My name is Kumar, and I’m originally from India. I first came to the US about 11 years ago as a student. After finishing my master’s degree, I started working here. I’ve been employed continuously ever since. It’s been about 11 years now.
Even though I’ve tried a variety of immigration options to remain in the United States, none of them provided the stability I was looking for. My goal is to make America my permanent home.
That’s why I made an EB-5 investment in the Cresswind Rocky River rural project. And now I’d like to share a few best practices that helped me along the process.
Because I did very careful research on every step before committing my funds, I’m glad to say that I’m firmly on the path to receiving my permanent U.S. Green Card. My hope is that anyone with similar goals to mine will also be able to find a safe EB-5 project, regional center, and immigration attorney using the following methods.
Why I Chose the EB-5 Visa
Finding an Experienced, Reliable Immigration Attorney
The Project Selection Process
Summary: My Main Advice for Fellow EB-5 Investors
Watch Kumar’s Full Interview
Watch Kumar’s Interview Highlights
Why I Chose the EB-5 Visa
I’ve had to navigate the US immigration system through the H-1B work visa. When you’re on an H-1B, your company can sponsor your green card through employment-based immigration. I was in the EB-2 category, and my petition was approved around 2018. However, the immigration system has country-specific limits. For India, these limits create massive backlogs. My priority date was nowhere close to current, meaning it would take years before I could secure a permanent resident status.
Because of this backlog, I explored other immigration options. One option I considered was changing my EB-2 petition to an EB-1. However, this route is complicated, takes several years, and requires extensive documentation to prove qualifications. Additionally, it ties you to your employer since they must sponsor your application. These downsides made EB-1 less appealing.
I chose EB-5 because it provides more flexibility and a clear path to staying permanently in the US without the usual restrictions. On the H-1B visa, each renewal requires traveling to a US consulate abroad to get the stamp, which restricts travel. Consulate appointments can be hard to get, making travel even more challenging. EB-5 removes these limitations.
Another critical factor was job security. On H-1B, if you lose your job, you only have 60 days to find another one. This tight timeline can be especially difficult during economic downturns or industry layoffs. I didn’t want the stress of potentially having just two months to secure new employment.
After deciding EB-5 was the right choice, I started researching the program in detail. Within EB-5, there are two investment routes: direct investment or passive investment through a regional center. Regional centers fund projects in urban or rural areas. I did extensive research on these options, including studying the original legislation and the 2022 EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (the RIA). Resources online, such as EB5AN’s website, helped clarify complex legal points. I liked EB-5 because priority dates for investors from India were current under the new set-aside categories, unlike other employment-based immigration categories.
Finding an Experienced, Reliable Immigration Attorney
The next step was finding an attorney. I began by compiling a large list of potential attorneys specializing in EB-5 cases, eventually narrowing it down to five. I then interviewed each of them, focusing on how many EB-5 cases they handled annually. The volume mattered because a higher caseload means the attorney is experienced in dealing with USCIS requests for evidence (RFEs).
I wanted someone who could give personalized attention and quickly answer questions. Although big-name immigration attorneys might handle many cases, they often don’t provide personalized support. I needed an attorney responsive enough to promptly handle any USCIS requests. After interviewing the shortlisted attorneys, I chose Anahita George.
Working with Anahita turned out to be a great experience. Her process was streamlined and efficient. As soon as I decided to hire her, everything moved quickly. She provided clear instructions about uploading documents via Dropbox and was quick to acknowledge receipt, pointing out anything missing or needing correction. Her responsiveness was a deciding factor—when dealing with immigration applications, quick responses can be critical.
I particularly valued the personal attention and detailed replies I received from her. Knowing the priority dates for India were current but could change at any moment, I wanted to complete my application promptly. Anahita understood this urgency and ensured a smooth and rapid process.
From the initial consultation to finalizing the application, the entire process took about two to three weeks. Everything went quickly because of her structured and responsive approach.
If I had to advise a friend in a similar situation considering EB-5, I’d strongly recommend thorough research on attorneys. It’s important to choose someone experienced with EB-5 cases who offers personalized attention and quick responses. You need an attorney capable of handling a long-term relationship since the EB-5 process involves multiple stages over several years, including removing conditions and responding to potential RFEs.
Cost-wise, Anahita’s fees were slightly higher than other attorneys I spoke with. But in immigration matters, especially EB-5, you get what you pay for. A significantly lower fee often signals a lack of experience or lower quality service. Given the high investment amount in EB-5—over $800,000—I wouldn’t recommend cutting corners on legal representation. The application needs to be perfect, as USCIS reviews it meticulously over several months. Errors or oversights can jeopardize the entire process.
The Project Selection Process
When I first started researching the EB-5 program, I realized quickly that there were two main types of projects: urban and rural. The investments could be hotels, ski resorts, apartments, or single-family homes. Urban projects usually required higher investment amounts, around $200,000 more compared to rural projects. But cost wasn’t the biggest factor for me.
What mattered most was the processing speed. The RIA clearly states that rural projects get priority processing from USCIS. It isn’t as fast as premium processing in the H-1B visa, but rural EB-5 applications do move faster compared to urban ones. For me, this was huge. Waiting a long time was something I definitely wanted to avoid.
After deciding on rural projects, I listed several possibilities: hotels, resorts, apartment complexes, and housing developments. I contacted each project through their websites, and almost all responded quickly, providing me with offering documents. Reviewing these documents was key to narrowing down my options. Eventually, I chose the Cresswind Rocky River project based on specific criteria.
The first factor I considered was the developer and the regional center managing the project. I needed to see their track record clearly. Were they experienced, or was this their first or second project? Experience mattered greatly to me because it suggested stability. Kolter, the developer of Rocky River, had successfully completed multiple similar projects, including the well-known Twin Lakes community. This gave me confidence.
Next, I looked at the overall characteristics or macros of the project. For rural projects, the exact location mattered a lot. How close was the site to a major city? Who would want to live or visit there? Was it targeting vacationers, older people, or families? Rocky River appealed to me because it targeted active adults, and people looking to relocate to a warmer climate in North Carolina, part of the Sunbelt region. The location was close enough to a city for entertainment and healthcare, but still provided a quiet, community-focused environment.
Another important detail was the project’s current stage. Projects in their early stages often generated many jobs because construction is intensive. Rocky River already had its 956F approval and was just beginning construction. This assured me that the EB-5 job creation requirements would likely be met quickly, a critical factor since failing to create enough jobs would mean not getting conditions removed from my green card.
I also focused heavily on financial details. I needed to understand the project’s capital stack—how it was funded and how it would make money. Some projects, like hotels, required full completion before generating any revenue. That meant waiting several years without any returns. Rocky River was different because homes could be built and sold in phases, allowing revenue to roll in continually rather than waiting for a single event. This phased approach significantly reduced financial risk.
This rolling revenue model was particularly appealing because it minimized risk of rising material costs. If prices for construction materials like steel or cement suddenly increased, a phased project could adjust gradually. Homes could be priced higher as costs went up, keeping the project financially stable. In contrast, projects built all at once locked in prices upfront, risking heavy financial losses if materials became more expensive.
Additionally, Rocky River offered clear diversification. Unlike a hotel, resort, or apartment building, where everything depended on one major opening event, Rocky River could pace itself. If demand was strong, they could speed up construction. If demand dropped, they could slow down without endangering the whole project.
Beyond project details, the responsiveness of the regional center also mattered greatly. EB5AN, managing the Rocky River project, stood out. Their detailed documentation, YouTube videos, and quick responses to emails and WhatsApp messages were unmatched. Other regional centers often missed details or were slow to reply. Sometimes they couldn’t provide critical financial documents when asked. EB5AN always provided everything I needed promptly, which built trust and confidence.
Reviewing financial documents thoroughly was essential. EB5AN provided detailed financials, clearly showing how money flowed through the project’s structure. As someone without a finance background, having responsive contacts at EB5AN to answer detailed questions about financial structures and the capital stack was critical. This support was something I found lacking in other regional centers, making EB5AN a standout choice.
Summary: My Main Advice for Fellow EB-5 Investors
In terms of overall advice for anyone considering EB-5, especially those from an H-1B background like me, choosing the right regional center is vital. Find one that offers clear, detailed information and responsive support. Evaluate multiple projects carefully, looking at their developers’ experience, financial health, revenue models, and how confidently they can meet the EB-5 job creation criteria.
Understand clearly how your project will generate revenue. Consider phased projects like Rocky River for lower risk. Also, carefully assess location and target demographics to ensure sustained demand. If you have the means, EB-5 can offer valuable flexibility and security, especially in uncertain times for those working in sectors vulnerable to sudden changes.
My experience working with Anahita George and EB5AN was extremely positive, and I highly recommend them to other investors who find themselves in a similar position to mine—especially Indian investors.
Anahita George was excellent throughout my EB-5 journey. Her process is very organized, and she was consistently responsive, both during the initial application and even after everything was filed. Having interacted with many attorneys and various organizations previously, including both large and small firms, I can confidently say Anahita stands out. I also interviewed multiple attorneys before making my decision, and Anahita was clearly the best choice. Her strong reviews online reflect my experience accurately, and I genuinely believe she’s one of the best attorneys available for EB-5.
Regarding EB5AN, their meticulous attention to detail and thoroughness made a huge difference. Their YouTube channel alone provided an incredible amount of useful information, even about aspects that I hadn’t initially considered. For instance, one of their videos explained the importance of the escrow account being ICS compliant. They clearly highlighted the risks investors faced during incidents like the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, where funds above FDIC insurance limits could have been lost. EB5AN ensures the escrow account used is protected through a cash sweep across multiple institutions, safeguarding investor funds effectively.
Additionally, the responsiveness and clear communication from Jordan Lawrence and Dairung Chiang at EB5AN have been exceptional. I continue to engage with them regularly as my EB-5 application progresses. Compared to other regional centers I contacted, EB5AN consistently provided detailed, clear documentation and immediate answers to my inquiries. They stood out significantly in their responsiveness and professionalism.
