Can I invest in a new consulting firm and use that investment to apply for EB5?

Answer

It is possible to make an EB5 investment in a consulting firm, but it can present a number of challenges.

One potential issue, in particular, is if you wish to have the business located in a high unemployment or rural targeted employment area (TEA). To meet this requirement, not only must the business be located in the TEA, but it also must create at least 10 new jobs within the TEA. Many consulting firms, however, have employees scattered throughout the country.

If the company will not create sufficient jobs within the TEA, it can still qualify under the “unreserved” EB5 category, but this would require an investment of at least $1,000,500; and, if your country of birth is China or India, there are backlogs in the EB5 unreserved category. (11.Nov.2025)

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