EB-5 is generally divided into two categories:

1. Direct investments into a business

  • new enterprise
  • troubled business

2. Immigrant Investor Pilot Program (Regional Centers or “RCs”)

Direct investments:

Investment Requirements:

  • Investor must invest $1 million or in some cases $500,000 in targeted employment areas
  • The investment must be placed at risk for the purpose of generating a return on capital
  • Capital must be shown to have been obtained through lawful means
  • Enterprise must be of benefit to U.S. economy and create at least 10 jobs for full time employees
  • Investment must be in a new commercial enterprise or troubled business
  • Investor must be engaged in the management of the business

Immigration Documents and fees:

  • Form I-526
  • Cover letter summarizing alien qualification for EB-5
  • Supporting documentation
  • Filing fee $1,435

Investor pilot programs (RCs):

Investment Requirements:

  • All requirements for the RC programs are the same as direct investment type or ordinary EB-5’s, the only exception is the law allows for a more relaxed job creation requirement thus allowing entities to include such jobs which are created indirectly through the enterprise.

Immigration Documents and fees:

  • Same as Direct investment type with the addition of a copy of the official USCIS designation of the regional center through which the investment is made.

If you have any further questions about EB-5 or US immigration laws, you can email us your questions directly to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and our experienced immigration lawyers will respond to your inquiries personally and promptly, usually within 24 hours, if not sooner.


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