American Flag flying in fore-front with City of Los Angeles in background on sunny day

The United States EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program (employment-based, fifth preference category or EB-5) was created by the Immigration Act of 1990 to provide a method for eligible immigrant investors to become lawful permanent residents by investments in businesses or development projects in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA), areas with extremely high unemployment as compared to the national average.
  • Individuals must invest at least $1.8 million into new commercial enterprises within areas of high unemployment
  • If the new commercial enterprise is in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), the required investment is decreased to a minimum of $900,000 (TEAs are areas with unemployment rates at least 150% the national average)
  • An applicant seeking an EB-5 Visa must demonstrate that the investment will benefit the United States Economy and create full time employment for at least 10 qualified individuals, or maintain existing employees in a troubled business
The City of Los Angeles requests the following information be submitted for the EB-5 approval letter:
  • Amount of Capital Invested
  • Jobs Created (full and part time)
  • Time Line
  • Renderings
City staff will conduct a site inspection of the proposed development site. For more information, contact Alex Lakshtanov, EWDD Industrial and Commercial Finance Officer, at 213-978-9368 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Additional information about the EB-5 Program is available on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website at USCIS.gov.