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Questions and Answers > EB-5 Investments

How may I earn money by referring clients?

I want to refer investors to specific EB-5 projects as a profession. How can I collect a fee for doing so? Which professions refer investors to EB-5 projects for money?

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Answers

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    Reza Rahbaran

    Immigration Attorney
    Answered on

    Only SEC licensed and registered brokers may lawfully receive a finder fee. However, a license is not required if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and operating outside the U.S.

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    A Olusanjo Omoniyi

    Immigration Attorney
    Answered on

    Generally, you need to be a licensed securities representative/broker with a good understanding of both state and U.S. securities law. If you want to work as a registered broker for regional centers (RCs), you need to contact each RC you want to work with so as to understand their hiring requirements for investors referral program. If you are a U.S. resident, as a referring broker you are more or less considered an investment advisor, and you are supposed to have securities licenses such as Series 63, Series 7, Series 65 and even perhaps other licenses. Besides contacting the RCs, for further information check the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc (FINRA) (www.finra.org) and Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov ) to familiarize yourself with the regulations of the securities industry. If you are not in the United States, check your country''s securities laws, some countries require registration, while others do not. Advisably, regardless of where you live, consult securities and/or EB-5 attorney for guidance on the issues you raised.

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    Philip H Teplen

    Immigration Attorney
    Answered on

    Officially, you should register with the SEC as a broker dealer.

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    Kyle Barella

    Immigration Attorney
    Answered on

    If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and you reside abroad, you may accept "finder" fees. If you are U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must take the requisite securities exams and register with a broker/dealer firm. That is the only way you may legally accept finder fees.

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    Ed Beshara

    Immigration Attorney
    Answered on

    Any fees for referring investors to projects has to be in full compliance with USCIS and SEC regulations. For instance, a licensed and registered broker/dealer may give business and investment advise to the investor and receive a fee.

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    Salvatore Picataggio

    Immigration Attorney
    Answered on

    You may want to carefully review the SEC regulations (S and D) regarding broker/dealer arrangements. As an attorney, we receive our fees from clients we represent for legal work and are regulated by state bar associations regarding referral fees.