Read the general immigrant investor briefing overview
An EB-5 installment proposal and a Gold Card reimbursement promise may both defer some household spending, but they create different legal and financial obligations. A Russell applicant should identify which money is committed now and which support remains conditional.
Understand the EB-5 obligation
Qualifying at-risk capital is generally US$1.05 million, or US$800,000 for a qualifying targeted employment area or infrastructure project, with statutory adjustments starting January 1, 2027. At least ten qualifying full-time jobs per investor and management or policy-formulation participation remain required. A supported process of investing is different from an unsubstantiated promise to pay. Contractual investor repayment rights and guaranteed rates of return are excluded from qualifying capital; an enterprise’s sole-discretion buyback exception has sustainment and other conditions.
Understand the gift budget
Gold Card currently charges US$15,000 nonrefundable processing per person, with a US$1 million individual or US$2 million per corporate-sponsored employee principal gift after vetting when instructed. Each eligible spouse or unmarried child under 21 adds US$1 million plus US$15,000, including corporate cases. Corporate terms add 1% annual maintenance and 5% transfer with a new background check, without automatic replacement approval. EB-1 or EB-2 eligibility, admissibility and visa availability still apply.
Compare consequences if funding changes
A private reimbursement promise does not guarantee funds or immigration success, and a commercial installment amendment can affect an EB-5 case. Petition approval is not residence. EB-5 later requires removal-of-conditions review, generally with I-829 filed in the 90 days before the second anniversary of conditional residence; filing does not guarantee removal or repayment. The Gold Card gift provides no commercial investment return.
What else is on your mind?
Does an EB-5 immigration review tell me whether an investment is good?Is the Gold Card another name for EB-5?Should I assume one Gold Card payment covers my family?Editorial source review: 2026-09-07. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.
- USCIS — EB-5 investor program
- USCIS — business and investment visa overview
- USCIS — Child Status Protection Act
- Department of State — Visa Bulletin
- USCIS — fee schedule
- U.S. Code — INA203(b)(5) investment requirements
- 8 USC 1153 — capital, jobs and project determinations
- 8 CFR 204.6(e) — direct employee and hours definitions only
- USCIS — I-829 instructions
- Department of State — employment immigrant travel
- Official Gold Card FAQ
- 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) — full English translations