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
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyThere 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
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyThey 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
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyA 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
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyI have found no noticeable differences, no priority is given to one over another.
Salvatore Picataggio
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyThere 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
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyBeing 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
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyThere are no substantive, i.e., legal or regulatory, differences between the two. Also, there should not be any difference in processing times.
Dale Schwartz
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyThere is no real difference or time to obtain approvals between private and government regional centers.
Stephen Berman
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyNo 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.
DISCLAIMER: the information found on this website is intended to be general information; it is not legal or financial advice. Specific legal or financial advice can only be given by a licensed professional with full knowledge of all the facts and circumstances of your particular situation. You should seek consultation with legal, immigration, and financial experts prior to participating in the EB-5 program. Posting a question on this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. All questions you post will be available to the public: do not include confidential information in your question.