It’s important that investors do their own due diligence prior to committing to a particular EB-5 project. Here is how to start:
1. Start by checking to see if the regional center you’ve found is on the
USCIS list of approved regional centers. You can also find a list of terminated regional centers here as well.
2. Next hire an EB-5 immigration attorney to assist you with due diligence, project viability, and determining whether the project is compliant with USCIS regulations.
3. Conduct due diligence”what does that mean? This means you’ll want to find out, at minimum, the following information:
-How long has the regional center been around for?
-What are the regional center team’s reputations? What’s the developer’s reputation?
-How many I-526 petitions have they had approved?
-How many I-829 petitions have they had approved?
-How many investors have received their investment back?
-How many similar projects have they completed?
-Does the project have TEA designation?
-Have you spoken to previous investors from earlier projects to find out what it’s like to work with this team?
4. Travel to the U.S. and visit the project site. If you’re committing upwards of $500,000 to a project, it’s important to see in person if the project exists, if it’s at the phase the developers say it’s at, and if it’s currently being constructed.
5. Consult with an EB-5 professional such as an economic adviser to learn more about the project’s business plan and job creation methodology. Will the project create the required jobs you need to secure your EB-5 unconditional visa?
For more information about finding a quality EB-5 visa investment opportunity, send us a message.