What are the requirements when applying for a regional center designation?

The requirements for a regional center designation include showing there is an economic unit, public or private, in the United States that is involved with promoting economic growth (including increased export sales, improved regional productivity, job creation or increased domestic capital investment). The regional center designation application does not need to contain a business plan for each intended project and can use a hypothetical business plan; it can later apply with a business plan for a specific project or projects. To add one more project to its business, this can be done though an amendment to the RC, or by filing a specific investor application that includes all the relevant information and documentation.

While a business plan is not required, it is advisable to include a business plan in the regional center designation application. A business plan would be required for an actual project or exemplar application. Regional center designations can be amended by including a new business plan in the amendment application to USCIS.

A regional center (RC) application can be based on a hypothetical business; it does not have to include a plan for an actual business. Each time an RC wishes to raise EB-5 funds for a new project, it can either: submit an exemplar application for that project which includes a business plan; or file an investor''s I-526 petition, which would include a BP and all other project documents.