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Welcome to our EB-5 Resource Hub! Here is your go-to destination for clear, reliable, and actionable information throughout your investment and immigration journey. Whether you're a prospective investor or an immigration professional, we offer curated content to help you make informed decisions with confidence.

What is a FINRA broker?
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A FINRA broker is a registered securities professional licensed to offer investment products under the supervision of a broker/dealer.    Brokers are legally required to act in the client’s best interests, putting investor interests ahead of their own. Broker-dealers provide objective recommendations based on informedanalysis,. Our guidance is not driven by our interests, but tailored to your financial goals and are presented in accordance with the US Securities Exchange Commission Regulation Best Interest (SEC Reg BI).

FINRA oversees broker/dealers and their licensed brokers in accordance with their mission Its mission is to safeguard investors by ensuring broker-dealers act fairly and transparently.. This may be a difference with some regional centers, are not all are subject to the same standards and oversight.

What changes happened to the EB-5 program?
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The 2022 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) created numerous changes to the program, including:

  • New visa classifications (set-aside visas), 
  • Changes to the minimum investment amount ($800,000 for Set Aside, $1,050,000 for Unreserved)
  • Reduced investment period (now a minimum of two years after capital is available to project sponsor)
  • ETC
Does my family also get green cards?
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The Employment Based Fifth Preference Visa (EB-5 Visa) is offered to the primary petitioner and their immediate family, including parents, spouses, and dependent children under the age of 21. All family included on a petition will be required to submit thorough documentation and attend immigration interviews with the primary petitioner.

Does it cost you extra to use an investment broker?
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We do not charge EB-5 investors hourly consultation fees. Our brokers are compensated by project sponsors through a pre-arranged broker-dealer agreement, which is typically covered partially by the project’s administrative fee. This means investors do not pay an additional fee to work with our brokers in our role as a registered representative. This compensation structure ensures investors can access licensed brokerage support without an additional upfront cost.

Do I have to be in the U.S. to apply?
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EB-5 immigrants may apply for the EB-5 program regardless of their immigration status or country of residency. U.S. residents with a current visa can undergo an “Adjustment of Status”, which transitions their current visa to an EB-5 visa. Residency and work authorization is maintained during this process. 

Investors overseas can apply and undergo “consular processing” at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. For foreign applicants, there are various opportunities for temporary residence in the U.S.

When can I be repaid?
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The timeframe for receiving your investment back varies based on the EB-5 project’s duration, the investment agreement terms, and the project’s overall performance. Most EB-5 offerings outline a projected schedule for project completion and job creation, and investors should note that all projections are subject to change.  Investors should review all documents and consult professionals to understand the expected return timeline, including potential delays.

Repayment is not guaranteed and is governed by each project’s subscription and loan documents. In many offerings, capital becomes eligible for repayment after the loan term or stated exit strategy, but this timing is never guaranteed.

Under current rules, new EB-5 investors must keep their capital invested for at least two years, and the sustainment period may be longer depending on the project.

All EB-5 investments involve risk, including possible loss of capital, and investors should thoroughly review offering documents and consult qualified professionals before proceeding.

Do you support both direct and indirect/regional center investors?
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EB-5 Support primarily offers project selection services for EB-5 investors looking for indirect/RC investment opportunities, which is over 95% of the EB-5 market. However, we can offer consulting services for direct investors looking to open their own business or with a partnered business looking to structure an offering.

Where can I check EB-5 Support’s registration?
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EB-5 Support is headed by the Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA) registered representative, Irina Rostova, who is registered as a broker regulated by the organization. FINRA offers a public service known as BrokerCheck, where the public can see a complete profile of all registered representatives. Likewise, Irina is a licensed immigration attorney with the Florida Bar Association

EB-5 Support can also be found in the IIUSA member directory, the EB-5 Investors verified broker directory, and on the American Immigrant Investor Alliance website.

What are the main legal requirements for an EB-5 Investor?
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EB-5 Investors are required to comply with all U.S. entry requirements, show a lawful source for the EB-5 investment, and indirectly create ten jobs through their investment. Likewise, the full investment must remain in the EB-5 project for the entire loan period. Investors who can fulfill these requirements are good fits for the EB-5 program.

What is a qualified EB-5 Project?
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A qualified EB-5 project is one that meets the eligibility standards established by U.S. immigration law and is properly filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). To be considered compliant, a project must demonstrate:

- Job Creation

Each EB-5 investment must be structured to create at least ten full-time U.S. jobs per investor. For regional center projects, this can include direct, indirect, or induced jobs as supported by economic methodology.

- Comprehensive Documentation

The project must submit a detailed package to USCIS showing that it satisfies EB-5 program requirements. This includes but is not limited to a compliant business plan, economic impact report, capital structure documentation, and project-related agreements.

- Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs)

Projects located in a TEA (rural or high-unemployment area) qualify for the reduced minimum investment amount of $800,000. Standard, non-TEA projects require the standard $1,050,000 investment.

- At Risk Requirement

In order for an EB-5 investment to qualify, the EB-5 investor must place his or her capital at risk for the purpose of generating a return. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires that the capital be subject to potential gain or loss for the duration of the sustainment period.

How long does it take to obtain an EB-5 Green Card?
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Investors applying after 2022. Currently anywhere 1-3 years but temporary status is available to petitioners undergoing this process.

How do I know which project to select?
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Selecting a suitable EB-5 project requires a strategic evaluation of each investor’s unique circumstances. Every client comes with distinct circumstances, immigration needs, financial objectives, family considerations, and risk tolerance.

Common Investor Profiles:

- Families with children nearing the age-out threshold and needing faster adjudication options.

- Internationals already in the U.S. on visas that do not lead to permanent residency, or who face long backlogs, do not meet education or employer-sponsorship requirements, or cannot qualify for achievement-based visa categories.

- Global investors who are seeking a balance between financial security, processing speed, and long-term residency planning.

Why the “Right Project” Varies by Investor:

Each petitioner’s case involves different priorities. Key considerations include:

- Risk tolerance.

- Investment experience and priorities.

- Liquidity needs.

- Immigration timelines.

- Current visa category and status.

- Country of origin and immigration trends.

- Available investment capital.

- Number of family members.

- Whether children are close to aging out.

- Expected processing time and travel plans.

- Long-term residency and financial goals.

Some investors prioritize speed, others prefer a more conservative structure with stronger financial backing, even if it may involve longer timelines.

Essential Factors to Evaluate in Every EB-5 Project:

- Construction timeline and feasibility.

- Capital stack composition: developer equity, EB-5 capital, senior and mezzanine financing.

- Asset type: hospitality, multifamily, healthcare, industrial, etc., and the associated risk profile.

- Job creation methodology and job creation cushion.

- Investment terms: loan maturity, exit strategy, extension rights.

- Developer’s experience and performance on similar asset classes.

- Regional center track record with compliance and successful adjudications.

- Downside scenario planning: such as the waterfall structure and who is repaid first, next, and last.

- Investor protections: review of agreements for rights, remedies, and safeguards in adverse scenarios.

No project can guarantee immigration or financial outcomes. A careful review and understanding of offering documents and risk disclosures is essential.

The Value of Working With a FINRA-Licensed EB-5 Broker-Dealer

Investors do not need to navigate the selection process alone. A licensed representative can:

- Compare EB-5 offerings across the market.

- Explain structural differences and risk drivers.

- Clarify terminology.

- Help align project selection with each investor’s immigration and investment objectives.

How do I get started with my EB-5 Investment?
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To start your EB-5 process, you should first meet with a qualified EB-5 Immigration attorney to determine whether you are a good candidate for the EB-5 visa. Once you have consulted an attorney and are prepared to work on the Source of Funds with your immigration attorney you  may meet with an investment broker to find an appropriate EB-5 investment opportunity.

Adjustment of Status
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This process allows you to apply for lawful permanent resident status (Green Card) while you are in the United States. This means you can obtain a Green Card without needing to return to your home country for visa processing.

Advance Parole
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Advance Parole, also known as a "travel permit," enables you to re-enter the United States without obtaining a visa. A transportation company, such as an airline, can accept an Advance Parole document as proof of your authorization to travel to the U.S. It does not replace your passport, and you must have it before leaving the U.S. in most cases.

Concurrent Filing
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EB-5 petitioners living in the U.S. with lawful status can file their adjustment of status (Form I-485) concurrently with their EB-5 petition (Form I-526E). This concurrent filing allows petitioners to remain in the U.S. while their I-526E petition is pending.

Conditional Lawful Permanent Resident
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A conditional permanent resident receives a Green Card valid for two years. To remove the conditions, you must file a petition within the 90-day period before your conditional Green Card expires. EB-5 investors are admitted as conditional permanent residents for two years. To remove the conditions, investors must file Form I-829 within 90 days before the two-year anniversary of their conditional permanent resident status.

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
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The Immigrant Investor Program, also known as the Regional Center Program, allocates EB-5 visas to participants who invest in commercial enterprises that promote economic growth.

EB-5 Investment Thresholds
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The minimum investment is $800,000 for projects in rural areas, high unemployment areas, and infrastructure projects. The investment requirement is $1,050,000 for projects outside these categories. All investments must be at risk, meaning the return on investment cannot be guaranteed.

EB-5 Reserved - Set-Aside Categories
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Approximately 10,000 EB-5 visas are issued annually to immigrants and their families whose investments create at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. workers. Of these:

  • 20% are reserved for rural areas
  • 10% are reserved for high unemployment areas
  • 2% are reserved for infrastructure projects

Our webinars, led by industry experts, offer valuable insights, while exclusive events connect you with influential figures in the EB-5 community. For those seeking clarity on EB-5 requirements, timelines, and procedures, our comprehensive FAQs section addresses common concerns. Additionally, our detailed EB-5 Glossary breaks down key concepts and terminology, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the process. Explore our resources today and take the next step toward your EB-5 success.