I-526E petition, stay on F-1 until approval, then adjust status.

    • Or file both I-526E and I-485 (Adjustment of Status) at the same time (  After filing for Adjustment of Status, you’ll receive in 4 - 8 months:  EAD (Employment Authorization Document) – allows legal work in the U.S.,  and in 6 - 12 months Advance Parole which lets you travel internationally.) 

  4. Note: If you file both and your I-526E is denied, your F-1 status ends too. So if your visa still has time, it’s often safer to wait for approval first.

  5. 5. Receive your conditional Green Card (valid for 2 years). Processing time for I-526E: 6–24 months.After approval, whether you filed your adjustment of status together with your I-526E or after its approval, it may take another 6–12 months to receive your Green Card.

  6. 6. Live in the U.S. with your conditional Green Card for 2 years.

  7. 7. File Form I-829 to remove conditions and prove job creation (your project or Regional Center provides this evidence). 

  8. 8. Get your permanent Green Card. Processing time for I-829: 24–48 months. While your I-829 petition is under review, your resident status remains active, so you can continue living and working in the U.S. without interruption. This Green Card is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.

  9. 9. Apply for U.S. citizenship. After 5 years of living in the U.S. as a Green Card holder, you can apply to become a U.S. citizen.



Final Thoughts


The EB-5 Program isn’t just for wealthy business owners — it’s a real path for international students whose families want to help them build a future in the U.S. Our team structures the EB-5 project in a growing sector of sports facilities in Texas. You can check open projects for EB-5 investment here. 


If you think this could be an option for you or your family:

Download the full presentation

Schedule a consultation

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