November 2nd, 2011 |
 It seems that hardly a day goes by without the announcement of yet another regional center program that has been approved by The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). With the number of approved centers likely to head any day beyond the 200 figure some may feel that choice is a good thing, after all choice is very much the American way.
Although the choice certainly offers many options for the prospective EB-5 applicant it also raises some potential problems. The EB-5 is after all a visa requiring longer term considerations such as:-
• Will the all-important ten jobs be created?
• Will I get my I-829 or face potential deportation after living in the USA for two years?
• Will I get my $500,000 back?
New regional centers cannot refer to a measurable track record on any of the above issues and are not able to be easily compared against programs from existing regional centers. However, not all the established regional centers have been trouble-free either. One of the longest established and largest regional center programs has had refusals at the I-829 stage and has a long-standing request for further evidence (RFE) on one of its more recent programs.
There are regional centers that have an excellent track record and newer ones that maybe worthwhile prospects, the importance of doing in-depth due diligence cannot be under estimated.
Many who are starting the EB-5 process to achieve permanent residency status in the USA (green cards) have found it useful to begin their research by reading the only published consumer guide on the EB-5 visa pilot program Green Card via the Red Carpet.
WhichEB5 has a 100% track record in assisting applicants from all over the world in obtaining an EB-5 visa.
To receive the latest independent information on the EB-5 contact info@WhichEB5.com
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Tags: due diligence, eb-5, green card, I-829, regional center, removal of conditions, USA, uscis, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
November 1st, 2011 |
 Recently some clients have been frustrated that after making careful deliberations as to which EB-5 regional center they want to work with their chosen center has filled all positions in its current project and won’t have another opening for a number of weeks. Frustrating as that might be, it is, to me anyway, quite inconceivable to decide to move on to another, perhaps less suitable, project just because it might take a few weeks for a new project from your chosen RC to open up.
Let’s take a quick look at just two of the potential the consequences of a rush decision:
- Risk of losing your $500,000 of capital
- Risk of inferior job creation. Risk of your “Green Card” not being made permanent
Unless you have a genuine timing issue (perhaps a child turning 21 soon) or some other really urgent problem, you might want to re-consider moving from one regional center to another simply to gain a few weeks, the potential losses can be extreme.
If you ever feel the need to discuss this or any other issue we are always here to help. info@WhichEB5.com
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Tags: eb-5, green card, project, regional center, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 31st, 2011 |
 In the midst of the recent economic problems in the US, some people may wonder why they should still invest in the country. After being brought down by the folly of an over deregulated financial system, the country is slowly raising itself back up.
As the US government is trying to jumpstart the economy again, they’ve started offering incentives to investors. One incentive is the EB-5 Regional Center investment visa. This program offers permanent residency (green cards) to an investor, including spouses and children below 21, willing to provide $500,000 to a government-designated Regional Center program.
Regional Centers approach immigrant investors with offers of different projects that need financing to convince them that a certain offer is the best. But you might ask yourself as you scour through business proposals: why would I want to invest in the United States of America?
1) It is still the land of opportunity.
Ever since its start, America has been touted as the Land of Milk and Honey. Generations have traveled to the country to seek their fortune. Even now, there are people striking it rich in America, it is the birthplace of some of the biggest companies of our time: Google, Facebook, and Apple, all of which were started with a simple idea. These companies probably couldn’t have succeeded so well and so fast anywhere else in the world.
2) The economy will bounce back.
The foundation of the US economy is solid. It is, after all, the biggest superpower in the world. Because of its vital part in the intricate web of financial systems all over the world, it is still in everyone’s best interest for it to succeed.
3) The USA is still the center of the world.
From this land comes the rest of the world’s culture, filtered through Hollywood movies, Billboard Top 100s, and many brands that rise to fame all over the globe. This influence and power over the rest of the world is reason enough to believe that it is the best country to invest in.
4) If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere.
This line from the classic Frank Sinatra tune is true. The US can be a tough place for an immigrant, and a tougher place for an investor. Given the country’s attitude towards healthy competition and capitalism, you’re sure to learn a lot, but once you’ve mastered and survived this economy, the rest is easy.
5) The economy is ripe.
Now, more than ever, is the perfect time to invest in the USA. With the recent shakedown in the financial market, there are more opportunities than ever for investors. Both the government and the banks want to stimulate economic growth with lots of incentives and bonuses for investors. It is also the perfect time to get your pick of the best workforce, as most of them are searching for a better option. It is also the perfect time to place an investment in America, because the country needs to create jobs. In return it is offering an opportunity for you to gain permanent residence and even citizenship in this great country.
Before you start the process of securing an EB-5 Visa Green Card for you and your family, you have to understand that you’re not just investing your money; you’re investing your family in a new country. And, despite recent problems, you have to believe that it is still a great country, still the land of the free and the home of the brave.
The principals of Which EB5 are themselves first-generation immigrants; they would welcome the opportunity to help you become permanent residents too by using the EB-5 Visa program. For further information simply request it here.
(This is a guest blog post on Which EB5 blog)
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Tags: eb-5, EB-5 Visa, green card, immigrant investor, investment visa, regional center, US Government, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 27th, 2011 |
 A report in the economic section of The Times of India recently looked at the EB-5 visa as the fastest route to gain permanent residency status in The USA for the applicant and their immediate family.
The article quoted Stephanie Ostapowich of The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) as stating “The programme facilitates foreign entrepreneurs’ capital investment that creates or preserves US jobs by supporting the establishment of new commercial enterprises or help troubled US-based businesses in economically distressed areas.”
The article also quoted recent reports by the National Foundation for American Policy which tracks immigration data. The report stated that getting a Green Card for Indians who have received a university degree from the US can take many years given the large number of visa-seekers and the limited number of visas available. Indian Green Card seekers who have a degree from an American University typically apply in the EB3 visa category.
The EB-5 visa may be of particular interest to wealthy Indian families whose children wish to pursue a University degree and then a career in the USA. Permanent residency status can enable a student to immediately benefit from lower tuition fees and work wherever they like without restriction in the USA. However, the article contains some information which requires closer examination as it indicates investments in a certain program have been retained on average 28 months. This cannot be correct if those investments had been to secure an EB-5 visa. Processing and holding requirements would make it unlikely that funds could be returned before a minimum of four years from the initial inception.
The EB-5 visa requires a commitment of $500,000 in a Regional Center program; the United States Citizenship and Immigration service (USCIS) have so far approved nearly 200 such centers. However, their performance is extremely variable, some have a 100% track record where others are the subject of ongoing investigation by the authorities.
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.
Which EB5 has a 100% track record in assisting Indian applicants in obtaining an EB-5 Visa.
To receive the latest independent information on the EB-5 contact Chase Brodsky at Which EB5
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Tags: eb-5, EB-5 Visa, EB3, green card, Green Card via the Red Carpet, Immigration, India, indian, National Foundation for American Policy, permanent residency, student, Times of India, uscis, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 25th, 2011 |
 There has been a significant increase in the number of enquiries from wealthy Russian and Ukrainian business people who have looked at the fastest way to gain permanent residency in the USA for themselves and their families.
Interest in the EB-5 regional center visa, which requires putting $500,000 into a US Government approved regional center program, has increased over the past two months from both Russia and Ukraine. Wealthy clients are looking to start the process as soon as possible; this visa route is currently due to end in September 2012.
Russian businessmen have been concerned by the potential election of Vladimir Putin as President with concerns on possible tax implications and a hardening of attitudes towards business people. The likelihood of Putin returning as President may coincide with the Russian economy slowing down due to a fall in demand and prices for raw materials which account for 60% of Russian export earnings. A number of wealthy Russians are seeking to move to The USA before this happens.
The prosecution and jailing of the former Ukrainian prime minister and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko has been a matter of concern to many people there as it’s seen as a move towards a more authoritarian administration. There has been widespread commentary and concern that the jailing could be a sign that Ukraine is heading towards possible autocratic rule.
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: eb-5, Green Card via the Red Carpet, permanent residence, regional center, Russia, Ukraine, USA, visa, Vladimir Putin, Yulia Tymoshenko
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 11th, 2011 |
 The expansion of the EB-5 regional center visa program to approaching 200 regional centers, some of which seem both unproven and speculative, along with aggressive selling techniques entering the equation, has raised some concern. Certainly the range of projects on offer is now varied both in content and quality and there have been some well publicized failures.
It is particularly worrying, when a regional center identifies supposedly positive features that are aimed to appeal to overseas clients who are often thousands of miles away and are not in a place to judge for themselves, the validity of the information provided.
A number of regional centers have highlighted their positive features such as offering “solid investment opportunities” and “looking out for potential investors’ best interests”. However, certain claims may only give the positive half of the story and not the negative half. We have researched many regional center programs and identified a number of anomalies not always bought to the attention of potential EB-5 visa applicants.
A number of regional centers claim that on their program not a single I-526 petition has been denied to date. While this claim may be true it is only half the story. From the EB-5 clients’ perspective, the removal of conditions after two years, (I-829) and the return of their $500,000 capital may be of equal importance, after all failure to achieve the I-829 can lead to possible deportation from the USA for the whole family.
A majority of early year EB-5 visa clients have been successful in obtaining both their I-526 and I-829 approvals and indeed a number have received their full $500,000 back, for the unfortunate few there have been less satisfactory outcomes.
The clients in one Regional Center program did not receive I-829 approvals as the regional center concerned had switched their funds to a different program. Although the decision behind the switch was to protect the clients’ immigration status, USCIS were not satisfied that the switch achieved compliance with their specific requirements and thus did not approve the I-829 petitions.
There have also been a number of program failures at an earlier stage. One California Regional center had its USCIS approval to operate programs withdrawn following an investigation by USCIS; but not before a number of Chinese investors had funded their $500,000 of capital into the program.
At the time of writing another Regional Center is the subject of concern following work stopping on the construction of a factory, again a number of Chinese EB-5 applicants have already committed funds to the program.
There have also been issues where a center promotes its relative safety given that is apparently State run and therefore subject to State controls. However, the programs themselves and the capital from EB-5 participants are in private sector enterprises which could fail and it does not seem likely that the State, in such circumstances, would reimburse capital in the event of failure.
It is absolutely imperative that before deciding upon a regional center program potential EB-5 visa applicants are given detailed positive and negative information from specialists.
For a detailed discussion on the suitability or otherwise of using the EB-5 visa program please take advantage of a free in-depth EB-5 Visa consultation with the principals of Which EB5 who themselves are first generation immigrants to the U.S.A.
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Tags: california, chinese, eb-5, EB-5 Visa, I-526, I-829, regional center, State, USA, uscis
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 3rd, 2011 |
 The advantages of US higher education qualifications to your future career is evident by recent rankings showing the United States being home to 7 of the top 11 ranked universities in the world.
- Harvard University (USA)
- University of Cambridge (UK)
- Yale University (USA)
- University College London (UK)
- Princeton University (USA)
- Imperial College London (UK)
- University of Oxford (UK)
- University of Chicago (USA)
- Massachusetts Institute of Tech (USA)
- California Institute of Tech (USA)
- Stanford University (USA)
An increasing number of overseas students want to attend these and other highly regarded US Universities.
Many of these students also require the opportunities to work without restrictions in the USA while they undertake at least a four year course of study they also want to be free to work wherever they want in the USA after graduating. Additionally, many would like the opportunity to pay the often lower tuition rates for in State students rather than the much higher charges for overseas students.
The EB-5 program can, in certain circumstances provide an excellent opportunity for affluent overseas parents to send their children to American Universities without having to be concerned about the restrictions of a Student Visa.
With a commitment of $500,000 in an EB-5 Regional center program, families can obtain their U.S. Green Card for their husband or wife and any children under 21 years old.
Unlike a U.S. Student Visa the EB-5 Visa allows you to become a full time resident and gives you the opportunity to work however much you want while attending a US University.
Many have found it useful to begin researching the EB-5 process 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: Cambridge, eb-5, EB-5 Visa, F1, green card, Green Card via the Red Carpet, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, student visa, USA, Yale
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
September 29th, 2011 |
 If you are considering the EB-5 visa you may know that the programs for most Regional Centers have a capital requirement of $500,000 if the program is situated in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
The length of time that these Centers hold your funds can vary. Currently the shortest specified period is for four years. Many Regional Centers however do not specify a specific period but have very ambiguous exit strategies and indeed we have heard centers say, off the record, that their exit strategy could be thirty years!
You will also incur three other sets of fee over and above your $500,000 capital requirement.
- Fees paid to The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to process your application.
- Attorney fees.
- Administration fees to the Regional Center.
Attorney fees can vary enormously; they are generally in a range of $15,000 to $25,000 but can be as high as $45,000. These fees can vary according to what exactly they include. Some Attorneys have been known to make additional charges during the course of the application process.
A higher fee may not be an indication of experience or success. We are aware of Attorneys who charge at the lower end who have processed many EB-5 applications and have a 100% record of success. We know of others at the higher end of the scale who have very limited EB-5 experience!
The administration fees charged by the Regional centers can also vary enormously but generally fall into a range from $35,000 to $65,000. Again a higher fee is not necessarily indicative of a better program. We are aware of programs at the lower price range with an extensive track record of success at both the I-526 and I-829 stage. We are also aware of Regional Centers charging a much higher fee with a very limited track record.
If you would like more detailed information without charge contact the EB5 Experts at Which EB5
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Tags: eb-5, EB-5 Visa, fees, I-526, I-829, regional center, TEA, uscis
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
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