US Investor Visa for Africans – $1M Requirement & Congress 2025 Update

Last Updated on September 23, 2025 by Bianca Clinton, Partner at Clinton Consultancy – Qualified Solicitor (Ghana, England & Wales)

US Investor Visa – EB-5 Explained for African Clients

The United States EB-5 Investor Visa offers African investors and their families a pathway to permanent residency and eventual U.S. citizenship. This visa was designed to attract foreign capital and create jobs for U.S. workers, while providing investors and their dependants with the benefits of a U.S. Green Card.

What is the EB-5 Investor Visa?

The EB-5 Visa program, established in 1990, allows foreign nationals to obtain lawful permanent residence (a Green Card) by investing in qualified U.S. commercial enterprises. The program’s objectives are to:

• Stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation.
• Attract international investors.
• Provide a residency option for entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals.

Successful applicants and their families can live, work, and study anywhere in the United States, and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship.

$1 Million Minimum Investment – Current Rules

As of 2025, the minimum investment requirement is $1 million USD. This must be directed into a new commercial enterprise in the United States that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers.

For investments made in designated Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) – rural areas or regions with high unemployment – the threshold may be lower (historically $500,000, though amounts vary depending on updated USCIS rules).

Proposed $2 Million Increase – 2025 Congressional Review

In 2025, the U.S. Congress is reviewing proposals to increase the EB-5 investment requirement to $2 million USD. This update aims to align the program with inflation and evolving economic priorities.

African investors considering the EB-5 Visa should act quickly to take advantage of the current $1 million threshold before the proposed increase takes effect. Early applications may be “grandfathered” under today’s rules, offering a significant financial advantage.

Who Qualifies and How Africans Can Apply

The EB-5 program is open to applicants worldwide. African investors, particularly from Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, are increasingly using this pathway to secure a U.S. Green Card for themselves and their families.

How Bianca Clinton Assists African Investors

At Clinton Consultancy, we specialise in guiding African investors through the complex EB-5 process. As the former Country Head for Ghana of British company Henley & Partners – the experience helped and continues to help many people in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria gain knowledge and access to international residence and citizenship covering the United States. With offices in Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, we provide:

• Due diligence on EB-5 Regional Center projects.
• Legal review to ensure compliance with USCIS rules.
• Document preparation (source of funds, application forms).
• Strategic timing advice on filing before U.S. Congressional changes.
• Ongoing support for families relocating to the United States.

Our dual-qualified solicitor, Bianca Clinton, has years of experience assisting African entrepreneurs and investors in achieving global mobility and citizenship. Next Steps

If you are an African investor seeking U.S. residency through the EB-5 Investor Visa, early action is crucial.

Contact Bianca Clinton today at:

Bianca@ClintonConsultancy.com

+44 7425 700 696 (UK)

+233 59 261 1535 (Ghana)