EB-5 Investment Projects

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers foreign investors a pathway to permanent residency in the U.S., as well as a number of additional benefits.

One of the most critical decisions for potential investors is selecting the right EB-5 investment project. But with so many options, knowing which one is right for you can be tricky.

By understanding your options, you can make more informed decisions and find the right project that aligns with your needs and goals.

In this guide, we explore EB-5 investment projects. We will look at the ways to invest, the main types of EB-5 projects, as well as other key information.

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Types of EB-5 investment projects

EB-5 investment projects can be in almost any sector or industry as long as they meet USCIS criteria. Below are some of the most common categories of EB-5 projects.

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Real estate developments

Real estate development projects are among the most common types of EB-5 projects, accounting for a large portion of the market.

Real estate can include residential and commercial properties. Some examples of real estate projects include:

  • Housing
  • Shopping centres
  • Hotels
  • Office buildings

For EB-5 investors, real estate allows them to invest their capital in a tangible asset that produces a steady rate of return.

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Hospitality and tourism

The U.S. is one of the most visited countries globally. Data from Statista shows that nearly 51 million people visited the country in 2023, and travel and tourism are expected to generate $198.70 billion by 2024. As a result, hospitality and tourism are lucrative markets.

EB-5 investments in this sector aim to capitalise on tourism trends and generate revenue. Projects that may require EB-5 funding include hotels, resorts, and restaurants. Some of these are large franchises like Hilton and Marriott Hotels.

According to a report, franchising added around 254,000 jobs in 2023. This makes the sector a good option for fulfilling the EB-5 visa program’s job creation requirement.

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Infrastructure projects

The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 defines an infrastructure project as one administered by a governmental entity. This could be federal, state or local authority.

Projects can include:

  • Transportation
  • Energy projects
  • Water and sanitation systems
  • Telecommunications

Of the 10,000 EB-5 Visas available each year, 2% are reserved for those who invest in infrastructure projects

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Manufacturing

Manufacturing ventures support the production of goods and the creation of jobs in the U.S. These projects may include:

  • Factories
  • Production facilities
  • Industrial parks
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Technology and innovation

The U.S. has a third of the $5 trillion global information technology (IT) sector, making it the world’s largest tech market. The tech industry accounts for $1.9 trillion of the U.S. GDP and over 12 million jobs.

Thanks to large hubs such as Silicon Valley, the U.S. has a growing number of tech companies. CompTIA data shows over 557,000 tech companies in the United States.

EB-5 projects focusing on technology and innovation often create new products and services. These projects can include tech startups, research and development initiatives or innovation centres.

Ways to invest in EB-5 projects

In addition to having multiple EB-5 projects to choose from, there are various ways to invest. Investors can either go direct or invest through a regional center.

With both options, the minimum investment amount for the EB-5 is $1,050,000. However, if the project is in a certain area, this amount can be reduced to $800,000.

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Direct investments

EB-5 regional centers are entities designated by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Around 95% of foreign investors choose the regional center route, making them the most popular option.

Regional centers connect investors with developers. They pool funds from multiple investors, which are used to fund large-scale projects. These often include real estate development or local infrastructure projects.

Unlike the direct option, investors are not involved in the day-to-day running of the business. Also, both direct and indirect employment count towards the job creation requirement.

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Regional centers

Knowing how to get an EB-5 Visa can seem straightforward on paper. However, the process often requires legal expertise. Hiring an experienced immigration attorney who specialises in EB-5 Visas is strongly advised

An attorney can help you understand the legal requirements, assist with document preparation and represent you throughout the application process.

If you want to learn more, we have a dedicated guide on how to find an EB-5 attorney.

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Targeted employment areas (TEAs)

A targeted employment area (TEA) is a specific geographic area. For an area to be granted TEA status, it must be either:

  • A high unemployment area – 150% above the national average OR;
  • A rural area

These areas are crucial in the EB-5 program as they help develop the areas most in need. At the same time, TEAs help to reduce the minimum investment amount for investors.

For non-TEA projects, the minimum capital investment amount is $1,050,000. However, for EB-5 projects in a TEA, the price is reduced by nearly 24% to $800,000.

Are EB-5 investment projects risky?

There is no such thing as a risk-free investment. All investments carry a certain level of risk, and EB-5 projects are no different. In fact, the USCIS states that a foreign investor’s capital must be’ at risk’ for an EB-5 project to qualify.

The term ‘at risk’ simply means that capital used to invest is subject to gains and losses. In other words, there are no guarantees, just like with any other type of investment.

Every investment carries a different level of risk. Typically, the higher the potential returns, the higher the level of risk

Speak to one of our experts who can help you identify the best EB-5 projects based on your goals and appetite for risk

How to find the right EB-5 investment project

Investors can choose from several EB-5 project categories across various industries and sectors.

With so many options, proper due diligence is essential. This is to ensure they find the investment that aligns with the levels of risk they are comfortable with, as well as their goals.

For a general overview of the EB-5 Visa, Download our factsheet. Alternatively, speak to one of our specialists, who can provide more details on specific EB-5 investment projects.

Holborn Pass is an international leader in investor visas. We provide an end-to-end service to support you throughout the EB-5 process.

We are part of the wider Holborn Assets Group, a leading, award-winning financial advisory company with over $2 billion in assets under management (AUM).

We have successfully helped hundreds of individuals and families secure golden visas. To find out how we can assist you, book a consultation with one of our advisers.

Frequently asked questions

EB-5 investment projects typically fall into two main categories: direct and regional center investments. With the direct option, capital is invested directly into the business. EB-5 regional centers pool money from multiple investors, which is used to fund large-scale projects.

EB-5 investment projects can be in any sector as long as they meet USCIS criteria. This includes the creation of 10 full-time jobs. Some examples include:

• Real estate development projects

• Infrastructure projects

• Technology

• Manufacturing

The purpose of the EB-5 Visa is to stimulate economic growth in the U.S. EB-5 projects must meet several requirements to qualify. The two main criteria are:

• Investment amount: $1,050,000 or $800,000 in a TEA

• Job creation: Create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs Read our guide on the EB-5 Visa requirements to learn more.

Investors can participate in a wide range of EB-5 real estate projects. Some of these include:

• Residential housing developments

• Commercial properties

• Mixed-use projects

These projects must meet the job creation requirement and satisfy other criteria to qualify

Around 95% of EB-5 investors choose to go through regional centers. They offer several advantages, the main one being it is easier to fulfil the job creation requirement. This is

because regional center projects count direct and indirect employment towards the job creation criteria

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