How to read the layers of financing behind any EB-5 project.
Last updated: August 2026Reviewed by: EB5SETU Editorial TeamScheduled review: February 2027
A project's capital stack is the full layered structure of its financing. Learning to read one helps you evaluate where EB-5 capital actually sits:
- Developer equity
- EB-5 capital
- Senior financing
- Equipment financing
- Bridge financing
- Total project cost
- EB-5 percentage of total capitalization
- Lien priority
- Guarantees
- Collateral
- Completion support
- Cost-overrun responsibility
Understanding these terms — and asking where EB-5 capital ranks relative to senior debt — is one of the clearest signals of a sophisticated, transparent sponsor. See our project due-diligence guide for the specific questions to ask.
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, tax, or investment advice. It does not describe the terms of any specific offering. EB-5 law, USCIS policy, and Visa Bulletin availability change over time — confirm current requirements with USCIS, the U.S. Department of State, and your own independent immigration, securities, and tax advisors before making any decision.