To encourage immigration through the EB-5 program, Congress created a separate EB-5 category that sets aside 3,000 green cards each year for foreign investors who invest in “designated regional centers.”

Regional centers are entities approved by the U.S. federal government to seek and accept foreign investment under the program. Regional centers often encompass an entire city or part of a state.

The EB-5 Regional Center Program allows a person and his or her immediate family members to obtain a green card (i.e. live permanently in the U.S.) by investing US$500,000 into a regional center investment project located in a targeted employment area and creating or saving 10 U.S. jobs.  

Many individuals prefer pursuing a green card through a regional center since the program does not require the entity in which the individual puts his or her money to itself employ 10 U.S. workers. Instead, it is sufficient if 10 or more jobs will be created directly or indirectly as a result of the investment.

Moreover, because 3,000 green cards are set aside each year, there are no multi-year backlogs or excessive waiting periods as there are for many employment and family-based green card categories.

Finally, by pursuing a green card through a regional center, individuals are not required to manage their investment on a daily basis and are permitted to pursue other professional and personal ventures.