EB5 Regional Center Application Often Specifies Florida and the Southwest

People moving themselves and their families to the United States under the EB5 investor immigration program seem to love the state of Florida and other warm locations. In 2011, six of the ten most popular locations for EB5 immigration were in Florida, with the Lakeland-Winter Haven area most popular. Other su
n belt locations are popular too, including the Phoenix area, Las Vegas, and Honolulu.

Major Urban Areas Also Popular with EB-5 Investors

New York City and Los Angeles also have their share of EB5 immigrants, who have helped fund major redevelopment projects in pockets of cities hard hit by the 2008 recession. But there are also less well-known areas that have targeted EB5 immigrants and actively courted them for reinvestment. For example, the state of Vermont's Regional Center is directly supervised by the state government and has seen great success.

Elements of a Successful EB5 RegionalCenter Application

When U.S. developers and entrepreneurs apply for Regional Center status so as to attract investment capital under the EB5 program, they must demonstrate several things in their application:

• A clear geographic delineation of the area served
• Specific industries EB5 immigrants can invest in
• Economic reports showing how the Regional Center creates or saves at least 10 jobs per investor
• Corporate documents such as operating agreements
• Detailed budget and marketing information

Why Immigrants Love EB-5

Investors from all over the world love the EB5 program because it offers tremendous flexibility. Applicants can choose to live in a region where they have always wanted to live, can send their children and stepchildren to U.S. colleges and universities, and they can choose their level of day-to-day involvement with their investment project.

Why U.S. Businesses Love EB-5

U.S. businesses love the EB5 program because it brings much-needed capital into areas that need it, without costing taxpayers any money. EB-5 Regional Centers must be designed to create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs per investor. Many U.S. projects regularly travel to countries like China, where the largest percentage of EB5 immigrants are from, in order to attract investment under the EB5 investors program.

Consultants Assist Immigrants with the EB5 Visa Process

 EB5 consultants assist immigrants who want to move themselves and their families to the United States under the EB5 immigration program. This type of immigration allows investors from around the world to invest a minimum of $500,000 in a U.S. business that will preserve or create a minimum of 10 full time jobs. Most EB5 immigrants are from China, but people from other countries are increasingly realizing the benefits of this program.

The Regional Center Selection Process

If an EB5 immigrant wants to start his or her own U.S. business, the minimum investment is $1 million. However, by investing in a designated Regional Center in an area hard hit by the 2008 recession, the immigrant can apply for an EB5 visa with only $500,000. There are over 200 Regional Centers in the U.S., and EB-5 consultants help applicants find the best Regional Center investment for their interests.

Will EB5 Caps Be Reached in 2013?

The EB-5 immigration program allows up to 10,000 people per year to move to the U.S. Since the program's inception in 1990, the number of EB5 immigrants has been well below this level. However, with U.S. businesses specifically courting potential EB5 immigrants, and with more foreigners learning about the program, numbers have been increasing. Some experts the 10,000 visa limit to be reached in 2013.

Forms and Deadlines Are Critical

Like any type of immigration, the EB5 program is complex. Forms and documentation must be provided in the right formats and must meet hard deadlines. EB-5 consultants are skilled in knowing exactly what is needed and when it must be submitted so as not to jeopardize immigrant chances of receiving a visa. A consultant isn't required for immigration under EB5, but many people find consultants to be indispensable.

EB5 Visa Popularity Continues to Increase

U.S. business interests have shown increasing enthusiasm for the EB5 program in recent years, in large part due to a shaky economic recovery. EB5 brings in needed capital in areas that need it, and immigrants from all over the world are able to realize their dream of living in America, creating a classic win-win situation.

EB5 Experts Expect Continuing Appeal for Chinese Investors

For international investors, visas granted under the EB5 immigration program are increasingly linked to types of investments favored by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  USCIS tends to focus on issues of tenant occupancy, visitor spending, and job displacement. EB5 experts are increasingly able to steer investors toward investments that the USCIS is less likely to have questions about.

EB5 Applicants Prioritize Safe Investments

Regional Center officials from the U.S. are showing a trend toward promoting projects where EB5 investment is 50% or less and where the government either funds part of the project, or offers various credits. As for investors themselves, the priority is often on the safety of the investment rather than on a high rate of return on their investment. For many EB5 investors visas are a means for giving children access to U.S. higher education.

Demand by Chinese Investors Shows No Slowdown

Chinese nationals are continuing to show enthusiasm toward the EB5 program. Some immigration programs, specifically those in Canada and Australia, are less available to Chinese nationals. Experts on the EB5 program expect that the limit of 10,000 EB5 visas in a year will be reached for the first time in 2013. History shows that once a Chinese investor's I-526 form is approved, the I-829 form will generally be approved as well.

Korea, India Showing Increased Interest in EB5

The state of Vermont has been a leader in pursuing EB5 investment, specifically in the recreation sector and also in biotech. The city of Newport plans a major redevelopment effort, partly due to an expected influx of EB5 investors. Trips to Korea and India have been very positive for those promoting investment in projects in Vermont.

South and Central American Interest Grows As Well

While Chinese nationals make up the majority of EB5 investors visas are also going to increasing numbers of investors from India and various countries in Central and South America. Mexico is seeing increasing numbers of wealthy investors moving to the U.S. under the EB5 program, and this trend is expected to continue as more people want to bring their children to the U.S. to pursue higher education.

Examples of EB5 Green Card Program Investments

Up to 10,000 investors from countries worldwide participate in the EB5 green card immigration program, which allows people to invest in U.S. enterprises in order to receive a two-year conditional green card. Assuming all program requirements are met, these immigrants can have conditions removed from their green cards after two years, and after a further three years may pursue U.S. citizenship.

Investors from Iran

Since 2006, the country with the fifth greatest number of EB5 investors has been Iran. In 2011, Iran accounted for over 3% of the EB5 visas granted. Whenever an EB5 investor immigrates to the U.S., at least $500,000 is injected into a local economy. With the number of projects in which EB5 investors may participate growing steadily, enterprises are increasingly reaching out to Iranians as potential investors.

Investors from China

Around 70% of EB5 investors come from China. Representatives from U.S. EB5-eligible projects travel to China regularly to appeal to Chinese nationals interested in coming to the U.S. under the EB5 program. Two U.S. regions that have benefited greatly from EB5 investment from Chinese immigrants are the states of Vermont and Florida. An organic shrimp farm in the small Florida town of Fellsmere is appealing to Chinese EB5 immigrants as are resort and biotech projects in Vermont.

Investors from Ireland

Irish nationals sometimes choose EB5 investment as a way to retire in the U.S. or to send their children or stepchildren to U.S. colleges and universities. One reason the EB5 program appeals to older immigrants is that investors can choose their investment to suit the level of day-to-day involvement they want. Investors may be active and hands-on, or they may operate more as a silent partner and leave the hands-on operation to others.

Investors from Vietnam

Vietnam has experienced healthy economic growth over the past 20 years or so, and one result has been an increase in the number of wealthy Vietnamese. Increasing numbers of these Vietnamese nationalists are looking to the EB5 program in order to take advantage of entrepreneurial projects in the United States. Many of them also choose to move to the U.S. in order to educate children at U.S. colleges and universities.

Some Quick Facts About EB5 Immigration

EB5immigration allows immigrants to obtain a conditional two-year Green Card by investing in a business venture in the U.S. in one of three ways:

• Starting up a new business with a minimum capital investment of $1 million
• Purchasing and restructuring an existing business with a minimum $1 million investment
• Investing a minimum of $500,000 in a qualifying Regional Center project

The enterprise in which the immigrant invests may be any for-profit entity engaged in a lawful business.

Types of Capital Investment in the EB5 Program

The typical investment under the EB-5 immigration program is in the form of cash. However equipment, inventory, cash equivalents, and other tangible property may qualify as long as the investor is personally liable for the assets. The EB5 immigrant must prove that the investment capital was obtained lawfully.

Creation of Jobs by Investor Immigrants

The business venture started by the EB-5 immigrant must create 10 or more full time jobs for U.S. residents, not including the investor's spouse or children. "Full time" is defined as a minimum of 35 hours per week. Two employees may share a full time job, but part time positions cannot be added together to equal a full time job even if the two add up to more than 35 hours per week.

Some Requirements for EB5 Applicants

The application submitted to the INS under the EB-5 immigration program must include:

• Proof that the capital has been placed in escrow and is ready to be transferred into the business enterprise
• Proof that the necessary capital has been invested
• Proof that the investment capital was obtained lawfully

 
There are many other requirements, and many investor immigrants work with EB5 consultants during the application process to ensure all procedures are followed.

Pursuing U.S. Citizenship Under EB5

After two years, the EB-5 immigrant may petition to have conditions removed from his or her Green Card. Once conditions have been removed, after three more years, he or she may pursue U.S. citizenship. The EB5 program has proven to be very popular among investors from other countries, and U.S. businesses actively court EB-5 immigrants as sources of investment capital.

Examples of U.S. Investment Under the EB5 Program

Investors from countries outside the U.S. can obtain EB5 visas by investing a minimum of $500,000 in a U.S. enterprise that creates or preserves at least 10 full time jobs for U.S. workers. Up to 10,000 of these visas may be granted in a given year, and the program is very popular among both foreign investors and U.S. businesses in areas where unemployment rates are high.

Charter Schools in Florida

In 2012, Chinese investors have invested tens of millions of dollars into the charter school program in Florida and plan to invest even more in future years. Connecting EB5 investors with charter school projects has become a priority with Florida investment advisors. Florida is a popular state for EB-5 investors who want to retire in the United States, due to its mild climate and vibrant international population.

Ski Resorts in Maine

Though Maine has not traditionally had a large Chinese immigrant population, that could be changing as investment groups in the state actively seek out those interested in obtaining EB5 visas. One ski resort is looking to raise up to $25 million in capital for expansion of the facilities. If they're successful, hundreds of new jobs could be created. Maine business owners have visited China to talk to potential EB-5 investors about the opportunities available in the state of Maine.

Hotel Projects in California

The city of Los Angeles has long dealt with hotel room shortages, and a recent ruling by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that "tenant occupancy" job creation counts toward EB-5 job creation goals is expected to increase EB-5 investment in L.A. hotel projects. A new Marriott project in downtown is expected to eventually create over 3,000 new jobs, partly through EB-5 investment.

EB-5 Consultants Ramp Up Efforts

EB-5 consultants in many places in the U.S. are finding themselves very busy assisting investor immigrants with the process of obtaining a conditional Green Card under the program. Though the EB5 process, like any immigration process, is complicated, there is quite a bit of flexibility that appeals to people who want to immigrate to the U.S. while investing in new or existing U.S. Businesses.

EB-5 Investments Pumping Millions Into American Regional Economies

One positive thing about the U.S. economic downturn that hit in 2008 is that it drew new attention to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services EB-5 program. Through this program, immigrants from all over the world are able to invest sums of $500,000 in U.S. projects known as Regional Centers. Regional Centers are projects in economically challenged areas that are designed to provide full-time jobs to U.S. workers (not including the EB-5 immigrant).

American Projects Compete for EB-5Investors

As companies and entrepreneurs in the U.S. have discovered EB-5 investments, Regional Center projects have sprung up throughout the U.S., and they cover just about every type of enterprise, from hotels to retail developments to high tech ventures. In fact, many American businesses now routinely travel to other countries looking for potential EB5 investors. In 2011, $1.2 billion in capital investment flowed into the U.S. through the EB-5 program.

Where EB-5 Investors Come From

EB-5 immigrants come from all over the world, but currently the largest percentage of them comes from the People's Republic of China. In order, the top ten countries from which EB-5 applicants come are China, South Korea, Great Britain / Northern Ireland, Taiwan, India, Iran, Mexico, Canada, Russia, and South Africa. Every year up to 10,000 people come to the U.S. under the EB-5 program.

Immigration Process Is Still Complex

The EB-5 program may strike some people as an easy way to get a green card, but the process is as complex as any other type of immigration. EB-5 immigrants must, for example, show that the money they plan to invest in the U.S. was obtained legally, and they must complete all the usual applications and meet the deadlines required to immigrate legally to the U.S.

Consultants Help EB-5 Applicants Through Immigration Process

Because the EB-5 program requires specific documentation as well as the usual immigration paperwork, and because EB-5 immigrants must specify how their money will be invested and how it will produce jobs for Americans, EB-5 consultants have set up businesses to help these investors navigate the complex process of EB-5 immigration, and they are proving to be very helpful and popular.

Documentation Required for Investment Immigration under EB5

Each year, up to 10,000 visas are available to qualified immigrants who seek permanent resident status based on their engagement in a commercial enterprise. A U.S. employer is not required, and neither is labor certification. This type of immigration allows varying degrees of direct involvement in the enterprise invested in by the immigrant. If you choose this type of immigration you may choose to participate directly in daily operations, or you may choose to have a more passive role.

Eligibility for Investment Immigration

Under the EB5 program, an investor (and the investor's spouse and unmarried children and stepchildren under age 21) must invest a certain amount of money in a new or existing enterprise. The most popular way that people obtain their green card through investment is by investing $500,000 in a designated Regional Center located in an economically distressed area. The I-526 Form Applicants do not have to pay a biometric fee with their I-526, but they do have to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $1,500. Many immigrant investors choose to work with an EB5 consultant from the beginning to make sure that they complete all required documentation on time and to help them select a Regional Center in which to invest. By working with a consultant, applicants are less likely to miss a deadline or neglect to file an important piece of paperwork.

Other Required Documentation

Along with your I-526 form, you will be required to submit documentation showing:

• Evidence that your enterprise is in a targeted employment area
• Evidence that you have invested or are investing the required amount
• Evidence that you obtained your investment capital lawfully
• Evidence that at least 10 full-time jobs will be created from your investment

Removing Green Card Conditions

After two years, you may apply to become a permanent lawful resident by filing a form I-829 to remove the conditions on your green card. You must file this form within 90 days before you have lived in the United States for two years. Three years after having the conditions removed from your green card, you will be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.

How the EB-5 Regional Center Benefits Local Economies

The EB5 program is specifically designed to allow immigrants to promote job creation in the United States by investing in established Regional Centers in areas of the country that need revitalization. Investments must be designed to create at least 10 full time jobs for U.S. workers (exclusive of the immigrant and his or her family), regardless of whether the immigrant investor wants to take an active or passive role in the Regional Center.

Through Raising of Capital

Small businesses in the United States do not have very many options for raising capital. Even as the economy starts to emerge from the global downturn, loans are harder to get than they used to be. Many businesses are turning to EB-5 investors as a way to give their business the financial boost it needs to achieve growth and create jobs. For small businesses, the EB-5 program gives them a unique method for raising capital at a relatively low cost.

Through Increased Cultural Diversification

The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all over the world. Immigrants who enter the U.S. under the EB-5 program add to the rich blend of cultural heritages that has made the U.S. the great country it is.

Through Long Term Planning

Immigration under the EB5 Regional Center program provides a way for immigrants to obtain a conditional green card, for removing the conditions after two years, and for obtaining citizenship after a further three years. It also allows businesses in economically stressed areas to raise capital, create jobs, and grow over the long term.

Considering Investing in an EB-5 Regional Center?

The U.S. allows up to 10,000 people per year to relocate to the U.S. under the EB-5 investor immigration program with an investment of a minimum of $500,000. If you think you may be interested in participating in this program, working with an EB-5 consultant is the best way to ensure you choose the best possible Regional Center for your needs and that you complete the necessary documentation to make your move to the U.S. as smooth as possible.

Is the EB5 Green Card Right for You?

The EB5 green card program allows people with $500,000 to invest to move to the U.S. and invest their capital in one of over 100 EB5 Regional Centers. For people who have investment capital, it is a great way to move to the U.S. along with spouse, children, and stepchildren. The program does involve extensive paperwork like with any other form of immigration, but many investors are finding the EB5 program to be the perfect way to obtain a green card.

Do You Want to Add Jobs to the U.S. Economy?

The EB5 program is allowed to bring up to 10,000 new immigrants into the U.S. every year. While today the majority of EB5 applicants are from China, many other nations around the world are also represented. This program is designed specifically to allow investment resulting in the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers (apart from the EB5 immigrant and his or her family).

Are You Interested in U.S. Citizenship?

After two years with a conditional green card under EB5, the immigrant can apply to have conditions removed from their conditional green card. After another three years, the immigrant may apply for U.S. citizenship. This program is an excellent way for people from all over the world to pursue their dream of becoming a U.S. citizen.

Would You Like to Retire to the U.S.?

Investors under the EB5 program may take an active, day-to-day interest in the business in which they invest, or they may elect to take a more passive role. That means that those who are interested in retiring to the U.S. may participate in the EB5 program in order to do so. Many people have found this immigration program to be an excellent way of achieving their dream of retiring in the U.S.

The EB5 Program and You

Because the EB5 program can be complicated, with extensive paperwork and strict deadlines, many people choose to work with EB5 consultants who know how to help them meet all deadlines and who can assist in the selection of a Regional Center in which to invest.

Obtain Your Green Card Through Investment? Yes!

When a Regional Center finds it is the subject of an EB5 Regional Center application  from an investor immigrant, the occasion is cause for celebration. Many business ventures are discovering that the EB5 program is an excellent resource for alternative funding that allows them to grow with the help of overseas investors who want to live in the U.S. It's a classic win-win situation.

Visiting Regional Centers

While some investors want a more passive role in the Regional Center investment they choose, others want to have an active role and want to visit Regional Centers before making their investment commitments. Many EB5 immigrants request an official invitation from Regional Centers in which they are interested to speed the issuance of a non-immigrant visa and facilitate a visit without a lot of hassle.

Chinese Investors and the EB5 Program

This fiscal year, nearly 70% of EB5 Regional Center applications are being issued to Chinese nationals. China has around 2.7 million individuals of "high net worth" with assets of at least 6 million Yuan (around $950,000). These individuals are interested in real estate and stocks and 85% of them want to send their children abroad for their education. By obtaining a green card through investment, these individuals are able to make solid investments in the U.S. while satisfying their desire for their children to receive a U.S. education.

The Option of Retiring in the U.S.

A number of individuals from many places in the world find the EB5 program to be the ideal way to retire to the United States. Regional Centers are located throughout the U.S. so that investor immigrants can choose based on their interests as well as their geographic preference.

Helping the EB5 Process Go Smoothly

EB5 consultants know that the EB5 process can be overwhelming due to all the paperwork and the escrow arrangements that are necessary. These consultants are increasingly involved with immigrants interested in the EB5 program in order to help the process go as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Investment immigration under EB5 is an increasingly popular program for both immigrants and U.S. businesses for many great reasons.

How the EB-5 Regional Center Helps Immigrants

The EB-5 immigration program allows up to 10,000 immigrants per year to move to the United States and receive their conditional green cards. The EB-5 immigrant may apply to have conditions removed from his or her green card after two years, and may apply for U.S. citizenship after an additional three years. Participation in the program requires a minimum investment of $500,000. Regional Center Versus Start-Up Immigrants under the EB-5 program have the option of investing $500,000 in one of over 100 EB-5 regional centers or investing $1 million in a start-up business that is expected to add at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers (not including the EB-5 immigrant and his or her family). Many people choose to invest in an EB5 regional center because of the lower investment requirement, and because these centers have already shown how they plan to add the required number of new jobs to their operations.  What the EB5 Regional Center Application Assesses  The EB5 regional center application  has to show how the regional center will promote local economic growth and how jobs will be created through an EB5 immigrant's investment. An enterprise seeking regional center status has to submit an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and receive USCIS approval before EB5 immigrants may invest in the regional center.  An EB5 Regional Center for Every Interest  Today there are regional centers in every region of the United States, and they cover a broad range of business interests. EB5 investors may choose to be closely involved with the regional center they choose, or they may choose to have a more passive role. The regional center option provides EB5 investor immigrants with great flexibility and the opportunity to live where they want and participate in an industry they have interest or experience in.  How to Find Out More  EB5 immigration is complex, but fortunately there are EB5 consultants who know the program comprehensively and are able to guide investors interested in EB5 immigration to help make their dream of moving to the U.S. come true. EB5 represents a tremendous opportunity for both investor-immigrants and workers in the U.S.

What You Should Know about Getting Your EB5 Green Card

Your Spouse and Children Can Come With You

If you are approved through the EB5 green card program, you may bring your spouse, children, and step-children with you. You must have been married to your spouse at the time you applied to the program, and the children or step-children you bring with you must be unmarried and under age 21. Many immigrants choose the EB5 program because they want their children and step-children to have greater educational options than they would in their country of origin.

You May Invest a Minimum of $500,000

When you fill out an EB-5 Regional Center application you agree to invest $500,000 in a designated Regional Center. Regional Centers are located throughout the United States, and they cover just about every type of business. You may choose to play an active role in the Regional Center you choose, or you may choose to be a passive investor in the enterprise.

You May Invest in an Already Established Business

When you apply using the EB-5 Regional Center application, you're investing in a business that has already been established. Therefore you won't have to worry about start-up costs or about the many other procedures involved with starting a business. You may choose a Regional Center business because you are interested in the type of business it is, or because it is located in a place where you would like to live.

You May Start Your Own Business

If you want to start your own business under the EB5 program, you may do so as long as you invest at least $1 million in your start-up venture. Like with the Regional Center option, you will be required to create at least 10 full-time jobs in the two years in which you have your conditional green card.

You May Obtain Your Unconditional Green Card after Two Years

After you have been in the U.S. as an EB5 investor for two years, you may petition to have the conditions removed from your green card and obtain an unconditional green card. In general, five years after you obtain your conditional green card you may apply for U.S. citizenship.

Brief Primer for EB-5 Investors

The EB-5 visa program allows non-U.S. citizens to get their permanent green card in two years by investing in job-creating ventures in the United States. EB-5 investors may choose to invest in projects as diverse as high-rises in Manhattan or health care centers in Arizona. Alternatively, they may choose to invest in their own start-up venture with the goal of creating at least 10 full-time jobs.

Who is Eligible?

Those investing in EB-5-eligible projects in the United States may apply for the program, as well as spouses, children, and step-children. Children and step-children must be under the age of 21 and must be unmarried. Spouses must have been married to the investor before he or she applied as an EB-5 investor. Investors must invest either $1 million in their own startup enterprise or $500,000 in a designated EB-5 Regional Center project.

Start-Up or Regional Center?

Those interested in the EB-5 program should work with experienced EB-5 consultants to determine whether they should invest in their own start-up enterprise or an EB-5 Regional Center. Many immigrants in this program find it easier to invest in an eligible Regional Center project than their own project. Another advantage of investing in a Regional Center project is that only $500,000 is required, as opposed to $1 million for start-ups.

Steps in the Process

The basic steps in the EB-5 process for Regional Center investors are:

Complete EB-5 Regional Center application
Select Regional Center project and accepting Regional Center proposal
Sign subscription form, putting $500,000 into escrow account
Await United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) review
Release escrow after USCIS approval
Submit either I-485 or Immigrant Visa application
Receive 2-year conditional green card
Petition to have conditions removed after 2 years

Opportunities under EB-5

Hundreds of business enterprises in the U.S. welcome investment under the EB-5 program. Finding a suitable project and completing the EB-5 Regional Center application are the first steps in receiving a permanent green card. Experienced EB-5 consultants know the process inside and out and know exactly how to fulfill EB-5 visa requirements. It is highly recommended that potential EB-5 investors contact a consultant before the application process.