How are private and government-run regional centers different? - EB5Investors.com

How are private and government-run regional centers different?

I have heard that some regional centers are privately-run, while others, such as in Vermont, are run by the government. Are there any differences when investing through a government-run regional center? Will the EB-5 process be quicker through a government-run regional center? Why are there so few public-private regional centers?

Answers

A Olusanjo Omoniyi

A Olusanjo Omoniyi

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

There is no difference in terms of goals, compliance with the laws and other regulatory requirements between private and public regional centers. Goals-wise, both types are set up for economic development and profitable purposes. Also, both types must comply with state and federal laws particularly on issues such as securities and immigration laws. There is no rule or regulation that bars the establishment of either public or private regional centers. The fact though is that few public regional centers exist as opposed to the plethora of private ones and this is largely because fewer governments (local/municipal or state) have undertaken setting-up and operating their own regional centers. Last but not the least, in several instances there are projects which are products of public-private partnerships.

Julia Roussinova

Julia Roussinova

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

They do not significantly differ and the processing will not be quicker. As a general rule, you will need to do due diligence and look at the track record of a regional center as well its management structure and quality of projects available for investment. Certain privately-owned regional centers are very successful and achieve great results for their EB-5 investors.

Denyse Sabagh

Denyse Sabagh

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

A state such as Vermont can be a regional center and it can partner with companies who are doing the EB-5 projects.

John J Downey

John J Downey

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

I have found no noticeable differences, no priority is given to one over another.

Salvatore Picataggio

Salvatore Picataggio

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

There really will not be any difference in a state-owned regional center compared to a privately-owned regional center. We are seeing more government entities (states, economic development commissions, etc.) getting interested in EB-5.

Lynne Feldman

Lynne Feldman

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

Being public or private does not make them better or worse. You need to look at the management of any project, as well as all of the documents relating to your rights and obligations as an investor.

Fredrick W Voigtmann

Fredrick W Voigtmann

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

There are no substantive, i.e., legal or regulatory, differences between the two. Also, there should not be any difference in processing times.

Dale Schwartz

Dale Schwartz

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

There is no real difference or time to obtain approvals between private and government regional centers.

Stephen Berman

Stephen Berman

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

No regional centers are government-run. There is a Vermont Service Center, which is not an investment center, but rather is the US Citizenship and Immigration Service regional processing center.

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