EB-5 U.S. Immigration Program – Green Cards for the Entire Familyh

The principal investor, their lawful spouse, and unmarried children under the age of 21 may all obtain U.S. permanent resident status through a single Form I-526E petition. Once the EB-5 application is approved and immigrant visas are issued, the entire family receives a two-year conditional Green Card. Upon satisfying the program requirements, investors may file Form I-829 to remove conditions and obtain permanent 10-year Green Cards.

Under U.S. immigration law, USCIS classifies the spouse and qualifying children of the principal investor as derivative beneficiaries. These family members are automatically included in the principal investor’s I-526E petition and are not required to file separate EB-5 petitions.

One of the most significant protections available to EB-5 families is the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). Under certain circumstances, the CSPA allows a child’s immigration age to be protected for eligibility purposes, helping reduce the risk of aging out during the adjudication process. This protection is particularly important for families with children between the ages of 18 and 20, as EB-5 processing timelines may extend over several years depending on visa availability and USCIS processing times.

Since 2015, Interimm has assisted investors across more than 60 EB-5 projects. Based on adjudicated cases, Interimm has achieved a 100% approval rate for both I-526E and I-829 petitions, supporting investors and their families throughout the entire immigration journey, from petition filing to the successful acquisition of permanent Green Cards.

Unlike many family-based immigration categories that require separate petitions for individual family members and often involve lengthy waiting periods, the EB-5 Program enables the principal investor and eligible immediate family members to immigrate together under a single petition.

It is important to note that children who are already 21 years of age or older, or who are married at the time the I-526E petition is filed, are generally not eligible as derivative beneficiaries under the EB-5 application. In such cases, they may become eligible for family-sponsored immigration benefits in the future after the parents obtain U.S. citizenship, typically through categories such as F1 (unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens) or F3 (married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens).

EB-5 investors and their eligible family members have the right to live, work, study, and conduct business throughout all 50 U.S. states and five U.S. territories without restrictions on occupation, employer sponsorship, or the need for a separate work authorization. Permanent residents may establish businesses, open personal and corporate bank accounts, build credit history, access the U.S. financial system, and travel internationally using their Green Cards.

The rights and privileges associated with EB-5 permanent residency can generally be categorized into three key areas:

Business and Investment Opportunities

EB-5 permanent residents may establish and operate businesses under common U.S. corporate structures such as Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and Corporations. They may open business banking accounts, build personal and commercial credit profiles, and access a wide range of financing options available in the U.S. market, including programs supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Unlike certain visa categories that restrict employment or business activities, EB-5 permanent residents are free to pursue virtually any lawful business or professional endeavor.

International Travel Flexibility

A Green Card serves as valid evidence of lawful permanent resident status and allows holders to enter and re-enter the United States without obtaining a new visa for each trip. Permanent residents who anticipate extended periods abroad may apply for a Reentry Permit, which generally allows them to remain outside the United States for up to two years while preserving their permanent resident status. By contrast, temporary visa holders under categories such as H-1B, L-1, or F-1 must maintain valid visa status for each entry into the United States and remain subject to the conditions of their underlying nonimmigrant classifications.

Rights Similar to Those of U.S. Citizens

EB-5 permanent residents enjoy many of the same rights and benefits available to U.S. citizens, including the ability to live, work, study, own property, establish businesses, and access many federal, state, and local programs for which they qualify. However, certain rights remain reserved exclusively for U.S. citizens, including the right to vote in federal elections and the ability to petition for certain family members, such as parents and siblings, under family-based immigration categories. These benefits become available after an investor successfully naturalizes as a U.S. citizen, which is typically possible after meeting the applicable residency and eligibility requirements.

The United States remains the world’s largest economy, with a GDP of approximately USD 29.18 trillion in 2024 and a labor force of roughly 170 million people. As lawful permanent residents, EB-5 investors are free to participate fully in this economic environment without being tied to a specific employer, educational institution, or business sponsor. Unlike employment-based visas that depend on employer sponsorship, business visas that require periodic renewals, or student visas that impose work restrictions, the EB-5 Program provides long-term residency rights and the freedom to pursue personal, professional, and entrepreneurial goals independently throughout the United States.

Children of U.S. lawful permanent residents are eligible to attend public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade tuition-free. They may also qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities, significantly reducing the cost of higher education compared to international or out-of-state students. In addition, permanent resident children may access a range of academic and career pathways that are often unavailable to nonimmigrant visa holders.

According to the College Board’s Trends in College Pricing 2025, the average annual tuition and fees at a four-year public university are approximately USD 11,950 for in-state students, compared with approximately USD 31,880 for out-of-state and international students. Over the course of a four-year degree, this difference may result in tuition savings of approximately USD 79,720 per child, excluding housing, living expenses, books, and other educational costs.

Children of lawful permanent residents may also be eligible to apply for federal student aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), subject to applicable eligibility requirements. In addition, they can pursue academic and professional opportunities that may be restricted for international students, including certain programs in medicine, law, government, defense, and research. Permanent residents may also qualify for opportunities such as Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships and selected internships or training programs offered by U.S. government agencies and federally funded institutions, depending on the specific eligibility criteria of each program.

By contrast, international students studying under F-1 status generally face limitations regarding federal financial aid eligibility and access to certain government-sponsored educational and career programs.

The United States is home to many of the world’s leading universities and research institutions. According to the QS World University Rankings 2026, multiple U.S. universities are ranked among the global top 10 and top 50. Through the EB-5 Program, investors’ children may access this world-class education system as lawful permanent residents, benefiting from the educational opportunities and tuition advantages available to U.S. residents from an early stage of their academic journey.

EB-5 investors and their eligible family members gain access to the U.S. healthcare and social support systems upon obtaining lawful permanent resident status. As Green Card holders, they may benefit from a wide range of healthcare coverage options, retirement programs, and public benefits, subject to applicable federal and state eligibility requirements.

Three of the most significant long-term benefits include access to health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, participation in the U.S. Social Security system through qualifying employment, and potential eligibility for programs such as Medicare and Medicaid after satisfying applicable residency and eligibility requirements.

Access to ACA Health Insurance Coverage

Through the Health Insurance Marketplace administered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), lawful permanent residents may purchase private health insurance plans and, depending on household income and family size, may qualify for premium tax credits that help reduce monthly insurance costs. These subsidies can significantly lower healthcare expenses compared to purchasing private insurance without financial assistance.

Participation in the U.S. Social Security System

Social Security is the federal retirement and disability insurance system of the United States. Permanent residents who work legally in the U.S. contribute to the system through payroll taxes and earn Social Security credits based on their employment history. Individuals generally become eligible for retirement benefits after accumulating 40 credits, which typically corresponds to approximately 10 years of qualifying employment.

Because the United States and Vietnam do not currently have a bilateral Social Security Totalization Agreement, employment history accumulated in Vietnam generally cannot be combined with U.S. Social Security credits for benefit eligibility purposes.

Potential Eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid

After meeting applicable residency and program requirements, permanent residents may become eligible for Medicare, the federal health insurance program primarily designed for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as Medicaid, a healthcare assistance program for qualifying low-income individuals and families. Eligibility criteria vary depending on age, income level, work history, and state-specific regulations.

Healthcare costs in the United States remain among the highest in the world. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), national healthcare spending averaged approximately USD 15,474 per person in 2024. As a result, access to ACA Marketplace plans, Medicare, and other healthcare programs can play an important role in long-term financial planning for immigrant families.

Certain federal assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), may impose additional eligibility requirements or waiting periods for lawful permanent residents. Investors should therefore consider these timelines when planning their transition to life in the United States.

Unlike many temporary visa holders who may have limited access to public benefits and often rely exclusively on unsubsidized private insurance coverage, EB-5 investors who become lawful permanent residents gain access to a broad range of healthcare and social support programs that form an integral part of the U.S. social safety net.

After maintaining lawful permanent resident status and satisfying all applicable residency and naturalization requirements, EB-5 investors and their eligible family members may become eligible to file Form N-400 to apply for U.S. citizenship. Upon successful naturalization, they gain access to the full rights and privileges of U.S. citizenship, including the ability to obtain a U.S. passport, participate in federal and state elections, and sponsor additional family members under U.S. immigration law.

Compared with lawful permanent residents, U.S. citizens enjoy several important additional rights and protections. These include the right to vote in federal, state, and local elections, the ability to petition for certain family members such as parents and siblings under family-based immigration categories, and enhanced protection from losing immigration status due to extended periods spent outside the United States.

A U.S. passport is consistently ranked among the world’s most powerful travel documents, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a large number of countries and territories worldwide. Naturalization therefore not only strengthens long-term security in the United States but also expands international mobility opportunities for the entire family.

For Vietnamese nationals, dual citizenship considerations may also be relevant. Vietnam’s Law on Nationality permits dual nationality in certain circumstances, subject to applicable legal requirements and government approval where required. Investors should seek qualified legal advice regarding nationality matters in both the United States and Vietnam before making decisions related to citizenship.

The EB-5 Program therefore offers more than a pathway to permanent residency. For families seeking long-term stability, global mobility, and future opportunities for the next generation, it can also provide a clear route toward U.S. citizenship and the full benefits that accompany it.