October 28th, 2011 |
 If you are considering the EB-5 visa as the quickest method to achieve permanent residency in the USA for you and your family, you will be requiring the latest independent information on this visa and the background information on the many Regional Centers that claim they have the best program!
Unfortunately there are many important issues you are not told in all the sales material. A lack of information has led to a number of EB-5 users facing potential deportation and others facing the loss of some or all of their $500,000.
It is absolutely vital that you receive detailed, impartial, information before deciding which program best matches your specific requirements. However, a number of the sources that claim to be independent actually have sales / marketing agreements with specific regional centers so beware.
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.
To receive the latest independent information on the EB-5 Visa program contact Chase Brodsky at Which EB5
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Tags: EB-5 Visa, Green Card via the Red Carpet, immigration update, impartial information, independent, permanent residence, regional center, update, USA, 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 19th, 2011 |
 When faced with the mass of sales material available on the EB-5 visa, some potential applicants feel they need a select an immigration attorney as their first step in choosing between the nearly two hundred Regional Center options.
What some may fail to realize is that although they will need to use an immigration attorney to advise and prepare their visa application, immigration attorneys may not necessarily be their best choice to educate and guide them through the actual regional center program selection process.
There are a number of reasons for this:-
- Conflict of interest – If the immigration attorney is being paid by the applicant to carry out the processing of the application and is also being paid a fee by one or more regional centers to recommend their projects to the applicant then a conflict of interest may be a potential issue.
- Lack of detailed information – Has the immigration attorney actually visited and studied the regional center programs? Some of the strengths and weaknesses of various EB-5 programs only become clear after a detailed visit has been made to a program. However, many immigration attorneys have not had the time to do this and maybe limited in the amount of detailed information they can give.
- Levels of experience – Very few immigration attorneys have filed over one hundred EB-5 applications with The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), whereas others may not have filed any, or only one or two.
- Some immigration attorneys work exclusively, or almost exclusively, with particular regional centers, again raising the question as to whether there may be a potential conflict of interest.
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 EB-5 can arrange for you to receive a free initial consultation with an expert EB-5 attorney; click the red “Stop” image above for full details.
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Tags: attorney, EB-5 process, EB-5 Visa, Green Card via the Red Carpet, immigration attorney, pilot program, regional center, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 17th, 2011 |
 When you are looking into the EB-5 visa there are a number of important issues that need to be taken into consideration. One of the most important points relates to job creation. Discussions with potential EB-5 applicants show that this area is often not given a high enough priority.
The EB-5 visa requires ten jobs to be created in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
There are a number of problems which can arise regarding the creation of the required ten jobs. The evidence showing that the ten jobs have been created can be a particularly important consideration at the very important I-829 stage (the removal of conditions).
The following are just some of the problems which can arise:-
- The investment is switched by the regional center to another program which does not meet the TEA criteria; this can lead to refusal of an I-829.
- The program hits operating or financial difficulties which necessities a reduction in costs. These reductions may include staffing, which could bring the number of jobs created below the all-important figure of ten.
- Some regional centers programs rely on creating ten direct jobs, a method which may in certain circumstances be difficult to prove.
- A number of regional centers use the “fund-of-funds” type programs on the basis that it may reduce risk. However, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has expressed concern on how such programs will be able to allocate job creation between the various programs to ascertain the required ten jobs.
Job creation is very much central to the success of the EB-5 program and it is critical you look beyond the claims made by regional center programs to ascertain just how realistic their job creation plans are.
Just how important those ten jobs are becomes evident when they are not created. Deportation is a possibility if the I-829 petition is unsuccessful and the non-creation of the ten jobs is a strong reason for an I-829 refusal.
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 on how important the job creation aspects of the EB-5 visa are and how they can affect your EB-5 decision-making process contact Chase Brodsky at Which EB-5 for a free consultation.
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Tags: EB-5 Visa, Green Card via the Red Carpet, I-829, job creation, uscis, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 13th, 2011 |
 Given the Regional Centers offering EB-5 visa programs face ever-increasing levels of competition it is not surprising that there are concerns about the lavish sales claims made by a number of these centers to gain competitive advantage.
We have for a number of years expressed concern about the information sometimes provided by certain centers and the promises made by some agents which at best can at times be economical with the truth.
We have had firsthand experience of a number of issues with different centers over the past few years when we have sought feedback from clients in various programs.
Responses have been varied and range from those very satisfied with all aspects of the program they chose to situations where some have expressed a number of concerns. One issue revolves around exit strategy or the return of the original $500,000 capital. In one case an agent for an established center has alluded to a possible exit strategy that apparently from those who have tried it is not as specified. Those exiting have found they may receive a lot less than their original $500,000.
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 Visa, exit strategy, facts, fiction, Green Card via the Red Carpet, lies, truth
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 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 » |
October 4th, 2011 |
 One issue this site sets out to emphasize is the need for prospective EB-5 applicants to fully understand all the facts before deciding on a particular EB-5 Regional Center program.
As one of very few sites working only with individual clients from all over the world, and not providing marketing or sales advice to Regional Centers, we continually stress the importance of looking behind the promises and sales messages of Regional Centers to identify the actual reality.
There have been a number of examples of EB-5 clients coming across problems with their chosen EB-5 program several years after selection.
A number of people have been successful with their original I-526 application and indeed their subsequent I-829 application for removal of conditions. However, after several years when they were hoping to see their capital returned they have found, in reality they face a probable wait of many more years before they are likely to see the return of their funds.
In the current economic climate (in the USA) many investments are suffering from losses, particularly some associated with domestic and commercial real estate.
There is however proven and specific EB-5 programs which clearly lay out a timed exit strategy for return of the capital and also comply with all USCIS requirements.
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 the EB-5 visa experts at Which EB5.
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Tags: EB-5 Visa, Green Card via the Red Carpet, pilot program, uscis, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
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