December 15th, 2011 |
 Yesterday was the last EB5 discovery day of 2011 and it was a great success – Thank You
Our EB5 discovery day meeting yesterday was a great success. I wanted to personally thank those who attended and especially those that stayed afterwards for one-on-one consultations. These new format meeting have been very succesful all year and we are going to expand the opportunity for you to attend in 2012.
During the first quarter of 2012 we will be holding our now famous EB5 Discovery Day meetings in the following cities:
These discovery day meetings are designed for a small group of potential EB5 clients who want to get an in-depth overview of the EB-5 Visa program in a personal setting followed by personal one-to-one meetings with expert EB-5 attorneys and consultants. No fee is charged to attend any of our meetings. You can get more expert EB-5 visa information in this meting than is possible with investing a week on the internet.
If you would like to attend one of our 2012 discovery days please use the following links to request location and date information.
EB5 Visa Discovery Day in Beijing
Existing Which EB5 client
Not yet registered with Which EB5
EB5 Visa Discovery Day in Miami
Existing Which EB5 client
Not yet registered with Which EB5 Existing Which EB5 client
EB5 Visa Discovery Day in Orlando
Existing Which EB5 client
Not yet registered with Which EB5 Existing Which EB5 client
Those of you who are new to the subject of the EB-5 visa program may want to read the only guide written for the exclusive use of potential EB-5 clients “Green Card via the Red Carpet” available in hard-copy or Kindle direct from Amazon.
We look forward to meeting you and discussing your EB5 questions and concerns in 2012. In the meantime we are available for Video & Telephone consultations at any time by appointment. Please email our client services director here to set up an appointment.
+Stephen Parnell
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Tags: amazon, attorney, Beijing, china, consultant, consultations, Discovery Day, EB-5 Visa, eb5, exclusive, Green Card via the Red Carpet, investing, kindle, miami, orlando, USA, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
November 29th, 2011 |
 This is a question we often hear from potential EB-5 applicants both inside and outside China.
With the majority of EB-5 applications coming from China, it may not at first sight be particularly surprising that a number of EB-5 regional center programs are filled almost exclusively by Chinese applicants.
In itself this does not mean there is any particular problem, however, the failure of a few EB-5 programs which has caused problems for their mainly Chinese investors is an indication of the need for caution.
There are a number of EB-5 regional center programs which have been almost exclusively marketed in China through local Chinese agents. There have been several reports that the presentation and sales material for some of these programs makes misleading claims.
The problem is if these claims hide a shortcoming in a particular program (for example insufficient jobs may be created) the applicants may not obtain or maintain their visa, they could also lose some or all of their capital.
The sheer number of Chinese investors who are reliant on Chinese agents to suggest the most appropriate program is a concern. Some agents focus primarily on the size of their commission payment and not the best needs of their client when giving advice.
The strict censorship regulations in China can make it potentially difficult for Chinese EB-5 applicants to receive all the independent and impartial advice available on the EB-5, therefore they do not always have all the information to hand before making a decision.
For the latest information on this subject or for further independent information on the EB-5 visa and/or details of our Chinese associates please contact us at info@WhichEB5.com or call us at +1-561-771-1330
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Tags: china, eb-5, regional center
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
November 22nd, 2011 |
 Rarely a week goes by without us hearing about another lie involving the regional center EB5 visa to the USA. It is no wonder that our Chinese associates regularly tell us of concerns by potential Chinese EB-5 immigrants to the USA on the information they are coming across.
We have discovered a worrying amount of misinformation in China about the visa and immigration to the USA.
Some potential EB-5 applicants are being advised that buying a property in The USA would lead to a visa, indeed there are examples of Estate Agents in the USA advertising this apparent option. However, although such a program is being considered, currently it does not exist and given US political views many feel it is unlikely to pass into law. Therefore buying a house/property in the USA will not currently gain you resident status.
Other lies involve promises and guarantees given by a number of the EB-5 Regional Center promoters and agents. Again we have heard through our Chinese associates about presentations being given in China which contain information which is absolutely wrong.
The big problem is that if an EB-5 applicant selects the wrong Regional Center program they risk losing their $500,000 capital and face potential deportation from the USA. There have already been regional centers which have been removed from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service approved list for EB-5 programs. Unfortunately some Chinese investors had already applied for the EB-5 visa through these centers!
For the latest information on this subject or for further independent information on the EB-5 visa and/or details of our Chinese associates please contact us at info@WhichEB5.com or call us on: +1-561-771-1330
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Tags: china, EB-5 Visa, eb5, immigrants, lies, regional center, Relocation, USA, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
November 10th, 2011 |
 We have issued a number of ongoing warnings about the need to be extremely careful in selecting the most appropriate regional center program that matches your specific priorities and requirements and the need to take expert independent advice as part of your due diligence strategy.
The issues with the Mamtek Moberly project have been extensively reported in an article in the Columbia Daily Tribune and one of the major concerns is the alleged report that the program had attracted a number of Chinese clients who had apparently committed capital to a program that now looks unlikely to go ahead.
It cannot be stressed enough that potential EB-5 applicants should get independent expert advice before selecting an EB-5 regional center project. There are potential dangers in buying directly from regional centers and / or agents who are making sales presentations in China without carrying out detailed research first on all aspects of the program being sold.
There are a number of concerns currently being looked into regarding the problems with the Mamtek Moberly program. For updated information on this or any other EB-5 Visa issue please contact the partners at Which EB-5
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Tags: china, chinese, eb-5, EB-5 Visa, mamtek, Moberly, regional center
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 24th, 2011 |
 At any one time it is likely that a number of those involved in the EB-5 regional center visa business are on a selling trip to China, they are selling their programs to third-party Chinese agents or directly to Chinese consumers. This focus on China is due to the fact that such a high percentage of EB-5 applicants are from China.
Unfortunately, not all the people advising on the EB-5 will have got in their cars or taken plane journeys and actually travelled to the various regional center programs, spent several days looking around areas and carried out detailed due diligence on the area surrounding a regional center project.
The importance of independent advice and detailed due diligence cannot be understated. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) have already closed two regional centers. Both these centers had already attracted investors from China. If those clients had sought the right independent expert advice before choosing those centers, they could have been warned about potential inadequacies with these centers.
A number of centers have had I-829 refusals, leaving the unlucky EB-5 visa holders facing potential deportation at some stage in the future. Again one wonders if these people received detailed due diligence information prior to their choice.
Another program failed to create the necessary ten jobs; result, the unlucky clients failed to get I-829 approval and after settling down in the USA will now face potential deportation.
It needs to be realized that the EB-5 visa program is about far more than sales. At the end of the day immigrants are putting their trust, their families trust, their future and $500,000 of assets on the basis of choosing the program that best matches their needs, the need for adequate due diligence should never be underestimated.
Many who are starting the EB-5 process have found it useful to begin researching the EB-5 by reading the only published consumer guide on the EB-5 visa pilot program: Green card via the Red Carpet.
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Tags: china, chinese, deportation, due diligence, eb-5, EB-5 Visa, Green Card via the Red Carpet, I-829, immigrants, regional center, USA, uscis, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 12th, 2011 |
 One approach taken by potential applicants trying to differentiate the various Regional Center options is to try to undertake a statistical analysis of each regional center track record.
This approach requires a number of considerations as statistics do not always tell the whole story:-
- A well established regional center with a very high number of I-526 approvals, I-829 approvals and a record of returning the capital of earlier clients also has had I-829 rejections and has experienced problems on specific programs. It is important to know what lies behind these issues.
- A well established center, again with a high number of I-526 approvals and I-829 approvals has received a declining percentage of the overall EB-5 visa market over the past few years. Its traditional program model has been less favored since the economic and property downturn in the USA and this could impact on the centers exit strategy for return of applicants’ $500,000.
- Another well established center lays emphasis in its sales material with its ties to State Government. However, less emphasis is given to explain that the program is a private sector business and the exit strategy for the return of the funds is not tied to the State – in other words if the program hits problems the State is unlikely to step in and refund capital.
- A number of regional Centers sell the majority of their places to applicants from China. There have been a number of concerns expressed on selling practices by some agents in China which are worth considering including the fees paid to some Chinese agents. Problems resulting from this may not appear until the I-829 or exit strategy stage.
Many who are starting the EB-5 process have found it useful to begin researching the EB-5 by reading the only published consumer guide on the EB-5 visa pilot program: Green card via the Red Carpet.
For more information about how to choose an EB-5 visa program contact the experts at Which EB5 for a free in-depth consultation.
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Tags: china, EB-5 Visa, exit strategy, Green Card via the Red Carpet, I-526, I-829, regional center
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 10th, 2011 |
 Another recent piece of bad news about an EB-5 regional center highlights the problems for potential EB-5 visa users and the importance of doing adequate due diligence before selecting a particular regional center program.
Once again the news mainly affects EB-5 applicants from China. We have issued a number of warnings in recent weeks for potential clients from China who do not have full access to US internet sites and are often reliant on the information provided to them by agents based in China. Some of these agents receive high commission payments if someone chooses the program they are recommending.
According to the Pasadena Star-News, a local US newspaper, a Regional Center program was closed last week, with officials from various Government departments in the process of carrying out investigations. According to the newspaper report, despite the closure developers are continuing to seek investors, particularly from China! It was rumored the developers were using official Government seals in their sales literature which potential buyers might assume indicates Government support for the program, this is not the case.
Although questions are still being asked about this program the potential problems do highlight the need for potential EB-5 clients to thoroughly research the implications of the visa and the Regional centers programs they are considering when committing $500,000 of their money.
The sad thing is there are programs available that can point to an excellent track record; however, potential clients, particularly in China, are not always given all the necessary information they need to make a fully informed decision.
Many who are starting the EB-5 process have found it useful to begin researching the EB-5 visa program by reading the only published consumer guide on the subject: Green card via the Red Carpet.
For more completely free information about the EB-5 visa and your choices contact Chase Brodsky, client liaison director for Which EB5
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Tags: bad news, china, eb-5 regional center, El Monte, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 7th, 2011 |
There has been a mixed selection of news on the EB-5 this week with good news concerning a consistent stream of EB-5 immigrants receiving I-829 approval. Bad news regarding alleged potential problems with one program and no news regarding the extension of the EB-5 regional center pilot program or the introduction of premium processing.
Good News
There has been a regular ongoing stream of clients receiving I-526 approvals which is always important. Additionally for those clients we worked with several years ago, there has also been an ongoing stream of I-829 successes. (The I-829 stage removes the conditions from visas and provides permanent green cards). As one client who received news of I-829 success commented, “the program we selected has done exactly as stated and we are delighted our relocation to The USA has worked out so well for us”.
Bad News
There has been bad news this week reported by CBS Money Watch regarding alleged issues with a particular program that had been promoted in China on a Chinese website. Currently the Attorney General in the State concerned is reported to be looking to see if any civil or criminal laws have been violated. We will keep you informed of developments on this issue.
No News
There continues to be no definitive news regarding an extension of the EB-5 Regional center program beyond September 2012 or indeed the introduction in the near future of what is termed premium processing which would greatly shorten the application process. Given the lack of news on these points those of you currently considering the EB-5 visa as your best method of achieving permanent residence in the USA may wish to act sooner rather than later.
Many who are starting the EB-5 process have found it useful to begin researching the EB-5 by reading the only published consumer guide on the EB-5 visa pilot program Green card via the Red Carpet.
For more completely free information about the EB-5 visa contact Chase Brodsky at Which EB5.
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Tags: Attorney General, bad news, CBS Money Watch, china, civil laws, criminal law, EB-5 Visa, good news, Green Card via the Red Carpet, I-829, no news, permanent residence, pilot program, problems, September 2012, USA, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
September 12th, 2011 |
 A recent article in Bloomberg Business week headlined that the EB-5 program has attracted $1.5 billion and created 31,000 jobs, important additions to an ailing US economy. With the popularity of the program, which is due to expire in September 2012, streamlining of the application process by The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) could be very good news.
The Bloomberg article comments that many business ventures throughout the U.S. are finding backers through the EB-5. The article then goes on to say:-
“The primary conduit of investments for the EB-5 program faces an uncertain future. About 90 percent of the money is funneled through private companies, known as regional centers, which match overseas investors with businesses in need of capital. These companies are authorized to participate in the program by legislation that expires every few years. They could be shut down if Congress fails to reenact the law by September 2012.
Immigration Services data show that in the past five years regional centers were responsible for nearly 10,000 jobs and more than $400 million in investment. In 2007 there were only 11 of them. Today there are 147, with 146 more seeking approval.”
US Government statistics show that 1,885 people (about half of them from China) got EB-5 visas in the 12 months through September 2010. In the six months through March 2011, the State Dept. estimates it issued more than 2,100 visas. Regional center directors say the number of applications has increased because it is so difficult for small businesses to get financing these days.”
With popularity in the EB-5 increasing, the cut off date of September 2012 may be a cause for concern (depending on whether it is renewed.) Plans presently being introduced by USCIS to substantially reduce the speed of processing applications for the EB-5 may be very good news, allowing several thousand more immigrants to make their applications before the closedown date.
The EB-5 visa requires a $500,000 investment in a United States Citizenship and Immigration center (USCIS) Regional Center Programs. The track record of these programs varies considerably and investment terms can be as little as four years. It is vital you obtain independent information from experienced advisors prior to making a decision on Regional Center programs.
If you would like more information on these visa options and a free consultation contact Which EB5.
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Tags: Bloomberg, china, eb-5, EB-5 Visa, eb5, news, regional center, uscis, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
August 24th, 2011 |
 In an attempt to find out which is the most appropriate regional center program, some families put a lot of emphasis on information they obtain from statistics.
The problem with statistics is they can present data in a dangerously misleading way.
As an example let’s look at an often asked question -
Which are the EB-5 regional centers with the highest number of I-829 approvals?
OK, the statistics may give you the approval figures, (depending on which source you obtain them from) but they will not give you the all important conclusions to draw from this question.
For example the statistics do not tell you -
- If the approvals were for a regional center that operates different types of program. Some centers regularly offer different programs that vary enormously in quality.
- They will not tell you if USCIS has changed its perspective on the program for that center. Simply because USCIS previously approved a program this year is not necessarily a guarantee they will next year, what happens if criteria changes?
- The statistics will not tell you the likelihood or otherwise of applicants getting their $500,000 capital back from a center. Many EB-5 visa applicants need to have both their visa approved and also to see the return of their $500,000 in a reasonable period of time.
- Statistics will not tell you the very important implications if most of the applicants are from a particular country, particularly a large non English speaking country such as China. It is very important you are made aware of the potential implications of this.
How many approvals are we talking about?
- A figure of 100% on a handful of approvals over a five year period or 80% on several hundred?
- Why a center with one of the highest number of approval figures also has had a number of I-829 refusals, it is critical you are made aware of the extremely important implications of this.
Choosing an EB-5 visa regional center program requires experienced and impartial advice, you cannot simply rely on the statistics given by the regional centers or some of the consultants and attorneys who may actually be working with a particular regional center.
If you would like more information on your visa options to The USA and a free consultation on the strengths and weaknesses of EB-5 programs contact Which EB5
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Tags: china, due diligence, eb-5, I-829, regional center, statistics, uscis, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
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