Read the general immigrant investor briefing overview
A Carignan family comparing investor pathways should list the intended applicants and relationships before comparing prices. Shared household funding does not establish derivative eligibility. An unmarried child aged 18 to 20 can still fall within the under-21 rule; assess a parent or a child aged 21 or older separately, including any applicable immigrant age-protection rule. Start by deciding whether the family needs an investment case that can meet EB-5’s capital, at-risk, job-creation, and conditional-residence requirements, or whether an applicant may independently meet the Gold Card’s EB-1 or EB-2 eligibility conditions. Gold Card is not a conventional visa; its required payment is made by the applicant to the U.S. government under official instructions, not to a project or intermediary. Hypothetical example: a family that owns a mosquito-control franchise can fund one adult’s EB-5 project but hopes to add an adult sibling through the same payment. The decision is whether that sibling has derivative status or needs an independent basis; the relationship records, age, and each person’s eligibility provide the answer.
Distinguish an EB-5 principal from derivatives
A qualifying spouse and unmarried child under 21 may seek derivative status, subject to the applicable rules and case history. The principal generally invests US$1.05 million, or US$800,000 in a qualifying targeted-employment-area or infrastructure case, with adjustments from January 1, 2027 tied to petition filing. Lawful at-risk funds, management or policymaking participation and ten qualifying full-time jobs per investor remain necessary.
Use the Gold Card family terms accurately
The official FAQ directs initial inclusion of the intended eligible spouse and unmarried children under 21. Current processing is US$15,000 nonrefundable per person; after successful vetting and instructions, the principal gift is US$1 million individually or US$2 million corporately. Each eligible joining relative adds US$1 million plus US$15,000. These terms do not turn every extended relative into a dependent.
Review any separate applicant as a separate case
An independent applicant needs their own qualifying basis, evidence and budget. Gold Card still depends on EB-1/EB-2 eligibility, admissibility and visa availability; corporate annual fees of 1% and transfer fees of 5%, including a new background check, do not guarantee replacement approval. Do not promise that shared funding or family membership solves an independent person’s eligibility.
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.