A regional center is a public or private economic entity designated by USCIS to participate in the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.
It promotes economic growth in a specific geographic area by pooling EB-5 investor funds into projects that create U.S. jobs.
What Is a Regional Center under U.S. Immigration?
Under U.S. immigration law, a regional center is an economic unit involved in promoting:
- Economic growth
- Increased productivity
- Job creation
- Increased domestic capital investment
Regional centers must be approved and designated by USCIS before they can operate under the EB-5 program.
They operate within a defined geographic area and are subject to ongoing USCIS compliance and reporting requirements.
Regional Centers and the EB-5 Program
The EB-5 program allows foreign investors to obtain permanent residence by investing in U.S. businesses that create jobs.
There are two main pathways:
- Direct EB-5 investment
- Regional center investment
Regional centers were created to:
- Encourage larger development projects
- Allow pooled investment
- Simplify job creation calculations
Most EB-5 investors use the regional center model because it allows counting indirect job creation.
How to Apply for Regional Center Designation
- Form I-956 – Application for Regional Center Designation
File Form I-956 to request designation as an EB-5 regional center under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Review USCIS filing tips before submitting to reduce the risk of delays or rejection. The form is currently filed by mail, and the required filing fee must be paid unless you qualify for an exemption.
- Form I-956H – Bona Fides of Persons Involved with a Regional Center
Each person involved in owning or administering the regional center must file Form I-956H. A biometrics fee is required. Form I-956H should be submitted together with Form I-956.
Always download and use the most recent version of each form directly from the USCIS website before filing.
How Regional Centers Work
Regional centers typically do the following:
- Collect capital from multiple EB-5 investors
- Invest those funds into qualifying commercial enterprises
- Track and document job creation
- File required compliance reports with USCIS
Unlike direct EB-5 investors, regional center investors are usually not involved in daily business management.
The regional center coordinates project oversight and reporting.
Job Creation Under a Regional Center
A major advantage of regional centers is job counting flexibility.
They can count:
- Direct jobs, which are employees hired by the project
- Indirect jobs, which are jobs created in the supply chain
- Induced jobs, which are jobs created by increased spending in the local economy
Economic modeling is used to calculate indirect and induced jobs. Direct EB-5 investments typically count only direct jobs.
Geographic Scope of a Regional Center
Each regional center operates in a defined geographic area, approved by USCIS.
That area may include:
- One city
- Multiple counties
- An entire state
- Multi-state regions
Projects must generally fall within the center’s approved geographic scope.
Regional Centers and USCIS Oversight
USCIS mandates that Regional centers:
- Maintain USCIS designation
- File annual compliance reports
- Demonstrate continued eligibility
- Comply with EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act requirements
If approved, USCIS publishes approved regional States on its website.
USCIS audits designated regional centers at least once every five years. USCIS has the authority to terminate regional center designation for noncompliance.
Examples of Regional Center Projects
Common EB-5 regional center projects include:
- Hotels
- Mixed-use real estate developments
- Infrastructure projects
- Manufacturing facilities
- Senior living communities
Projects must be structured to meet EB-5 investment and job creation requirements.
Key Takeaways
- A regional center is USCIS-designated
- It operates within a defined geographic area
- It pools EB-5 investor funds
- It can count direct, indirect, and induced jobs
- It is subject to ongoing USCIS oversight
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I consider using a regional center?
You should use a regional center if you want a hands-off EB-5 investment. Regional centers pool funds for large projects and allow investors to count indirect job creation, which can make meeting EB-5 requirements easier.
2. Who is this option for?
This option is for foreign investors seeking a green card through EB-5 without managing a business daily, and for U.S. project developers looking to raise capital through EB-5 funding.
3. What happens if a regional center loses its USCIS designation?
If USCIS terminates a regional center, new EB-5 petitions under that center may not be approved, and pending cases could be affected. Investors may need to move their investment to another approved center or restructure their project.
4. What’s the alternative to investing through a regional center?
The alternative is a direct EB-5 investment, where the investor creates or invests in their own business and must directly create at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs.
