How do I go about choosing a regional center in a TEA?

You can consult an EB-attorney to gain an overview of what is EB-5 all about, how to choose a regional center, the definition of a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) and which project to invest in. Lastly, such a consultation should result in gaining a better understanding of what are the requirements to participate in EB-5 and how to meet them.

You pick a regional center project located in a TEA that, in your opinion, appears to be a good investment. Most projects will be located in TEAs. You may wish to contact regional centers in the area where you reside in order to visit with the project managers. You should pick a project where the developer has a great deal of successful experience. You can always seek out legal counsel familiar with regional centers and project developers that have a great track record of having their EB-5 investor petitions approved.

There are lots of requirements to fulfill when working with regional centers. I suggest you get competent legal advice. You need to determine if a return on investment is viable and if the regional center has a good track record in successfully getting investors green cards.

The key is to choose a good project. Some great regional centers have average projects. You must do due diligence on the project to ensure it is worth your investment. I would recommend you find an experienced lawyer and schedule a consultation.

It is strongly recommended that you hire an EB-5 attorney at the inception of your EB-5 case. He or she will be able to discuss all EB-5 program requirements for an EB-5 visa. Due diligence experts should also conduct due diligence for the regional center project(s) before you invest.

The regional center is only one part of the equation. You also need to do due diligence on the project as each is significantly different. And as with most investments, past results do not guarantee a positive outcome in the future.

With that said, your due diligence of a regional center should focus on their track record. This means figuring out their approval rates for I-526s, I-829s, and rate of returning the money of the investor. Another factor is their association with the ongoing projects. Some regional center owners are also the project developers. In such an instance, there may be a significant conflict of interest that works to your disadvantage.

There are so many projects available for you to consider. You need to conduct your due diligence before making an investment and you should also consult an investment advisor before making a final decision.

You should do a thorough vetting of the potential regional center that you are considering of investing in.