Investor Green Cards in Texas: Pathways for Entrepreneurs and Business Growth

Texas is a land of opportunity for entrepreneurs. With a strong economy, low taxes, and a growing population, it offers an ideal environment for starting or expanding a business. For international investors looking to build a successful future in the U.S., investor green cards can open the door to permanent residency and long-term business growth.

What Are Investor Green Cards?

Investor green cards allow foreign entrepreneurs to live and work permanently in the United States by investing in a business that supports job creation and business growth. It’s a smart way to expand into the U.S. market, especially in a business-friendly state like Texas.

While there are different paths to obtaining investor green cards, they all share one goal: encouraging investment that benefits both the immigrant and the U.S. economy.

EB-5 Program: The Main Path to Investor Green Cards

The EB-5 visa is the most common way for foreign entrepreneurs to obtain investor green cards in the United States. It requires a qualifying investment in a U.S. business and the creation of full-time jobs for American workers. Many investors choose this program to establish permanent residency and pursue business growth in Texas.

To qualify for an EB-5 investor green card, you must meet the following requirements:

Investment Amount

To qualify, you must invest either $1.05 million in a new U.S. business or $800,000 if the business is located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). TEAs include rural regions and areas with high unemployment where economic development is especially needed.

Job Creation

Your investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. These jobs must be sustained for a minimum of two years and play a central role in supporting your eligibility for an investor green card.

Type of Business

You can invest in a new commercial enterprise that you actively manage, or choose a more passive route by investing through an EB-5 Regional Center. Regional Centers handle the business and job creation requirements, making the process easier for investors who want less day-to-day involvement.

Once approved, you and your eligible family members will receive conditional investor green cards valid for two years. After meeting the program’s requirements, you can apply to remove the conditions and receive permanent investor green cards, allowing you to build a long-term future—and grow your business—in Texas.

Alternatives to the EB-5 Investor Green Card

While the EB-5 program is the most direct path to a U.S. investor green card, there are other visa options that may still support your business growth in Texas.

E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa allows foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S. by investing in and running a business. To qualify, you must be a citizen of a country that has a trade and investment treaty with the United States. Unlike investor green cards, the E-2 is a non-immigrant visa, which means it does not directly lead to permanent residency. However, it can be renewed indefinitely as long as your business stays active and continues to meet visa requirements.

For entrepreneurs seeking business growth in Texas, the E-2 visa can be a great starting point—especially if you want to test the market or grow a new company without committing to the full green card process right away.

L-1 Visa to Green Card

The L-1 visa is available to foreign business owners, executives, or managers who want to expand their company into the United States. To qualify, you must have worked for a related business abroad for at least one year and plan to open or transfer to a U.S. branch.

While the L-1 is a temporary visa, it can lead to permanent residency by transitioning to a green card through the EB-1C visa category. Although it’s not an investor green card by itself, this path allows entrepreneurs to establish their presence in the U.S., grow their business, and eventually gain long-term residency—all while supporting business growth in Texas.

What Entrepreneurs in Texas Should Know

If you’re an entrepreneur in Texas and interested in applying for investor green cards, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

• Start the process early: Preparing the application and gathering documents takes time. Give yourself several months to plan.
• Organize your documents: You’ll need to prove the source of your investment money and show that your business plan meets the EB-5 program requirements.
• Select the right business: Your business should have the potential to succeed and must create at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs.
• Get professional help: U.S. immigration and investment rules are detailed and complicated. A skilled immigration attorney can make the process easier and help you avoid mistakes.

At Davis & Associates, we support entrepreneurs in Dallas and Houston who want to apply for investor green cards. We make sure every part of your application supports your goals and complies with U.S. immigration law—so you can focus on building your business and securing long-term business growth.

If you’re ready to invest in your future in Texas, now is the time to explore your options. Contact one of our offices in Dallas or Houston today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you take the next step.