Who approves EB-5 projects?

You can affiliate with an existing EB-5 regional center, who can request preapproval of the project or file the first investor petition, which, once approved, will allow for deference on the project documents to be given to later I-526 petitions.

A project submits the I-924 with USCIS to get an approval. Alternatively, you may look into direct EB-5 or rent a regional center.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have approved the individual EB-5 I-526 petitions that describe each project per applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

An application is made with USCIS. I recommend you consult with an experienced investment immigration lawyer who has successfully applied for regional center designation for other projects.

The project does not require "approval" in order to receive EB-5 investment funds; however, in order to attract EB-5 investors to the projects, the project can either apply for a regional center designation (and along with it file an exemplar petition to vet the project through USCIS) or "rent" a regional center with a proven track record, or can also forgo qualifying under the regional center and opt for EB-5 investments as a direct investment project. There are a few options, with the end goal being choosing the route that would attract the most EB-5 investment funds/investors.

USCIS with a Form I-526 and supporting documents. If you are also trying to get a designation as a regional center, then you need to first file Form I-924.

The Immigrant Investor Program Office (IPO) of the USCIS approves the project by submitting a Form I-924 exemplar.