How are investments directed to an EB-5 regional center?

Generally, inquiries by foreign nationals about EB-5 do not go through the USCIS. In most cases, inquiries may either go directly to the regional centers or through legal representative(s) of the foreign nationals. For further and appropriate information, consult an EB-5 attorney.

No; inquiries about regional center investment projects do not go through USCIS at all. Foreign nationals select their own investments, whether through a regional center or not, but it is wise to conduct significant due diligence prior to making the decision to invest.

Yes, a foreign national may choose a regional center without going through USCIS. However, there are 799 regional centers approved by USCIS (as of Feb. 1, 2016). The foreign national/prospect investor must conduct due diligence when choosing the regional center and the project sponsored by the regional center. I suggest enlisting the help of qualified professionals to guide you through the process.

EB-5 investments do not go through USCIS. The starting point is either to do a stand-alone or self-directed investment where the investor manages the business, or to invest in a project via a regional center. There is a list of regional centers on the USCIS website.

No, you locate a project you are interested investing in and conduct due diligence of that project before you invest. This has nothing to do with USCIS. Then your immigration attorney files your I-526 petition with USCIS, which adjudicates the I-526 petition. You should engage the services of an experienced EB-5 immigration attorney before you invest.

You do not go through USCIS. They can give you a list of approved regional centers, but for the selection you are on your own.

Investors file for immigration benefits based on an investment into a qualified EB-5 project that may be associated with a regional center. When filing with USCIS, the investor has to show they have invested or are in the process of investing.

All EB-5 applications are filed with USCIS. The funds invested for an EB-5 visa should be the personal funds of an investor. Therefore, if another person is funding your EB-5, the funds need to be gifted or loaned to you in order for you to qualify as a qualified investor.