Entrepreneurs who meet certain stringent requirements may qualify for an EB-5 investor visa. Requirements include making a minimum investment and providing a credible business plan to support your petition. Included in your business plan may be steps toward creating jobs within a “regional center.”

One requirement of an EB-5 investor visa is that the investment creates at least 10 new American jobs. Generally speaking, these must be new full-time jobs for U.S. residents. Although many investors fulfill this requirement by ensuring their investment creates at least 10 full-time jobs within the country, some choose to take one of the alternative routes provided by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS), which is to invest in a regional center.

A “regional center” is an economic entity involved with promoting economic growth, improving productivity, creating jobs, and increasing investment of domestic capital in the area. In order to invest in a regional center, a foreign entrepreneur must first find a designated regional center. These areas exist throughout the United States, and an experienced attorney can help you find one that suits your business goals. The second option is to create a new regional center, which involves finding a suitable location to invest in and demonstrating to USCIS that the area should be designated a regional center. A knowledgeable attorney can help you complete either of these tasks.

At the Immigration Law Office of Los Angeles, P.C. our experienced southern California immigration attorneys can help you obtain the entrepreneurial visa you need to stay in the United States and help your business thrive. Contact us today to learn more.