Reviewed by Jane Katkova, Founder & Licensed CICC ConsultantKey points
- Canadians are eligible for EB-5, and Canada has no EB-5 backlog.
- Applicants in Canada process through the US consulate in Montreal.
- A green card makes the holder a US tax resident on worldwide income.
- E-2 and TN are work visas that never become permanent on their own.
EB-5 eligibility and filing routes for Canadians
Canadian citizens can use EB-5, and Canada has no EB-5 backlog. The filing route depends on where you are:
- Inside the US in valid status: file the I-485 together with the I-526E.
- In Canada: process through the US consulate in Montreal once the petition is approved.
The investment is US$800,000 in a targeted employment area project, or US$1,050,000 elsewhere, creating 10 full-time US jobs. One investment covers you, your spouse and your unmarried children under 21. The capital must remain at risk, so repayment is not guaranteed. Our guide to the EB-5 visa for Canadians covers the steps.
Tax consequences on both sides of the border
A green card makes you a US tax resident on worldwide income from the day the card issues. Leaving Canada triggers departure tax, and the treaty has to be planned for before you move. Permanent residence is for people who reside in the US; long absences can be treated as abandonment.
EB-5 compared with E-2 and TN status
E-2 and TN are non-immigrant work visas. They are renewable, but neither ends in a green card without another petition. EB-5 is the only US investor visa that ends in a green card, and the EB-5 green card leads to citizenship: you can apply to naturalise five years after the conditional card was issued. Canada permits dual citizenship, so a Canadian keeps both.
The US options are compared on our US investor visa and green card page. To plan the immigration filing and the Canadian exit together, book a consultation with our Toronto office.
People also ask
How long does the EB-5 visa take from filing to green card in 2026?
Rural I-526E petitions average about 9.6 months, with 77% decided within a year. The overall I-526E average is about 35 months; high-unemployment petitions run 17–52 months and unreserved 30–61. Add consular processing or I-485, two years of conditional residence, and about 20 months for the I-829.
How long does it take to get Portuguese citizenship through residence?
Ten years of legal residence, counted from your first residence card, under the Nationality Law in force since 19 May 2026. EU and CPLP nationals qualify after seven years. You also need A2 Portuguese and a clean record. Applications lodged before 19 May 2026 follow the old five-year rule.
Can you still get a Portugal golden visa by buying property?
No. Real estate and real-estate funds were removed from the Portugal golden visa on 7 October 2023. The routes in 2026 are a €500,000 CMVM-registered fund, €500,000 in research, a €250,000 cultural donation (€200,000 in low-density areas) and company or job-creation routes. You may buy a home, but it will not count.
How much does the Greece golden visa cost in 2026?
From €250,000 for an approved commercial-to-residential conversion or listed-building restoration, €400,000 for a standard home in most of Greece, and €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands with more than 3,100 residents. Add about 3.09% transfer tax, 3–4% notary and legal fees, and about €2,000 state fee per adult.
Can you rent out a Greece golden visa property on Airbnb?
No. Long-term lets are allowed, but short-term rental on Airbnb-style platforms is banned for Greece golden visa property. The fine is €50,000 and the residence permit can be revoked. Plan your yield on annual tenancies, not tourist lets, and expect a Greek property tax bill (ENFIA) plus tax on any Greek rental income.