What are Regional Centers?

Regional Centers are organizations designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that sponsor capital investment projects for foreign investors seeking EB-5 visas. In simpler terms, they are government-approved organizations that help foreign investors put their money into U.S. business projects that can qualify them for a green card. Regional centers may be public or private.

Key Takeaways

• Regional Centers are organizations designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that sponsor capital investment projects for foreign investors seeking EB-5 visas.
• There are currently 712 approved regional centers in the United States.
• According to a 2019 report, 96% of approved EB-5 visas were awarded to regional center investors.

How Regional Centers Work

In general, a regional center is any private or public economic unit specified by USCIS to be involved in promoting economic growth, improving regional productivity, creating jobs, and increasing domestic capital investment. Simply put, regional centers align with the USCIS EB-5 program’s goals of strengthening the U.S. economy by encouraging foreign investment and creating new jobs. 

Many businesses may choose to apply for regional center designation by filing Form I-956. Establishing a regional center is a great way to access funds from EB-5 investors who are looking for a stable, government-recognized investment. 

Another great advantage of investing through a Regional Center is the flexibility in job creation requirements. While direct EB-5 investments must create ten direct, full-time jobs, Regional Center investments can count both direct and indirect jobs toward this requirement. This broader interpretation of job creation makes it easier for investors to meet the program requirements.

Investment amounts through Regional Centers vary based on the location of the project. As of 2024, the minimum investment amount is $800,000 for projects in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs), which are either rural areas or areas with high unemployment. For projects outside TEAs, the minimum investment requirement is $1,050,000. These amounts are often adjusted by USCIS to account for inflation and other economic conditions.

While investing through a regional center has plenty of benefits, careful due diligence is necessary before any investment. It is highly advised to work with a professional immigration attorney on this matter, who can help you conduct proper research on the regional center’s track record and history of successful EB-5 petition approvals.

Bottom Line

For foreign investors seeking a path to permanent residence in the United States, investing in a regional center through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program may be right for you. It is critical to keep in mind that investing in a regional center does not necessarily guarantee you will be granted permanent residency. Moreover, there are several downfalls of investing in a regional center. Schedule a consultation with one of our experts at Attorney At Law to learn more about your options and to see if you are eligible.