Regional Centers

Regional Centers in the EB5 Program

The EB5 Immigrant Investor Program, administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), provides a pathway for foreign investors to obtain U.S. green cards by making qualifying investments in job-creating enterprises. Regional Centers play a crucial role in this program, offering a specific avenue for investment and job creation.

What are Regional Centers

Regional Centers are designated entities facilitating EB5 investments within a defined geographic area. USCIS approves them to pool capital from multiple investors to fund job-creating projects. Unlike direct investments, where investors must actively manage the enterprise, Regional Centers allow investors to take a more passive role in the project.

Investment Requirements

Regional Centers typically require investors to make a capital investment ranging from $500,000 to $1.8 million, depending on the project's location. The lower investment threshold applies if the project is situated in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which includes rural areas or locations with high unemployment rates.

Job Creation

One of the key requirements for EB5 investors is the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs per investor within the first two years of the investment. Regional Centers often have the advantage of being able to count indirect and induced jobs, providing a more flexible approach to meeting the job creation requirement.

The Process for EB5 Visa

• Selection of Regional Center : Investors choose a USCIS-approved Regional Center to invest in.
• Investment : Investors make the required capital investment into the Regional Center's project.
• I-526 Petition: Investors file the Form I-526 petition with USCIS, providing evidence of their investment and its impact on job creation.
• Conditional Green Card: Upon approval, investors and their eligible family members receive a conditional green card, allowing them to live and work in the United States.
• Removal of Conditions : After a two-year conditional period, investors file the Form I-829 petition to remove conditions on their green cards, demonstrating that the required jobs have been created.

Advantages of Regional Centers

• Passive Investment: Investors can take a more passive role in the project, allowing for greater flexibility and ease of management.
• Job Counting: Regional Centers can include indirect and induced jobs in their calculations, potentially making it easier for investors to meet the job creation requirement.

Diverse Project Portfolio

Regional Centers often have a diverse portfolio of projects, providing investors with a range of options based on their preferences and risk tolerance.
Investors considering the EB5 program should carefully evaluate Regional Centers, considering their track record, project portfolio, and compliance with USCIS regulations. It's essential to work with experienced professionals to navigate the complexities of the EB5 process and make informed investment decisions.