What Is the EB-5 Visa Regional Center Program?
The EB-5 Regional Center program allows foreign nationals to obtain a U.S. Green Card by investing in a qualified commercial enterprise that creates jobs for U.S. workers. Unlike the direct investment path, where the investor must actively manage their own business, the regional center EB5 route offers a more passive approach.
Regional centers are entities approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to pool EB-5 investments into large-scale projects, typically in industries like real estate, infrastructure, or hospitality. These projects are designed to meet EB-5 job creation requirements while reducing the day-to-day responsibilities of the investor.
In practice, a regional center functions much like a fund manager: it collects capital from investors, oversees how that money is allocated into development projects, communicates with developers, and ensures compliance with EB-5 immigration rules. For developers, EB-5 capital is not a primary source of financing but rather an additional option — typically making up 20–40% of the overall funding structure, alongside bank loans, equity, and other traditional sources.
Is the EB-5 Regional Center Program Permanent?
The Regional Center program was created as a pilot program, and although it has been extended multiple times by Congress, it is not yet permanent. The current authorization runs through September 30, 2027 under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA).
Importantly, the RIA includes grandfathering provisions: if you file your EB-5 September 2026, your case will remain valid even if the program lapses in the future. This gives investors certainty that their immigration process will not be derailed by temporary program expirations.
Why Most EB-5 Investors Choose a Regional Center
According to 2024 data, over 94% of EB-5 investors chose to invest through regional center projects rather than direct investments. Here’s why:
Passive Investment Model
With a Regional Center EB-5 project, investors are not required to manage the business themselves. This makes the program especially appealing to those who want to focus on immigration and not on running a company in a new country — especially when the Green Card is intended for a child who is studying or planning to study in the U.S., while the rest of the family does not plan to relocate.
Lower Investment Threshold
Most EB-5 regional center projects are located in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) — rural or high-unemployment regions. This allows investors to qualify with the minimum investment of $800,000, instead of the standard $1,050,000.
In FY2024, 13,986 EB-5 visas were issued through regional center projects in TEAs, compared to just 16 in non-TEA regional center projects.
Indirect Job Creation Counts
In direct EB-5 investments, the investor must prove that their business created at least 10 full-time direct W-2 jobs for U.S. workers. In contrast, the EB5 visa regional center program allows for indirect and induced job creation, calculated using economic models. This makes it easier for projects to meet the requirements and for investors to get their Green Cards approved.
Higher Approval Rates
In 2024, most I-526/E approvals went to investors who applied through regional centers. Out of all regional center petitions adjudicated that year, only 19 were denied — a denial rate of less than 2%. Meanwhile, direct EB-5 petitions had a denial rate of nearly 27%.
How Regional Centers Select Projects
Regional centers play a central role in choosing which projects are open to EB-5 investors. They typically partner with developers in real estate, infrastructure, or hospitality sectors. Before offering a project to investors, a reputable regional center will:
- Conduct feasibility studies and economic modeling to prove job creation.
- Ensure the project qualifies for TEA designation (rural or high unemployment).
- Prepare compliance documentation required by USCIS.
- Structure financial safeguards to protect investor capital where possible.
As of 2024, there are 501 Regional Centers registered with USCIS. However, only a small fraction of them have a long and successful track record of working with EB-5 investors. The track record of a Regional Center is a key factor when choosing a project, and careful due diligence is essential. Our team helps investors evaluate EB-5 projects and select those managed by experienced developers with a proven history of success.
How to Choose the Best EB-5 Regional Center
Not all regional center EB5 projects are the same. Some offer stronger guarantees of job creation, while others have better financial structures or track records. Here are a few tips:
- Look for Experience: Choose a regional center with a proven history of successful EB-5 projects and I-829 approvals.
- Review Job Creation Forecasts: Make sure the project exceeds the minimum job creation requirement.
- Check for Transparency: Reliable regional centers provide detailed reports and are open about timelines and potential risks.
- Assess the Exit Strategy: Understand when and how you will receive your capital back, and whether it’s contingent on project performance.
The EB-5 visa regional center program remains the strategic path to U.S. residency for foreign investors. While every investment carries some level of risk, selecting a proven project — and partnering with an experienced EB-5 consultant — greatly increases your chances of securing a Green Card with confidence and peace of mind.
An experienced EB-5 consultant can help you avoid costly mistakes by:
- Comparing EB-5 regional center projects
- Analyzing job creation and immigration risk
- Reviewing financials and offering independent advice
- Matching projects to your immigration timeline and goals
With hundreds of projects on the market, the right guidance can make all the difference in getting your Green Card approved smoothly and securely.
Book a Free EB-5 ConsultationWe are officially registered with USCIS as an EB-5 Third-Party Promoter (Reg. No. PRO000100024) — one of the first approved under the new requirements introduced by the Reform and Integrity Act. We’re also a long-standing member of IIUSA, the U.S. EB-5 industry association, and have been helping investors succeed in the program since 2017.
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