January 24th, 2012 |
 A couple of weeks ago we heard from a particular family who were looking at the EB5 visa as their best method of obtaining permanent residency in the USA. They had a number of questions to ask and during the course of our conversation it became clear they had learnt about a particular EB5 visa program through friends in their home country.
The regional center in question had strong contacts with this particular country but was a new and unproven center with no record of visa approvals. Unproven centers maybe a concern given there is often little statistical information to factor into due diligence considerations.
As first generation immigrants we can understand why sometimes potential immigrants place emphasis on working with people who come from their home country, perhaps on the basis that they have experience of the journey they are planning to take. However, looking at the regional center project this family was considering it became clear that they had not been given all the information necessary to make a judgment.
Apart from having no track record the regional center had other critical issues.
• The project in question may or may not have been a viable business proposition, from an immigration perspective it needed to satisfy certain standards including creating approved jobs. Failure to do so could lead to eventual deportation from the USA.
• The project had an ambiguous exit strategy. This raised questions such as when or indeed if they were likely to see the return of the $500,000 they would need to invest to make their EB5 visa application.
• It is also interesting to compare current processing times between various regional centers. We are aware of one long-established regional center that currently is having applications approved in six weeks where a number of new small and un-established centers are still waiting for their I-526 applications to be approved over a year later!
It could take several years before an EB5 visa holder realizes that they have made a bad decision in their choice of a regional center project.
Assuming an applicant does get approval for the visa it could be at least two years before they become aware of a problem and later find they have not been approved for the all-important I-829 (removal of conditions) petition. (This is required after two years and approval is dependent on the funds being invested in accordance with the original application and the creation of ten jobs as laid out under USCIS requirements)
In some cases it could be even longer, maybe five years, maybe ten years or longer before investors realize they may not see the return of some or all of their $500,000 investment. Bottom line, it is critical to get independent and impartial EB5 visa information when considering this visa.
|
| |
Tags: due diligence, eb5, EB5 visa, exit strategy, I-526, I-829, immigrant, immigrants, impartial information, permanent residency, regional center, removal of conditions, track record, USA, uscis, WhichEB5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
January 9th, 2012 |
 Encouraging economic data from The USA was contained in the latest jobless figures which showed the jobless rate falling to a three-year low, with an extra 212,000 people finding jobs. (Some credit going to the EB5 visa program). These figures have helped drive the unemployment rate down to 8.5% but a number of politicians have stressed that more needs to be done.
With the Presidential elections due later in the year, there is substantive political pressure to further reduce the jobless figures and the EB5 visa remains one method that effectively creates new jobs for American workers and does NOT have a cost to the American tax payer.
The EB5 visa works on the basis that immigrants to the USA can be granted permanent residency status for themselves, their spouse and their unmarried children under 21 in return for investing $500,000 in what is termed a Regional Center program. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has to date approved over 200 of these centers.
The performance of the regional centers has varied considerably; some have already created thousands of jobs benefiting the US economy, where others have collapsed achieving very little and potentially losing some or all of the investor funds.
For those of you planning to move to the USA and seeking independent impartial advice on the various regional center options the EB5 regional center program is expected to be extended at some stage during 2012, although there has been some discussion as to whether the required investment level may be raised above the current $500,000 level.
For more information on how the EB5 visa can obtain permanent residency in the USA for you and your family please contact Chase Brodsky on +1-561-771-1330 or via email at Chase@WhichEB5.com or register for EB5 visa information here.
|
| |
Tags: american, eb5, EB5 visa, immigrants, regional centers, USA, uscis
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
November 28th, 2011 |
 As we approach the end of the year it is normal for people all across the world to be busy with typical holiday time preparations and as such we normally see a marked downturn in new client contact. However, this year, in contrast to previous years, we are seeing continued strong demand for advice and guidance on all aspects of a potential move to the USA using the EB-5 Visa program.
A variety of factors are apparently at play here:
- Continued trouble, both financial and political, around the world
- A recent rally by the US Dollar that may continue, at least for a while, in light of the Euro debacle – This is seen by many as a sign that a move to the USA should be considered now and not later when the cost of exchanging local currency into $500,000 could potentially increase
- Recent figures from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that the number of applications for the EB-5 Visa continues to climb, with the thought, that at some point in the near future, we might reach the annual maximum of 10,000 Visas
- Continued focus on the EB-5 program by Alejandro Mayorkas – Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Director Mayorkas is devoting considerable effort into streamlining the EB-5 program and he continues to make progress in that direction leading to increased awareness of the benefits this program offers potential immigrants
These are just some of the reasons we continue to see a very bright future for the EB-5 program. However, recently you may have noticed, in our blog postings that we continue to warn of the dangers of NOT obtaining experienced advice when considering the EB5 as your path to a new life in the USA. I would like to reinforce that warning again today. We continue to see new so-called experts enter the arena offering advice on the EB-5 program. All I can say is please ask anyone you may be considering as an EB5 consultant or advisor:
- How many clients they consult with each month
- How many successful I-526 petitions do they have
- Do they have any successful I-829 petitions
- How many Regional Centers have they successfully guided clients through
- How long have they been advising on the EB-5 program
- Which experts do they use to provide legal, investment, accounting and currency exchange advice to their clients
If you cannot get satisfactory answers to those questions please call +1-561-771-1330 or email info@WhichEB5.com for advice – We look forward to adding you to our long list of clients
|
| |
Tags: advice, advisor, Alejandro Mayorkas, consultant, eb-5, EB-5 Visa, eb5, I-526, I-829, immigrants, investment, legal, regional center, USA, uscis, Which EB-5
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
|
| |
Tags: china, EB-5 Visa, eb5, immigrants, lies, regional center, Relocation, USA, visa, Which EB-5
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.
|
| |
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 » |
August 23rd, 2011 |
 According to a recent story in Mexico City’s daily newspaper “Reforma”, The Texas cities of Mission and El Paso are experiencing a population and business boom, as many Mexicans flee violence in the border states of Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, and Chihuahua.
The newspaper reports that many of the newcomers arrive with investor visas, which the United States provides to persons who bring job-creating investments with them.
An increasing number of Mexicans are focusing on the EB-5 regional center immigrant investor visa, which, for a $500,000 investment in a regional center program that has been approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration service (USCIS), allows permanent residency anywhere in the USA for the applicant, their spouse and their unmarried children under 21.
The boom in El Paso, according to the story, can be seen in the growth of the year-old Network of Mexican Businessmen Living in El Paso, which has seen its membership grow to 235 because of the flight from the neighboring Mexican city of Juarez.
“Juarez is no-man’s land,” the organization’s president told the newspaper. The network’s members include restaurateurs, accountants, and professionals in real estate and finance.
The USA may have its problems but these tend to be political and economic as opposed to the persistent violence that seems to have become more and more prevalent in parts of Mexico.
For many Mexicans applying for permanent residency in the USA, confidentiality is all important. The level of violent crime in Mexico is a major concern and it is critical that their plans are kept secret to avoid any problems before they leave Mexico.
If you would like more information on your EB5 visa options to The USA and a free consultation contact Chase Brodsky at Which EB5 who will be happy to set up a personal consultation with one of our managing partners.
|
| |
Tags: eb-5, immigrants, immigrating, investor visa, Juárez, Mexican, regional center, USA, uscis
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
August 4th, 2011 |
Over the years we have talked to many immigrants about the EB-5 visa and have worked with getting on for 300 families from all corners of the world that have opted for a variety of regional center projects. We have a 100% track record at both the I-526 and I-829 stage with clients.
It’s always good to hear how things are going for past clients and I just got off the phone with one of our previous clients who has just received his I-829 approval and is now looking forward to US citizenship in a few years time.
Hearing back from people is so important, both in terms of how they feel they have been treated by the Regional Center program they chose and also how they have settled into life in America; we have families that have relocated to all areas of the USA. The vast majority have been delighted with their American move although inevitably challenges and problems have cropped up from time to time. Being first generation immigrants ourselves we have empathy with many of the issues that have cropped up.
At WhichEB5.com we include details of some of the EB-5 and relocation experiences from our previous clients, if you would like further information or to talk to someone from your country who has relocated to the USA contact us on ++1-561-771-1330
|
| |
Tags: America, clients, EB-5 Visa, feedback, I-526, I-829, immigrants, regional center, US Citizenship, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
July 27th, 2011 |
In the past few months there have been a number of articles in The Economist, Newsweek and Time which in one way or another examine this question. This will be of particular interest for those of you looking into the EB-5 visa as your best route for permanent residence in The USA.
Whatever struggles the US may be going through many people throughout the world would love to live in The USA. A recent immigrant has been quoted as saying: – “America is a land that offers a chance to be whatever you want to be, it is a place where nearly any immigrant can find a niche. In America you can say what you think.”
The sheer size and diversity of America provides new immigrants with a fantastic range of options and choices, in terms of where to live and work, in terms of culture, climate, etc etc!
It is interesting to note that 13% of Americans were born overseas and indeed nearly all Americans were themselves descended from a relative who came from somewhere else at some stage over the past couple of hundred years. Wherever an immigrant may come from it is highly likely that they will be able to find ethnic kin somewhere in the USA if they so choose.
The diversity of America is illustrated by the fact that America has 50 States each with different sets of laws. Whatever your views it is generally possible to find the ideal place to live.
Alejandro Mayorkas of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has been quoted as saying, “People come to America either because they yearn for freedom or they are fleeing for something – be it war or a culture that irks them”.
The Senior Partners of Which EB5 are themselves first generation immigrants and have covered many aspects of the immigration process to the USA in their book Green Card via The Red Carpet.
For more information or an informal chat about your particular immigration needs please contact the partners at Which EB5.
|
| |
Tags: Alejandro Mayorkas, America, EB-5 Visa, Green Card via the Red Carpet, immigrants, Newsweek, permanent residence, The Economist, Time, USA, uscis, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
June 24th, 2011 |
 Many factors can be considered important if you are applying for a visa to live in the USA.
High on the list would be accuracy of the information you are given. I was chatting to a French family at a party in Siesta Key FL last week and they were telling me about their move from Marseilles to Sarasota a few months before. The family had settled into their new lifestyle very well and were loving life in the USA.
We talked about the E2 visa they had used to relocate to Florida and I asked about their plans when their children turn 21. They looked puzzled and seemed not to recognize the potential immigration issue that arises when children reach the age of 21. It turned out that no one, including their Attorney, had highlighted to them some of the potential problems with the E2 visa, including that children may have to leave the USA when they are 21.
Over the past few years I have come across other examples of immigrants to the USA not being aware of all the necessary facts. This problem is puzzling in that Immigration Consultants and Attorneys must know about these issues, and yet sometimes fail to highlight them to the families involved.
Above all, the consequences are devastating for the families involved. They may find their family structure at risk of being split up after a few years if one or more children have to leave the USA as a result of visa issues.
It has been reported that the E2 is not the most appropriate visa for families seeking permanent residence in the USA. Other options such as the EB-5 visa may be more appropriate. Whatever visa route a family may take, being provided with all the information by a competent professional is of the upmost importance.
Given the cost and upheaval of making a permanent move to another country the last thing a family wants to find out after they have relocated there is that they face being deported back after a few years because of a fact they were not aware of.
For an independent overview of all your immigration choices contact Which EB5 who will arrange a free consultation for you with a leading immigration attorney.
|
| |
Tags: consultants, E2, florida, immigrants, immigrating to the USA, immigration attorneys, problems, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
June 17th, 2011 |
 As immigrants to the USA we have become used to the fact that when watching an advertisement on TV so many claims are made it can be hard to distinguish fact from fiction, or to determine the true reality of any product.
Unfortunately the American tendency to make so many puffed up claims and to promote the sales angle covers many things you may buy in America, including some of the Regional Center EB-5 programs.
This sales approach is particularly unfortunate because of what is at stake for families trying to identify the most appropriate program to match their requirements. Not only are they investing $500,000 but get it wrong and the family could face deportation after two years in the USA.
There are a number of sales claims we have identified in the past that are simply not true, for example:-
- A program guaranteeing the return of your investment – USCIS itself states the investment has to be at risk.
- A program stating it has quicker processing times at the I-526 stage – USCIS has confirmed to us all programs are treated equally.
- A program stating it was confident it would not be closed despite investigations being carried out at the time by USCIS – USCIS did close the program.
- A program stressing the security of the commercial property market – However commercial property prices in many areas of the USA have fallen substantially over the past few years and may continue to fall.
These are a few of the examples we have come across in our ongoing research into the many regional center programs on offer. That is not to say everything is bad, there are a number of well proven programs available that have delivered on all their promises and these have generally subscribed very quickly.
If you would like further information on the EB-5 program and/or your specific questions answered from an independent EB-5 expert contact Which EB5.
|
| |
Tags: american, eb-5, expert, immigrants, independent, regional center, truth, USA, uscis, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
|
