EB-5 Q&A: What are the capital requirements for forming an EB-5 regional center?

 

Answer:

 

A regional center is any economic unit, public or private, engaged in the promotion of economic growth, improved regional productivity, job creation, and/or an increased domestic capital investment. USCIS rules and regulations establish eligibility criteria for a regional center and annual reporting requirements.

 

There is no minimum capital requirement. In addition to the capitalization of the regional center, other costs of setting up and obtaining USCIS approval of a regional center may include fees for an immigrant attorney, an economist, a business and securities attorney, a business plan writer and a market analyst.

 

Cash, equipment, inventory, other tangible property, cash equivalents, or indebtedness secured by assets owned by the regional center can be used as the capital.  However, the professionals needed in the application preparation and process may likely require payment in cash.   An explanation regarding the sources of these fund should be provided in your business plan.