South Africans entering the United States via the EB-5 Program totalled 125 for the fiscal year 2025 through 31 March, placing sixth among countries in this visa category.
Leading the list was China, which accounted for 54% of all EB-5 visas over the past year, followed by Vietnam, India, Taiwan, and South Korea.
The US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a fast track to permanent resident status (a green card).
Qualified investors and their families worldwide have secured legal permanent residency through this program.
Investment requirements:
- $800,000 minimum investment (previously over $500,000), roughly between R9 million and nearly R15 million at entry level.
Key benefit:
- Eligibility for US citizenship after five years of legal residence.
Over 500 wealthy South Africans have invested and relocated their families to the US through EB-5 over the last decade, excluding the Covid-affected year of 2021.
Applicants must invest in a new commercial enterprise affiliated with government-approved regional centers that promote economic growth. The program requires either:
- $1,050,000 investment into a non-targeted employment area project, or
- $800,000 investment into a targeted employment area (rural or high-unemployment zone).
Additionally, applicants must create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified US workers and prove the legal source of their funds.
Following approval, the investment must remain for three to seven years depending on the project. Successful applicants receive conditional green cards valid for two years, which become permanent after demonstrating job creation or preservation. The transition from conditional to permanent green card does not restrict rights in the US.
In 2024, the US gained roughly 3,800 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) through migration – including 95 centi-millionaires and 10 billionaires.
Many were founders, CEOs, and investors attracted to America’s innovation-driven economy and dynamic cities. Low-tax states like Florida and Texas are especially popular, while California continues to draw elite tech talent worldwide.
Henley & Partners data reveals a 183% rise in inquiries from US nationals seeking alternative residence and citizenship abroad between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025.
The firm also recorded a 39% increase in US investor inquiries in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024, indicating sustained growth beyond the initial election surge.
While wealthy Americans explore options abroad, the US remains a magnet for foreign investors through initiatives like the EB-5 Program.
Since 1990, EB-5 has generated over $55 billion in foreign direct investment, created approximately 1.4 million jobs, and contributed billions in tax revenue.
Henley & Partners reports a 325% increase in EB-5 inquiries between 2019 and 2024, with a further 57% rise in Q1 2025 versus Q1 2024, and an impressive 168% jump compared to Q4 2024. EB-5 is now the fourth most inquired-about residence program.
This momentum is boosted by former president Donald Trump’s proposed ‘Gold Card,’ promising a fast track to US citizenship for a $5 million investment or contribution. Still in development, this initiative signals strong recognition of investment migration’s benefits by a leading global nation.
Home to over six million HNWIs (with investable wealth of $1 million+), the US controls 34% of global liquid private wealth and hosts 37% of the world’s millionaires—more than Johannesburg’s entire population.
This wealth dominance extends across all tiers, with the US holding 36% of the world’s centi-millionaires ($100 million+) and 33% of its billionaires, according to the USA Wealth Report 2025, published by Henley & Partners with New World Wealth.
Despite remaining a top destination for global wealth migration, increasing numbers of affluent Americans are seeking residence and citizenship abroad.
So far in 2025, US citizens account for over 30% of investment migration applications via Henley & Partners—nearly double the combined total of the next five investor nationalities, including Turkey, India, and the UK.
Inside America’s wealthiest cities:
The USA Wealth Report 2025 highlights traditional wealth hubs alongside emerging urban centres. New York City remains the wealthiest in the US and world, with 384,500 millionaires, followed by San Francisco.
Los Angeles ranks third with 220,600 millionaires, growing 35% over the decade.
Chicago, Houston, and Dallas follow, all showing strong growth: Dallas by 85%, Houston by 75%. Seattle, Boston, Miami, and Austin are also gaining ground, with Miami and Austin growing 94% and 90% respectively.
Scottsdale stands out as the fastest-growing wealth hub, with a 125% increase in millionaires between 2014 and 2024, driven by its expanding tech sector. West Palm Beach trails with a 112% rise.
Andrew Amoils, head of research at New World Wealth, said: “America is the undisputed world leader when it comes to high-growth tech sectors such as software, microchips, online retail, internet hosting, social media, search engines and AI. As a result of this dominance, many tech entrepreneurs choose to move to the country in order to take their businesses to the next level.”
“Trade tensions and shifting economic priorities are driving HNWIs towards more business-friendly environments, with cities like Tampa, Salt Lake City, Denver and Santa Fe emerging as attractive alternatives thanks to their affordability, lifestyle appeal, and investment potential,” he said.
