Regional Centers: The EB-5 Visa Program—How It Can Benefit You

The EB-5 visa program has become a popular option for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency in the United States. The program, which was established in 1990, provides a pathway for eligible individuals to invest in the American economy and obtain a Green Card. One of the ways that investors can participate in the program is through an EB-5 regional center.

The benefit of investing in an EB-5 regional center is that it allows investors to participate in a convenient investment opportunity with higher chances of permanent residency in the United States. Unlike direct EB-5 investments, which may require investors to create and manage their own business, regional center investments allow investors to pool their funds with others.

Investors can also rely on the expertise of the approved regional centers management team for job creation and to stimulate economic growth.

Investing in an EB-5 regional center can also provide investors with a greater degree of certainty and predictability in their immigration process, making it more likely for them to obtain U.S. Green Cards.

In this article, we will be providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the nature of EB-5 regional centers and everything they need to know in order to invest in the EB-5 visa program. This will include information on the benefits of investing in a regional center.

By the end of this article, readers will have a clear understanding of what an EB-5 regional center is, how it works, the total foreign direct investment requirements, and the key factors that should be considered when evaluating investment opportunities.

Whether you are an EB-5 investor or real estate developer interested in EB-5 funding, this article will provide you with valuable insights into the most convenient and popular EB-5 investment pathway available today.

What is an EB-5 Regional Center?

An EB-5 regional center is an entity established under the guidelines of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. This is a U.S. government program that encourages new investment in job-creating projects. To qualify as a regional center, an entity must submit an I-956 application to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for approval.

Foreign investors can qualify for the EB-5 program by making eligible investments in EB-5 projects sponsored by approved regional centers, provided these regional center projects create at least 10 new U.S. jobs per investor.

As we will expand upon below, the primary benefit and reason almost all EB-5 investments are made in projects sponsored by regional centers is increased flexibility for satisfying the job creation requirement. EB-5 projects sponsored by existing regional centers can count all indirect, direct, and induced jobs created, whereas EB-5 projects that are not sponsored by regional centers can count only direct jobs toward the required 10 jobs per investor.

Once an investor decides to invest through a regional center, they will wire their funds to the regional center investment fund. The regional center investment fund will then either loan the EB-5 capital to a real estate project or use the EB-5 capital to buy equity in it. This structure allows the regional center to oversee the flow of EB-5 capital, which provides an increased level of transparency.

The regional center will also be responsible for reporting to USCIS on the progress of the project and the number of jobs created.

Why Was The EB-5 Regional Center Program Introduced?

One of the challenges facing the EB-5 program is the potential for fraud and misuse of funds. To address this issue, the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 was recently signed into law.

The act aims to increase the transparency and accountability of regional centers by requiring them to provide audited financial statements and periodic reports to investors regarding the status of their capital. Additionally, USCIS will now require detailed background information on every individual involved with a regional center, making it easier to root out bad actors.

These changes are designed to protect investors’ funds and immigration outcomes.

Differences Between Regional Center and Direct Investment

EB-5 investors can choose to invest directly in a commercial enterprise or to invest through a regional center.

The minimum investment amount for both models is the same, but there are differences in the job creation total, the role of the regional center, and the investment structure.

Direct investments only count the jobs created by the new commercial enterprise in which the EB-5 investment was made, while regional center investments can count both direct and indirect jobs, making it easier to meet the required number of jobs. Indirect jobs are the result of the project’s spending on goods and services in the region, while induced jobs are the jobs created by employees’ spending of their wages. Investors making indirect investments must invest in a commercial enterprise sponsored by a regional center designated as such by the USCIS.

Investments made through a regional center typically involve the creation of several entities, including a job-creating entity that is distinct from the new commercial enterprise. Direct investors must invest directly into an NCE and can count only the jobs created by that NCE. Therefore, loan models are unsuitable for direct EB-5 investment because a loan involves at least two entities—the lender and borrower (the job-creating entity).

Calculating direct jobs seems simple, but certain types of employees are excluded from the total, including positions filled by contractors, employees of affiliates, the investor, and their immediate family. Direct jobs must be filled by American workers, and multiple employees can share a full-time role if a formal job-share agreement is in place.

The Benefits of Regional Center Investment

Investing in a regional center offers several benefits over direct investment, making it an attractive option for many investors. Here are some of the key benefits of investing in an EB5 regional center:

Here are some of the key benefits of investing in an EB5 regional center:

Job Creation

One of the main benefits of investing in an EB-5 regional center is the potential for job creation. Regional centers are pre-approved by the USCIS and are designed to create jobs in a specific geographic area. These jobs can be direct or indirect, and investors can count both types towards the required 10 jobs per investment. Since this is a requirement for EB-5 investors to obtain Green Cards, investing through a regional center can make immigration success more likely.

Reduced Risk

Investing in a regional center can offer reduced risk compared to a direct investment. Many regional centers have a proven track record of success and often have a diversified portfolio of regional center projects. They have also experienced management teams that can mitigate risks and ensure that investments are properly structured. Additionally, regional centers are subject to regular reporting requirements, which can provide investors with greater transparency and oversight.

Passive Investment

Investing in a regional center is a passive investment, meaning that investors do not have to be involved in the day-to-day management of the enterprise. This is a significant advantage for investors who want to maintain their current lifestyle and business interests while still obtaining permanent residency in the United States. This also allows investors to have more control over their investment strategy, as they can choose to invest in a regional center that aligns with their personal goals and risk tolerance. On the other hand, direct investment projects may require EB-5 investors to take on an active managerial role.

Easier Investment Process

Investing in a regional center can be an easier process compared to a direct investment. Regional centers typically have a team of professionals that can guide investors through the entire process, from initial investment to obtaining permanent residency. This can help investors navigate the complex requirements of the EB-5 program and avoid costly mistakes. Additionally, regional centers may have established relationships with USCIS, which can help expedite the application process.

Access to a Diverse Portfolio of Projects

Investing in a regional center can provide access to a diverse portfolio of regional center projects. Regional centers often invest in a variety of industries, such as real estate, infrastructure, and hospitality. This can help mitigate risk and provide investors with exposure to multiple industries.

Potential for Higher Returns

Investing in a regional center can offer the potential for higher returns compared to a direct investment. As they are allowed to pool funds from multiple EB-5 investors, regional centers may work with EB-5 projects that have a higher potential for returns. Additionally, regional centers may have established relationships with lenders, which can help secure favorable financing terms and increase returns.

How to Invest in an EB-5 Green Card Through a Regional Center

Investing in an EB-5 regional center can be a great way for foreign investors to obtain a Green Card for themselves and their family members. The following is a step-by-step guide on how to invest through an EB-5 regional center.

Step 1: Research

The first step in investing in an EB-5 regional center project is to do your research. You need to ensure that you understand the entire process and have a clear idea of the type of investment you would like to make. Researching various regional centers and projects will help you choose the one that suits your needs best.

Step 2: Determine Eligibility

The next step is to determine your eligibility to invest in an EB-5 regional center. You will need to have a minimum of $800,000 to invest in a targeted employment area (TEA) or $1,050,000 to invest in a non-TEA area. You will also need to ensure that you have a clean criminal record, are not a threat to national security, and are not associated with any illegal activities.

Step 3: Choose a Regional Center Project

Once you have determined your eligibility and done your research, you need to choose a regional center project to invest in. You should select a project that can ensure full compliance with the job creation requirement and that will succeed financially and return your capital. You should also ensure that the regional center sponsor has a good track record of USCIS approvals.

Step 4: Review Documents

The regional center will provide you with a private placement memorandum (PPM), subscription agreement, and other relevant documents. You need to review these documents thoroughly and seek advice from a qualified immigration attorney. It will be essential to understand the terms of the investment, the potential risks, and the expected returns.

Step 5: Invest and Submit Form I-526E

After providing your EB-5 investment funds to the regional center, you need to submit Form I-526E to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This application will show that you made an eligible investment and thus qualify for a conditional two-year Green Card.

Step 6: Wait for Approval

After submitting your application, you will need to wait for approval from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This can take approximately 2-5 years, depending on the volume of applications being processed from your country. You should stay in touch with the regional center during this time and keep them informed of any changes to your status.

Step 7: Conditional Green Card

After approval for Form I-526E, you will receive a conditional Green Card for yourself and your family members. This will be valid for two years, after which you will need to file for removal of conditions. You can now immigrate to the United States.

Step 8: File for Removal of Conditions

You will need to file an I-829 petition to remove the conditions on your Green Card within the final 90 days of the two-year period. In addition, you will need to provide evidence that you have maintained your investment at risk and that it has complied with the required job creation.

Step 9: Permanent Green Card

Once your I-829 petition to remove the conditions on your Green Card has been approved, you will receive a permanent Green Card for yourself and your family members. You will now be able to live and work in the United States permanently.

How the Regional Center Program Benefits the U.S. Economy

The regional center program has become an essential tool for encouraging foreign investment in the United States, and it has had a significant impact on the U.S. economy.

One of the major benefits of the EB-5 Regional Center Program is the convenience it offers foreign nationals who are interested in investing in the United States. By investing in a regional center, investors do not need to be directly involved in the management of the project, and they do not need to live in the area where the investment is being made. This makes the process of investing in the United States much easier and more accessible, which has led to a significant increase in foreign investment.

The EB-5 Regional Center Program has also had a significant impact on real estate development across the United States. Because EB-5 funding is often available at below-market rates, it has become a popular source of funding for real estate developers. This funding allows developers to take on larger projects than they might be able to otherwise, and it allows them to complete projects more quickly. This increased real estate development has created jobs and boosted local economic growth across the country.

Furthermore, the EB-5 Regional Center Program has become an increasingly important source of funding for real estate developers, particularly given the high interest rates set by the Federal Reserve. These high interest rates can make it difficult for developers to secure funding through traditional channels, making the EB-5 program an even more attractive option.

The EB-5 program has also had a significant impact on job creation in the United States. These jobs are often in industries such as construction, which are particularly important for boosting local economies. Finally, the EB-5 Regional Center Program has helped to attract high-net-worth individuals to the United States. These individuals often bring valuable skills and expertise with them, which can help to drive innovation and promote economic growth. Additionally, these individuals often become active members of their local communities, supporting local businesses and contributing to charitable causes.

EB-5 regional centers offer a compelling opportunity for a U.S. Green Card or to raise funding for your project. For more information on how to accomplish these goals, schedule a free consultation with EB5AN.