How Do Direct and Regional Center EB-5 Investments Differ?
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, a permanent federal program established in 1990, allows foreign investors to pursue U.S. residency by investing in a project that creates jobs for American workers. In 1992, Congress created the Regional Center Program to simplify the investment process and thus attract more investors to stimulate economic growth. Unlike the Direct EB-5 program, the Regional Center Program is a temporary program that is reauthorized periodically, usually annually. These two EB-5 investment options are referred to as direct and indirect EB-5 investments, with direct investments referring to investments in projects that are not sponsored by a regional center.
Whatever the type of EB-5 investment an EB-5 visa applicant chooses, the basic EB-5 requirements remain the same: they must invest the minimum required amount to create 10 full-time jobs for American workers. The minimum investment amounts remain the same for both types of investors. The most significant differences between the two models are the types of jobs that count toward the job creation total, the role the regional center plays in the EB-5 visa process, and the way each model is structured.
Click here to learn more about the differences between direct and regional center EB-5 investments.
The Slanted Door Restaurant (Equity)
– 3.0% Return – $500K Direct Investment – File I-526 Today
DIRECT EB-5 PROJECT: INVEST AND FILE YOUR I-526 TODAY
- Highly popular restaurant founded and owned by award-winning executive chef Charles Phan— recipient of the prestigious James Beard Award
- 13,000+ Google and Yelp! reviews
- 3rd location with successful existing locations in San Francisco and San Ramon
- Strategic EB-5 investment location in downtown Napa Valley, California
- Will create a total of 90 jobs; 15 jobs for each EB-5 investor
- Only 6 EB-5 investor slots with a high job cushion
- 3.0% preferred return and a clear exit strategy that complies with EB-5 program rules
Sra. Martinez Restaurant (Equity)
– 3.0% Return – $500K Direct Investment – File I-526 Today
DIRECT EB-5 PROJECT: INVEST AND FILE YOUR I-526 TODAY
- Owned by Michelle Bernstein, a world-renowned and James Beard Award winning chef
- Proven business model; re-opening of a successful and iconic Latin restaurant concept
- Will create a total of 71 jobs; 17.8 jobs for each EB-5 investor
- Below market lease secured with 2-years of free rent
- Prime location adjacent to high-traffic pedestrian mall in downtown Coral Gables, Florida
- Only 4 EB-5 investor slots with a high job cushion
- 3.0% preferred return and a clear exit strategy that complies with EB-5 program rules
Black Tap Miami Restaurant (Equity)
– 2.0% Return – $500K Direct Investment – File I-526 Today
DIRECT EB-5 PROJECT: INVEST AND FILE YOUR I-526 TODAY
- International restaurant chain known for its award-winning burgers, craft beers, signature cocktails, and world-famous CrazyShakes®
- Award-winning and highly rated international chain, with over 1,000 Yelp/Google reviews
- Established and successful brand with 15 locations worldwide, including 6 in the United States
- Prime project location at Brickell City Centre in the center of downtown Miami, FL
- Will create a total of 96 jobs; 16 jobs for each EB-5 investor
- Only 6 EB-5 investor slots with a high job cushion
- 2.0% preferred return and a clear exit strategy that complies with EB-5 program rules
Best Western Premier Hotel St. Croix (Equity)
– 2.0% Return – $500K Direct Investment – File I-526 Today
DIRECT EB-5 PROJECT: INVEST AND FILE YOUR I-526 TODAY
- Real estate backed direct EB-5 investment project
- Upscale waterfront hotel in prime location, directly adjacent to major airport
- 120-key full-service hotel with food and beverage offerings
- 43rd and newest location of the Best Western Premier brand
- Established, high-end hotel brand with limited competitors in St. Croix
- Will create 75 EB-5 jobs; 15 jobs for each EB-5 investor
- Only 5 EB-5 investor slots; high job cushion
- 2.0% preferred return and a clear exit strategy that complies with EB-5 program rules
Saltaire St. Petersburg Phase II (Loan) – $500K Regional Center Investment
– Wait for Regional Center Program Reauthorization to File I-526
REGIONAL CENTER EB-5 PROJECT: INVEST AND WAIT TO FILE YOUR
I-526 UNTIL THE REGIONAL CENTER PROGRAM IS REAUTHROIZED
- 35-story luxury condominium development in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida
- 90% of condominium units already sold out
- 30+ EB-5 investors have already joined the project
- 21.1 jobs created for each EB-5 investor
- Phase II of USCIS I-924 exemplar approved project
- Construction is underway
- Senior loan agreement with Wells Fargo Bank
- Appraisal valuation report from CBRE Group
- I-526 refund guaranty
- Construction completion guaranty
- I-526 refund guaranty
- Loan repayment guaranty
- USCIS and attorney fee refund guaranty
- Sister project ONE St. Petersburg, 3 blocks away, is 100% sold out
- 12th EB-5 project by EB5AN and the Kolter Group
Twin Lakes Georgia (Equity) – $500K Regional Center Investment
– Wait for Regional Center Program Reauthorization to File I-526
REGIONAL CENTER EB-5 PROJECT: INVEST AND WAIT TO FILE YOUR
I-526 UNTIL THE REGIONAL CENTER PROGRAM IS REAUTHROIZED
- 1,300 single-family home community development
- Equity investment with 5.0% preferred return
- All required EB-5 jobs already created
- 721 jobs created for each EB-5 investor
- Construction is underway; 200+ homes already sold
- Senior loan agreement with Wells Fargo Bank
- Multiple EB-5 investor guaranties
- 13th EB-5 project by EB5AN and Kolter Group
