My name is Siva. I’m from Sri Lanka, and I’ve been working in financial services for about 15 years. Recently, I chose to invest in EB5AN’s Twin Lakes Georgia EB-5 project and apply for U.S. Green Cards through the EB-5 program.
In this post, I’ll share my story, focusing on what led us to choose the EB-5 investment path, how we went about selecting an immigration attorney, and our overall experience with the process.
As I’ll explain below, one of the major keys to our success making an EB-5 investment was finding a transparent regional center that valued communication with investors.
Why I Made an EB-5 Investment
Finding an EB-5 Immigration Attorney
My Criteria for Choosing an EB-5 Project
How to Determine an EB-5 Project’s Financial and Immigration Risk
Why It’s Crucial to Communicate Directly With Your Regional Center’s Partners
My Advice for Other EB-5 Investors
Why I Made an EB-5 Investment
Before diving into the EB-5 world, my family and I had already established a connection with the U.S. through visits and family ties. The prospect of living there, coupled with the opportunities for work and a better quality of life, appealed to us. Aware of various routes to U.S. immigration, we found the EB-5 visa program to offer the best flexibility, covering our entire family and allowing us the freedom to work in the U.S.
We didn’t take our decision to pursue the EB-5 program lightly. Knowing the importance of a successful I-526E application (the first petition in the EB-5 process), we looked for a project that promised both immigration safety and a good chance of return on our capital. We had to do very deep research into the EB-5 program, ensuring we understood every facet of the process and were comfortable moving forward.
Finding an EB-5 Immigration Attorney
A pivotal moment in our journey was choosing the right EB-5 immigration attorney. This choice was crucial, as the attorney would guide us through the application process, advising on what projects we could choose and ensuring our source of funds met the program’s requirements.
We looked for someone with a solid track record, specializing in EB-5 applications, and who came highly recommended.
The criteria for selecting our attorney were the following: experience, skill in crafting source of funds documentation, and their ability to successfully file applications from our country of origin.
Our interaction with Anahita George, the EB-5 attorney we ended up choosing, was excellent. Her law firm, George & Marzialo, took the time to understand our situation, setting clear terms of engagement. This included what their standard fee would cover and what it wouldn’t: a crucial discussion to avoid future surprises. We emphasized the importance of a comprehensive agreement, anticipating potential hurdles and ensuring our attorney’s support through every step.
With our attorney’s legal expertise, we evaluated potential EB-5 projects, ensuring our investment would meet the program’s requirements. This collaboration with our attorney provided us with the confidence that our chosen project was legally sound for our application purposes.
Throughout this process, the role of our EB-5 attorney was indispensable. Anahita served not just as a legal advisor but as a mentor, guiding us through each phase of the application.
My Criteria for Choosing an EB-5 Project
The process of choosing a project was very important, given the substantial financial commitment and the risks involved.
It was also crucial for me to partner with a regional center sponsor that exemplified trust, integrity, and a strong track record. This was not just about finding a safe investment; it was about ensuring that the project managers understood the significance of the funds I trusted them with.
When I first contacted EB5AN—the regional center sponsor we eventually chose to work with—it was a turning point. Their professionalism, transparent communication, and extensive experience in managing EB-5 projects instilled in me the confidence I needed to proceed. They were forthcoming about the investment terms, clearly outlining realistic expectations. This level of honesty was refreshing.
Choosing between rural and non-rural EB-5 projects was another important decision. While rural projects offer the advantage of priority processing, it was the project’s inherent merits that ultimately guided my choice.
Many urban projects seemed risky, lacking in business viability or burdened with past financial failures. However, the Twin Lakes Georgia rural EB-5 project stood out for its sound business plan, successful track record, and the project manager, Kolter’s, reputable background. The comprehensive guarantee from the parent company further solidified my trust in the project’s success.
The choice of a rural project was not only for the expedited visa processing but was influenced by the project’s high level of safety. Twin Lakes offered a compelling investment opportunity, one that I would have considered appealing even if it weren’t classified as rural. This decision was underscored by my desire to invest in a project that not only met the EB-5 program’s requirements but also aligned with my criteria for a sound and reliable investment.
How to Determine an EB-5 Project’s Financial and Immigration Risk
I learned there are two main types of risk for EB-5 investors: immigration and financial risk. The immigration risk, however, was more of a concern for me.
The risk of investing in a project that might later be rejected by USCIS—jeopardizing our path to U.S. green Cards—was something we wanted to avoid at all costs. My primary aim was to mitigate this risk as much as possible. Choosing a project like Twin Lakes, which had its job creation firmly in place and had received the necessary USCIS approvals, seemed like a solid step in the right direction.
While financial returns are undeniably important, they took a backseat in my decision-making process. Some might argue that there are more lucrative investments out there, and they’re probably right. But what good is a higher financial return if it comes at the cost of your immigration goals? The priority was clear—securing our future in the U.S. was paramount, and everything else was secondary.
The developer’s reputation and track record were other critical factors in our decision.
The world of real estate development is diverse, with projects ranging from hotels to single-family home communities. Each comes with its own set of risks. In my view, the developer’s ability to navigate through various economic cycles without defaults was crucial.
This isn’t just about financial statements; it’s about reliability, trustworthiness, and the willingness to honor commitments. Our chosen developer, Kolter, stood out for its impeccable track record, reinforcing our confidence in the decision.
During our search, we encountered numerous projects and developers. Some had reputable backgrounds, having successfully navigated through economic challenges without defaults. However, these were the exception rather than the norm. Many projects were backed by developers with less stellar records, including previous defaults.
Additionally, not all regional centers managing these projects had clean track records, with some involving agreements that lacked adequate security for the investors.
The stark contrast between Kolter and other developers made our decision easier. Kolter’s reputation for reliability and commitment to repaying its debts was a major factor in deciding to invest with them.
Why It’s Crucial to Communicate Directly With Your Regional Center’s Partners
The process of engaging with EB5AN was incredibly smooth for me. The team was very experienced, displaying a high level of expertise and familiarity with the EB-5 process. This wasn’t their first project; they navigated the complexities with ease, ensuring a hitch-free experience. Their professionalism and upfront communication style stood out.
EB5AN was always on top of things, ready to transfer documents and respond to queries without delay. It was clear I was working with people who not only knew the ropes but also realized that we had made a very significant investment.
Contrasting this with my encounters with other teams was eye-opening. Many other regional centers felt like sprawling, impersonal companies. Often, I found myself talking with salespeople rather than the principals.
This was a major red flag for me.
When you’re about to invest a significant amount of money, you look for trust and directness, which is hard to establish when you’re not speaking with the decision-makers. These salespeople, while knowledgeable, seemed to operate with a different set of incentives than what I presumed would align with my interests as an investor.
This difference in communication and interaction became a pivotal factor in my decision-making process. With the other regional centers, the absence of a direct line to someone with ownership or decisive authority made the interactions feel less genuine. It felt as though I was just another client, another number in their system.
The opportunity to engage directly with EB5AN’s partners was eye-opening. This personal touch, the ability to converse with someone who has a significant stake in the project, instilled a level of confidence that I didn’t find in other regional centers.
I would say that talking to my regional center’s partners created a partnership approach rather than a transactional relationship, which was crucial for me.
My Advice for Other EB-5 Investors
When you decide to pursue an EB-5 investment, the first and most crucial step is to find an immigration attorney you trust. This should not just be any lawyer, but one with a strong track record in EB-5 cases. It’s important that you and your lawyer understand each other well. This relationship is built on trust and mutual understanding, which are key to navigating the complexities of the EB-5 process.
Research is your best friend. Dive deep into the market to understand the various projects available to you. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about understanding the nuances of each opportunity. Each EB-5 project has its pros and cons, and it’s vital to weigh these carefully. Talk to as many people as you can, gather perspectives, and form a well-rounded view of your options.
One piece of advice I strongly emphasize is speaking directly to the principals or partners at the regional center. Avoid dealing with salespeople. You want to talk to someone who has an interest in the success and reputation of the center. This direct line of communication ensures transparency and builds trust.
Choosing the right EB-5 project is critical. Look for projects led by individuals or entities with unblemished track records. Even a minor issue in their past can be a red flag. The length of these projects often spans several years, so you need to be confident in their ability to get through economic fluctuations and fulfill their obligations.
Our immigration attorney, Anahita George, was efficient, responsive, and extremely knowledgeable about the EB-5 process. Her guidance was invaluable, making the entire journey smoother than we had anticipated.
Our experience with EB5AN was equally positive. Their responsiveness and the smooth handling of the process were commendable. Being able to communicate directly with the principal and partner of the regional center gave us peace of mind and confidence in our investment. The project we chose felt right for us, not just in terms of financials but also in how it was managed and presented to us.
To potential EB-5 investors, my advice is to proceed with diligence, prioritize direct communication with key individuals, and choose partners and projects with proven integrity and success.
