The United States has a population of about 335 million and a nominal GDP of roughly US$28–29 trillion (the world’s largest economy) and is a G7/G20 member and party to the USMCA trade agreement. Its currency is the US dollar. It is the most-represented jurisdiction in the index, with two programs and the EB-5 green card.
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Last Updated: August 3, 2026
Global Residency Programs Report: United States (EB-5)
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Introduction
United States’ EB-5 Investor Rankings Snapshot
The Global Residency Programs Index 2026 compares 48 residency pathways across five dimensions: Procedure, Mobility, Tax Optimization, Quality of Life, and Investment. The overall score provides a high-level comparison, while the individual rankings help readers identify the strengths and trade-offs most relevant to their priorities.
Index | Ranking | Score |
|---|---|---|
Overall Ranking
| 27th | 83.88 |
Procedure
| 36th | 81.48 |
Mobility
| 23rd | 96.5 |
Tax Optimization
| 47th | 58.33 |
Quality of Life
| 26th | 80.64 |
Investment
| 48th | 66.52 |
United States’ EB-5 Investor at Glance
United States’ EB-5 Investor is the program name used in this index. Its formal basis is Immigration and Nationality Act § 203(b)(5); 8 U.S.C. § 1153(b)(5), as amended by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. The route is intended for qualifying applicants who meet the relevant investment or financial criteria, with an indicative minimum threshold of USD $800,000 (TEA) / $1,050,000 and estimated processing of 2–4+ years.
Category | Details |
|---|---|
Legal Provision
| Immigration and Nationality Act § 203(b)(5); 8 U.S.C. § 1153(b)(5), as amended by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. |
Region
| North America |
Minimum Investment Threshold
| USD $800,000 (TEA) / $1,050,000 |
Year of Inception
| 1990 |
Visa-free Countries
| 178 = 110 (visa-free destinations) + 68 (visa on arrival/ETA) |
Investment Options
| Under the United States EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, foreign nationals can secure a direct pathway to permanent residency for themselves, their spouse and unmarried children under 21 by injecting capital into a new commercial enterprise that promotes domestic economic growth. To qualify, applicants must pass a rigorous financial audit proving the fully legal source of their funds and fulfil one of two statutory investment thresholds: USD 1,050,000 for projects located in standard (non-targeted) areas, or a reduced USD 800,000 if the capital is deployed via a government-approved Regional Center into a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) categorised as a high-unemployment or rural zone. The investment must actively create or preserve at least 10 permanent, full-time jobs for qualified US workers within a strict regulatory timeframe. On approval, investors are granted a conditional green card valid for an initial two years; at the end of this period the conditions are permanently removed — without affecting the resident’s freedom to live or work anywhere in the country — provided they demonstrate to US immigration authorities that the requisite jobs were sustained and the capital remained at risk for the duration of the project. |
Physical Presence Requirements
| Maintain US residence (green card) |
Family Member Inclusion
| Spouse, unmarried children under 21 |
Dual Citizenship Allowed
| Yes |
Path to Citizenship
| 5 years (after green card) |
Average Processing Time
| 2–4+ years |
Conclusion
The 2026 Global Residency Programs Index makes one thing clear: there is no single best programme, only the best fit for a given set of priorities. A decade of reform has left the sector more transparent, more compliance-driven and more diverse in the routes it offers (from regulated funds and entrepreneurial ventures to lifestyle and long-stay options) so that residency has matured into a credible, durable planning tool rather than a shortcut. Whether the goal is mobility, tax efficiency, quality of life or an eventual second passport, the value of this 2026 GRP Index lies in matching the right route to the right objective, grounded in evidence rather than marketing.
Footnotes
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