Finding the right EB5 regional center and project takes time. Beyond seeing if a regional center meets USCIS visa job creation requirements, what should potential investors look for when researching?
There are a variety of factors to take into consideration when looking into an EB5 regional center.
Here are EB5 regional center advantages to look for:
- They are approved and qualified by USCIS
- They have a significant number of approved I-526 petitions and I-829 petitions
- They take advantage of targeted employment areas (TEAs) for reduced investment amounts
- They can assist with relocation
- They possess a strong international marketing plan
- They possess familiarity with local economies (where projects are located)
- They can preserve capital with safeguards
- They have exit strategies that are independent of other investors
- They have market rate returns on investment
- Collateral value
- They guarantee EB5 visa program compliance
- They have conservative job creation estimate with substantial over-creation
- No jobs based on Tenant Occupancy Theory (No job-creation credit given for employees of a future building's tenants.)
- Job creation through direct, indirect or induced jobs
- They have a management team that has past experience with this type of project
- Full refund of EB5 investment if the EB5 visa is denied