Where can an EB-5 regional center sponsor projects? - EB5Investors.com

Where can an EB-5 regional center sponsor projects?

I have a question about EB-5 regional center geographic considerations. I know that regional center authority is limited by location: a regional center whose physical territory excludes the site of the particular proposed EB-5 project cannot sponsor that project. Does this apply to contiguous states as well? For example, if a regional center is authorized to sponsor projects in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, can they sponsor projects in contiguous states like Ohio or Virginia?

Answers

Salvatore Picataggio

Salvatore Picataggio

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

Under current policy, a regional center can only sponsor projects within its approved geographic area. If a project outside of that area wishes to be sponsored by the regional center, a formal I-924 amendment must be filed to add that new geography.

Fredrick W Voigtmann

Fredrick W Voigtmann

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

Best practices dictate that the regional center obtain an amendment to its USCIS regional center designation. The regional center can submit a business plan and economic impact study covering the new geographic areas.

Charles Foster

Charles Foster

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

You are correct that your project must be sponsored by an EB-5 regional center with a footprint or geographic area approved by USCIS that covers the location of the premises of your job creating EB-5 project. One could simply find a regional center that already covers your geographic location or, if a better choice, you could find a regional center that has a geographic footprint adjacent to your state, jurisdiction or geographic area - and if the regional center chose to sponsor your EB-5 project, it could without having to file an amendment to its EB-5 regional center to include the geographic area in which your project is located.

Bernard P Wolfsdorf

Bernard P Wolfsdorf

Immigration Attorneys
Answered on

They can sponsor in contiguous counties. To sponsor in a contiguous state, they have to argue that location will have an economic impact in terms of jobs in the approved regional center. Possible, but not easy.

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