To obtain permanent residency through home purchase, primarily via the EB-5 Investment Visa, foreign investors must meet specific requirements. purchasing a home in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) with a minimum $800,000 investment (or $1 million outside TEAs) creates jobs, qualifying the investor for a green card. Some states offer alternative programs, such as New York’s EB-5 or California’s Regional Center initiatives, which streamline processing. Investors must prove legal residency, provide thorough documentation, and maintain the investment for five years.

The EB-5 program, established in 1990, accounts for 10-15% of all green cards issued annually, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 2022 data. TEA designations, which reduce investment thresholds, are critical—90% of EB-5 petitions in 2022 originated from TEAs. For example, rural or high-unemployment areas like Nevada and Texas attract significant investments. Compliance is paramount; USCIS rejected 12% of EB-5 applications in 2021 due to insufficient job creation evidence. Additionally, state-specific programs, such as Florida’s EB-5, have processed over 5,000 petitions since 2015, generating $3 billion in economic activity, per the National Association of Home Builders. These programs align with federal goals to stimulate housing markets and job growth, with 15% of foreign homebuyers in 2023 targeting investment-linked purchases, per the National Association of Realtors. Investors must consult legal experts to navigate regional requirements and ensure adherence to USCIS guidelines.