U.S. dollarWhile most investors may think a capital investment always refers to cash, it can also refer to inventory, equipment and other tangible property that is owned by the foreign investor. The capital investment for the EB-5 Visa program is valued in U.S. dollars at a fair market value.

As a rule, the investor has to invest US $1.8 million plus the processing overhead cost, legal and filing fees. If the investor invests in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), the minimum investment amount is US $900,000 plus the processing overhead cost, legal and filing fees. Typically, a TEA is not located in a metropolis and is a rural area where the unemployment rate is a minimum 150 percent of the national average and the population is 20,000 or more. Investment in Targeted Employment Area can be done only through a government-approved regional center.