Highlights of EB5AN’s Investor Interview Series: “How I Benefitted from EB5AN’s Transparency”

Choosing an EB-5 project is only one aspect of the EB-5 immigration process. You are also choosing the regional center behind it—and that choice can shape your entire experience as an investor. A project can look strong on paper, but if the regional center is not open, responsive, and willing to share information clearly, investors can end up making decisions with gaps they did not realize were there. In EB-5, trust is built through transparency: straightforward answers, easy access to documents, and a consistent willingness to explain the details that matter.

That is why transparency is essential for EB-5 investors evaluating regional centers today. Investors should be able to review offering materials and supporting documentation without friction with the regional center. They should be able to ask hard questions and get direct, complete answers. They should also be able to understand how a project is structured, what risks exist, and what protections are in place—before making a commitment. When a regional center treats transparency as optional, investors are left to rely on assumptions. And assumptions are not a strategy.

For investors facing this choice, one of the most useful resources is the experience of people who have already gone through the process successfully. Listening to real investors explain what they looked for, what they asked, and what ultimately gave them confidence can offer practical guidance that is hard to get elsewhere. It can also help new investors build a clear approach to due diligence—one grounded in real decisions, not marketing claims.

That is the goal of EB5AN’s investor testimonial interview series. We have published over 20 full-length interviews with EB5AN investors, covering the questions investors actually wrestle with—project diligence, document review, attorney selection, process expectations, and more. We have not seen other EB-5 firms invest this much time in giving prospective investors this level of direct, detailed insight from real clients.

This post is the sixth installment in a new series that revisits some of the most compelling interviews in our library and focuses each installment on a single, high-impact part of the EB-5 decision process. Here, we focus on a theme that comes up again and again: how EB5AN’s investors benefitted from our uncompromising commitment to transparency—easy access to project information and documents, open communication, and thoughtful answers to every question, so investors could make informed decisions with confidence.

In the excerpts that follow, investors describe what transparency looked like in practice, why it mattered to them, and how it influenced their decision to move forward. Their comments highlight specific behaviors that investors should look for when evaluating any regional center—and why those details can matter as much as the project itself.

We also invite you to watch these highlights in the following compilation video featuring our investors’ key responses.

Watch All EB-5 Investor Testimonials

EB5AN’s Commitment to Transparency from Day One

“Transparency, even just without even speaking with you guys, we went on your website. We saw a list of projects. Each one of the projects had a lot of detail to it that was openly available—no NDAs or anything. We had previously signed a couple of NDAs for some of the other regional centers that we were in touch with just for basic information. … We saw the transparency. We saw that you have a nice portfolio where you have several different types of projects in different locations around the country.” — Ido (Bay Creek Rural)

For Ido from Israel (Bay Creek Rural), the first signal of transparency came before any calls or emails. He describes being able to review EB5AN’s active offerings on the website with real detail already available, without signing anything just to see the basics. That matters because early friction often hides what an investor most needs to evaluate: what the project is, who is behind it, and whether the key facts can be verified. When information is accessible from the start, investors can compare projects easily.

Ido also points out something practical that gets overlooked: regional centers should have a varied project portfolio across project types and locations, with enough information to understand what is being offered. A transparent regional center does not force investors into a single option by limiting visibility. It lets investors view the landscape and make real comparisons, which is exactly what serious due diligence requires.

“Yeah, I would say EB5AN definitely did a great job in terms of transparency for all this data. How many jobs are created, how many funds have been invested into this project you can simply find on EB5AN’s website. Compared to other regional centers, they will probably provide you with the same information if you ask, but it’s not like you can simply go to EB5AN’s website and look at the very up-to-date data there.” — Mr. Lin (Snake River Rural)

Mr. Lin from China (Snake River Rural) makes an important point: that investors should not have to guess what to ask for, or wonder whether what they are seeing is current. When key metrics are easy to find and kept updated, investors can pressure-test assumptions and track progress over time, without relying on selective disclosure.

EB5AN Makes Project Documents Easily Accessible

“The biggest difference we saw was, number one, was transparency. With EB5AN, all of the documentation was black and white. Every number or every metric that we needed was provided … I think the response rate is very high and very quick. The turnaround times are very low, so we can get our questions answered very quickly.” — Kaushal and Ayushi (Twin Lakes Rural)

Kaushal and Ayushi from India (Twin Lakes Rural) describe a difference that sounds simple but changes everything: clear documentation where the numbers and metrics investors need are provided in a straightforward way. In EB-5, confidence comes from being able to verify a project’s claims by reading the documents. If numbers are missing, unclear, or hard to obtain, investors are left without hard data backing the project’s claims.

“They also had an excellent repository of data, so we could look into a lot of the data, even testimonials, including about different projects. Even the Dropbox files gave all the information. They gave everything upfront, the subscription documents—everything they had advance.” — Mohan (Twin Lakes Rural)

Mohan from India (Twin Lakes Rural) focuses on depth and organization. He describes being given access to a EB5AN’s repository of information—project materials, supporting documents, and even testimonials—so that his review could be grounded in actual sources, not summaries. He also notes that documents were provided upfront, including subscription documents, rather than being provided in the process.

That detail matters for a practical reason: investors do not do due diligence in one sitting. They review, step back, come back with new questions, cross-check, and compare. When a regional center shares information early and in an organized way, it respects how real decision-making works.

“The amount of detail-oriented documentation, information on the YouTube channel, on the page, the responsiveness of the emails is really great. … I never got that same amount of detail and responsiveness from any of [the other regional centers]. In fact, even some of the prospectus documents which were sent seemed to be lacking a few details, and I had to kind of ask again for them.” — Kumar (Rocky River Rural)

Kumar from India (Rocky River Rural) puts transparency in context: many regional centers are “responsive” in a basic sense, but the real difference is the level of detail and the completeness of what is shared. He describes seeing missing pieces in documents from other regional centers, and sometimes not getting a clear answer on when those materials would be available. That is exactly the type of uncertainty that makes investors feel they are taking a leap, not making an informed choice.

In contrast, he points to EB5AN’s detail-first approach—both in written materials and in publicly available educational content—as a sign that investors are expected to scrutinize, not just to sign on to a project quickly.

Fast, Complete Answers: Responsiveness That Enables Informed Decisions

“And then once we started the dialogue with you, we saw that you very freely provide us with answers, provide us with information that we need. Everything was readily available. We weren’t told to wait for a few more months because there’s another project around the corner. No, everything was at hand. Everything was available.” — Ido (Bay Creek Rural)

Ido (Bay Creek Rural) describes transparency as responsiveness paired with readiness. It is not just that questions were answered. It is that the information needed to answer them was already available, and it was shared without delay or games. That changes the tone of the relationship. Investors do not feel pressured. They feel informed.

“So I found that when I reached out … I work with Jordan and Dairung from your team, so they’re very responsive. Any question that I had, I was able to communicate through multiple channels, like email or WhatsApp, and always get a reply back or always have a clarification answered.” — Kumar (Rocky River Rural)

Kumar’s (Rocky River Rural) point is direct: if you ask a serious question and do not get an answer, that is not a small inconvenience. It is a warning sign. He highlights something investors recognize immediately during diligence—the difference between a regional center that answers consistently, and one that answers selectively. Transparency shows up in certain key moments: the follow-up question, the request for one more document, the need for clarification on a detail that does not fit neatly into a sales pitch.

“It was very smooth. I had no problem with it. I liked the upfront nature of the team. Everything was very clear. The means of communication were very responsive, documents were transferred immediately.” — Siva (Twin Lakes Rural)

Siva from Sri Lanka (Twin Lakes Rural) emphasizes speed and clarity as part of a “clean” process. For investors, responsiveness is not only about convenience. It is about reducing the risk of misunderstandings. In EB-5, delays and vague answers can lead to rushed decisions later. A transparent team helps investors keep pace with their own diligence rather than pushing them into time pressure.

Education Instead of Pressure: Helping Investors Ask the Right Questions

“The second thing was that EB5AN has adopted more of an educational approach. The EB-5 process in general is not very widely known, at least in the community that we come from. And so going through that educational process … was very helpful for us to gather our information and do our due diligence in the process as well.” — Kaushal and Ayushi (Twin Lakes Rural)

Kaushal and Ayushi (Twin Lakes Rural) describe a form of transparency that goes beyond sharing files: teaching investors how to evaluate what they are seeing. Many investors come into EB-5 without a framework for comparing regional centers. An educational approach helps investors identify what matters, what to ask next, and how to verify the answers. That is a major shift from the typical dynamic where investors must rely on the regional center to define what “good” looks like.

“Here is the regional center that was transparent, was open. In fact, Sam was clear, there’s clarity, on helping you to select [a project]. ‘We’ll help you to make a decision.’ We were able to take a decision.” — Mohan (Twin Lakes Rural)

Mohan (Twin Lakes Rural) describes a difference in tone: guidance without pressure. He contrasts EB5AN’s approach—helping him make a decision—with other interactions that felt like pressure.

That theme also shows up in how Mohan evaluates the people behind the regional center. He see transparency as something connected to credibility and professionalism. Investors do not separate the information from the people providing it. When the team is willing to explain, to share, and to give clear answers, investors read that as a sign of seriousness and accountability.

“And we felt that it was up to us, that the ball’s in our court, that we can move forward at our leisure, and we have somebody on the other side which is ready to go, which was important to us…” — Ido (Bay Creek Rural)

Ido’s (Bay Creek Rural) point captures what transparency feels like: control stays with the investor. When investors feel they can move forward at their own pace, they are less likely to regret the decision later because they were not rushed through key steps.

Staying Accountable: Ongoing Project Updates and Clear Reporting

“The most important thing is that Sam was clear when I was asking about the project, how much they had sold, everything. We used to get reports—last month they sold this, this month they sold this. This means that they are on track of how it is doing, and all that made a very big difference in terms of building the confidence.” — Mohan (Twin Lakes Rural)

Mohan (Twin Lakes Rural) describes transparency as ongoing reporting, not a one-time document. In his telling, regular updates on key performance signals helped him judge whether the project was progressing as expected. That type of communication turns transparency into a continuous practice. It also reinforces that the regional center is watching the same indicators investors care about, and is willing to share them.

“Also, the ongoing information. So even as you’re doing your due diligence, if you are subscribed to the EB5AN emails, you get updated on what are the trends, what’s changing. Even the hike in fee that happened very recently, the first we heard of it was through an email that your team had sent out.” — Ayushi (Twin Lakes Rural)

Ayushi (Twin Lakes Rural) expands this idea beyond a single project. She highlights updates that helped them track broader changes affecting investors. That kind of communication helps investors avoid surprises. It also supports better diligence, because investors can connect what they are hearing from different sources to real developments in the market.

“Absolutely … when your application has gone or you have received an EAD or AP, I didn’t see EB5AN missing out of the picture. They are still in the picture. They are still there to help you, give you information.” — Kaushal (Twin Lakes Rural)

Kaushal (Twin Lakes Rural) makes a related point about continuity. For him, transparency did not stop when the paperwork was submitted. He describes EB5AN remaining present and communicative through later milestones, such as EAD and AP approvals, which is another form of trust-building: investors are not left guessing what comes next or feeling abandoned once the investment is made.

Transparency About Project Details and Risks

“One of the other regional centers recommended the energy project. But the problem is it depends purely on incentives. They never mentioned the negative, despite me asking. Despite me asking, I had several rounds. Finally, I had to tell them: ‘This is an issue.’ They agreed. They never told openly. That is dangerous because ultimately, here are our lifetime savings are there…” — Mohan (Twin Lakes Rural)

Mohan’s (Twin Lakes Rural) contrast is one of the clearest examples of why transparency is not just a marketing line. He describes an experience where another regional center did not openly discuss a key risk, even after multiple rounds of questioning. That is precisely the moment when transparency matters most: when the honest answer may slow the deal.

Like Mohan notes, an EB-5 investment is major capital, often lifetime savings, tied to immigration goals and financial outcomes. In that context, not disclosing a meaningful downside is not merely “salesy.” It is dangerous. Transparency means acknowledging what could go wrong and allowing investors to weigh that risk with clear eyes.

This is also where “responsiveness” alone is not enough. A regional center can respond quickly and still avoid the hard parts. Mohan’s description draws the line investors care about: openness that includes the negatives, not just the positives.

Direct Access to EB5AN’s Principals (Sam Silverman and Mike Schoenfeld)

“I’d say the main difference was, the other regional centers, they were large, sprawling companies, with really no point of ownership that you could contact. I felt like a lot of the time, we were speaking to salespeople as opposed to the principals of the regional centers. … throughout the process, I was speaking to a partner of the regional center…” — Siva (Twin Lakes Rural)

Siva (Twin Lakes Rural) ties transparency to the regional center’s ownership. He describes feeling that other regional centers routed him through sales teams, with unclear incentives and no direct line to the people ultimately accountable. For an investor making a large commitment, that structure can feel like a wall: questions may be answered, but not by the people who carry responsibility.

In his experience, being able to speak with EB5AN’s managing partners changed the decision. It reduced the sense that information was being filtered. It also reinforced that the regional center was willing to be directly accountable in the relationship.

Mohan expresses similar thoughts below.

“We had actually looked at other regional centers, and EB5AN was very transparent. The most important thing we looked at was, ‘Who are the promoters? Who are the people behind this?’ … Sam and his colleagues … were very professional and they were open…” — Mohan (Twin Lakes Rural)

Clear Offering Documents for EB5AN’s Projects

“The investor memo is the one key document in making an EB-5 investment. … [It] contains all of the key information associated with this project. … the structure of the funds, the risk factors, when and how you’re going to be repaid… Having read several different memos … I think that the investor memos from EB5AN, they tend to have reasonable terms… more balanced, more reasonable, and friendlier to the investor.” — Mr. Lin (Snake River Rural)

Mr. Lin (Snake River Rural) focuses on the document investors rely on most: the investor memo. His explanation is practical—this is where the core terms and risk factors are disclosed, including how repayment is expected to work. Transparency is not only about making documents available. It is also about presenting terms that can be evaluated as fair and understandable.

He describes reviewing multiple memos across the market and finding EB5AN’s terms more balanced. That matters because investors often only learn what is “reasonable” by comparison. When a regional center provides an investor memo that is clear on structure, risks, and repayment mechanics—and does so in a way that feels fair—investors interpret that as a form of transparency in itself.

EB-5 Investors Deserve a Transparent Regional Center

If you are evaluating regional centers now, treat transparency as non-negotiable: ask for the documents, ask for the numbers, ask the uncomfortable questions, and pay attention to how directly you are answered and how quickly you can verify what you are being told. The investors featured here did not move forward because they were “sold” on EB-5; they moved forward because they could see the facts, understand the terms, and stay informed as conditions changed.

As EB5AN managing partner Sam Silverman put it, “Our job is to put everything on the table—documents, metrics, and risks—so you can decide with confidence and never feel surprised later.”

For personalized, transparent guidance on making EB-5 a success, schedule a free consultation with EB5AN.