In order to make it easier and safer for a foreign investor, the U.S. government offers an investment-based permanent residency program which takes the traditional investment and job creation requirements of the individual EB-5 Investor Visa and puts it together into carefully structured and federally-approved “Regional Centers” which offer the same immigration benefits without the difficult task of new business creation from the investor.

It works like this: by pooling the investment funds of multiple investors, these highly controlled and professionally managed Regional Centers create diversified investment pools which not only stimulate the U.S. economy, but allow for indirect job creation. These investments and indirect jobs are essentially “pro rated” among the investors to meet the requirements and they offer the same permanent residency.

While you'll read about the “Regional Centers” as “passive” investments, they are anything but “passive”. In fact, the job generation activity and regional economic impact tends to be far greater – more “active” – than that possible by any individual investment. The main difference is the existence of a professional team, approved by the federal government, to manage the investor funds and guide the investment to its ultimate purpose: a powerful economic impact on U.S. communities and jobs AND permanent U.S. residency for its investors.

Why is a Regional Center a better option for an investor?
This question depends upon the expectations of each investor, the primary reason is to pursue U.S. permanent residency without having to start your own enterprise by letting some professionals handle it. Most Regional Centers are in designated high-unemployment or rural zones; that means that you invest a much smaller amount instead of $1 million. This is a very good reason for most investors.

The Regional Center receives and controls the investment funds and the investor does not have to run the investment enterprise; the Center also takes responsibility for ensuring that the investment there meets the requirement of creating 10 new jobs. The idea is to delegate most of the operational responsibilities of the investment activity to the management team, which is a seasoned team of investment and development professionals.

Choosing the right Regional Center is of vital importance. As with any investment, each investor has a different risk appetite. Some investors are excited, for example, by a Regional Center offering an investment opportunity in latest technology; others are more cautious and will take a very modest rate of return assured by bonds as opposed to something truly innovative. Whatever your appetite for risk, it is critical to have qualified financial counsel review your options as well as the investment documents, which can be lengthy and complicated.

The EB-5 visa category was created by Congress in the Immigration Act of 1990 to encourage the flow of foreign capital into the U.S. economy and to create jobs for U.S. workers. There are 10,000 available visas in the EB-5 visa category annually, 3,000 of which are reserved for foreign investors who want to participate in an EB-5 pilot program designed for targeted investments in approved regional areas. We are committed to providing the most accurate analysis of the EB-5 Investor Visas and EB-5 Regional Centers and welcome your questions. We see our mission as that of giving prospective EB-5 investors the necessary informational tools to make objective, intelligent decisions regarding their U.S. immigration plans. We encourage you to explore our site, read our blog, and consider www.EB5InvestorVisa.com your primary Internet resource for the real scoop on the EB-5 Visas.

E-2 NON IMMIGRANT INVESTOR VISA

The E-2 non-immigrant category requires less investment and no job creation. It is an alternative to the EB-5 immigrant investor category.  The holder of an E-2 visa, his/her family, and employees are allowed to enter and leave the U.S. as much as needed, as long as the business exists. The E-2 holders may engage in self-employment (in furtherance of the qualifying investment), may remain in the U.S. for an indefinite period, and are not required to maintain ties to their home country.