December 5th, 2011 |
Over the past few years several thousand families have relocated to the USA using the EB-5 immigrant investor visa. One advantage of this particular visa program is that it has, to date, always had places available and allows the entire family to get permanent residence (the applicant, spouse and unmarried children under 21).
The EB5 Visa (regional center program) requires you to invest $500,000 in what is termed a regional center program. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) have authorized over 200 of these programs.
The type of investment programs vary greatly as does the time period for investment, the current minimum period being four years. As there are so many programs on offer it is not surprising many potential applicants seek independent advice before determining which regional center best matches their requirements. After all, if you make the right choice you stand to get permanent residency status and the return of your $500,000 capital in a reasonable timeframe. However, if you make the wrong choice, you and your family can face potential deportation and the loss of some or even all of your $500,000.
Finding the best independent EB5 advice will not always be as easy as you might expect given that some companies claiming to offer advice that is independent or impartial can be compromised by their close ties to a particular regional center. As an example, some companies undertake seminar programs in various parts of the world in partnership with specific regional centers. They may benefit from sales to the center either in receiving a marketing fee or commission for the number of sales made. In such circumstances you may need to question the impartiality of the advice given, are they likely to point out the weaknesses of a regional center they are closely working with? Are they likely to point out the advantages of other regional center programs that may actually offer you a better option?
Such arrangements can lead to concerns over a potential conflict of interest and the question; are you and your family receiving truly independent advice?
Sometimes a company claiming to be giving independent advice may be actually recommending one particular regional center; indeed it may be the one their founders used when they immigrated to the USA.
Again, in such a situation you are not obtaining the widest possible explanation of the alternatives, including the important positive and negative aspects. Instead you may be receiving a one-dimensional sales pitch to invest in that one regional center.
If you are wondering by now how you can discover the impartiality or otherwise of any consulting company you may use when looking at “What is the best way to choose an EB5 regional center” here are a few pointers as to questions you can ask?
- Since the consultancy company was formed how many of their clients have obtained EB5 visas?
- How many of those clients have obtained I-829 approval? (This is an important stage of the EB-5 process, when conditions are removed from the visa after two years).
- How many different Regional Center programs have their clients chosen? Is it just one or two or is there a much wider range of regional centers the consultancy has clients in?
- Have the consultancy partnered up with a particular regional center on joint sales and marketing trips to various countries?
- Does the company website or correspondence contain content indicating a partnership with one or more regional centers? Do phrases appear such as “I will send you a free information pack all about the Regional Center that we most like to work with”. This has specific implications that the consultancy may be working closely with one particular regional center of their choice rather than providing broader based information on the EB5 program.
- Does the company website contain photos of staff working jointly with a particular regional center at overseas seminars and exhibitions? Again this may raise cause for concern about a potential conflict of interest.
- Have the companies’ staff actually carried out research visits to a significant number of regional center projects? If so the visits need to be in-depth over several days looking into the background of programs.
- Does the company charge you a fee to give you advice? It is not necessary for you to pay a fee.
Immigrating to the USA with your family is a big decision and it absolutely imperative that you receive the best independent and impartial advice available. It is particularly important that you are not fooled into thinking you are receiving independent advice when the consultancy you are considering working with is working on behalf of only one regional center.
Independent EB-5 Visa advice and information is available from Which EB5 – Simply request EB5 information here
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Tags: conflict of interest, EB-5 Visa, eb5, EB5 visa, I-829, independent advice, independent eb5 advice, regional center, USA, uscis, What is the best way to choose an EB5 regional center
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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
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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
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November 23rd, 2011 |
 The ongoing decline in Chinese housing values has had a surprising side impact with increased interest among wealthy Chinese entrepreneurs in immigration to the USA.
While many wealthy Chinese have shown interest in relocating to the USA, until recently the main reason for the move has been to enable their children to take advantage of the world-renowned Universities and Colleges in the USA.
However, concern about the fall in property values in China and concerns about their funds in China has seen added interest among affluent Chinese citizens keen to move to the USA.
For wealthier Chinese, the preferred route has been the EB-5 visa which requires the applicant to commit $500,000 into an EB5 Regional Center project. A substantial number of these regional centers have been approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service.
There has been concern about a number of EB-5 cases involving Chinese applicants who received inadequate or no advice and selected a regional centers that later failed, thereby jeopardizing both the visa and the $500,000 of capital.
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.co or call us on +1-561-771-1330
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Tags: chinese, EB-5 Visa, Immigration, independent information, regional center, USA
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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 17th, 2011 |
 The USA is one of the best places to invest. The country has recently had some economic trouble but it’s already recovering well. One of the reasons for that is that they have incentives for foreign investors.
Some of these incentives were already in place before, but most are being reinforced and revived to help boost the economy. These can vary from state to state, and some states (Oregon, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Colorado and Georgia) even have their own foreign-trade office in other countries.
If you’re a foreign investor looking towards the US, you need to be familiar with all the options offered in different states so that you can make your best choice and maximize your investment.
Recent incentives and efforts by the states highlight their territory’s available sites, prime locations, infrastructure, employee skill sets, favorable tax structures, and labor availability. Other incentives for foreign investors include facilities for continued education and learning such as colleges that specialize in industry research.
A prime example of a foreign company that received incentives is the Kia Motors Corporation. They received a $201.4 Million package for their facility in West Point, Georgia. The incentive program includes millions for their land purchase, a sizable job tax credit and sales tax exemptions.
This is an example of the great opportunities for each state, which can offer millions in exchange for boosting economy and providing new jobs. Neighboring states can even outbid each other as they try to woo a prospective investor.
There are also Discretionary Tax Incentives that foreign investors can avail of. For these incentives, certain criteria need to be met. These criteria can include a minimum stay, a minimum of new jobs for local residents, and a certain amount of taxes that need to be paid.
Other states also have tiered systems to encourage new investors in boosting a developing economy. This can be a newly built enterprise zone or a place that is being repopulated or rebuilt.
The incentives can also be granted over a course of time. Taxes can be waived for the first few years or awarded at the end of a certain term. While more incentives can be awarded once an investor or investment reaches a certain benchmark.
The federal government also has its own incentives. A good example of this is the EB5 investor visa program. People who invest a certain amount of money in a state’s chosen programs are granted visas or green cards for their entire family. This means that an investor can bring his family, including the spouse and any children below 21, to the USA.
To get help in evaluating the incentives for the available states, you can get help from the WhichEB5. They can help you choose an EB5 regional center, (most states have their own), and guide you through the process.
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Tags: Colorado, EB5 investor visa, foreign investors, Georgia, invest, Kia, maximize your investment, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tax Incentives, USA, Which EB-5, Wisconsin
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November 7th, 2011 |
 For those applying for permanent residence in the USA via the EB-5 regional center visa program the process certainly seemed a lot simpler a few years ago. For a start there were only a handful of regional centers to choose from in 2007 where today there are about 200 approved by United States citizenship and Immigration service (USCIS) to offer programs.
Despite concerns at the time that those early investors were entering unchartered waters all those first few centers have remained in business several years later.
Nowadays the EB-5 visa has given birth to a whole industry, but all is not always as it seems. Sales and marketing hype has become an increasing feature with promises and guarantees made that are unlikely to always be kept. A number of regional center programs have been terminated by USCIS not long after opening but having already recruited unfortunate Chinese clients.
A few people who used to champion the protection of the EB-5 applicant and warn about the dangers of the sales people have themselves become sales people sometimes selling their own products in China.
It has become ever more important to get detailed impartial, independent information from experienced experts before choosing the EB-5 regional center programs that best matches your own specific requirements.
Many who are starting the EB-5 process to achieve permanent residence 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.
To receive the latest independent information on the EB-5 visa contact Which EB5
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Tags: chinese, eb-5, EB-5 Visa, experianced, green card, Green Card via the Red Carpet, impartial, independent, permanent residence, regional center, USA, uscis, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
November 4th, 2011 |
 If you are thinking of immigrating to the USA but are concerned about the country’s economic position, and worry if the country is in terminal decline, you may find an article in Britain’s Daily Telegraph interesting.
Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, International Business Editor of the Telegraph makes a strong case that although the USA may have hit a difficult period, there is a strong likelihood the USA will continue as the strongest economic power.
The article refers to a number of experts including Francisco Blanch of The Bank of America, Harold Sirkin of The Boston Consulting Group, Sandra Pianalto Chief of the Philadelphia Fed, and Charles Dumas and Diana Choyleva from Lombard Street Research and authors of The American Phoenix.
The article includes a number of interesting points about the many advantages enjoyed by the USA including having many of the best Universities in the world and concludes that America may well recover its preeminent position in the world.
To read the article go to:- http://goo.gl/MBOi5
Many who are starting the EB-5 process to gain 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.
Which EB5 has a 100% track record in assisting 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: America, eb-5, EB-5 Visa, Green Card via the Red Carpet, pilot program, USA, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
November 3rd, 2011 |
 Andrew Bartlett, one of the Senior Partners of Which EB5 and joint author of Green Card via the Red Carpet, will be carrying out a number of one to one consultations in November and December in The United Kingdom, France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany.
Andrew has made extensive visits to a number of regional center programs throughout the USA and Which EB5 have a 100% success record with over 250 clients throughout the world who have obtained their EB5 visa.
Many of you who are considering permanent relocation to The USA on the EB5 visa may have a number of questions and concerns or wish to know about the experience of other applicants and the issues you need to be wary of.
The importance of doing in-depth due diligence cannot be under estimated.
If you would like to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Andrew, or a telephone consultation, please request via email to: info@WhichEB5.com
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Tags: andrew bartlett, due diligence, EB-5 Visa, eb5, free consultation, Green Card via the Red Carpet, regional center, USA, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
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 » |
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 » |
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