The classic EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program scenario involves a U.S. company seeking a loan from a pooled EB-5 investment as part of its capital stack. However, a new trend in the EB-5 space is the growing number of international developers using EB-5 funds to finance...
In 1990, Congress created the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program in order to stimulate the U.S. economy. In 1993, Congress created the EB-5 pilot program to increase interest in the program by creating the option of Regional Centers. The number of visas granted has significantly increased...
Developers have increasingly looked to the EB-5 program as a less expensive, easier to obtain source of capital over traditional financing. However, lengthy I-526 processing times present a challenge to developers with shovel-ready projects. In many EB-5 deals, investors’ funds are placed in escrow until...
The EB-5 program was designed to reward foreign investors who invest $1 million into a new commercial enterprise that creates ten full-time jobs as a result of their investment. However, most EB-5 petitioners lawfully invest $500,000 for the same benefit. This lower investment threshold is...
By Alexandra Clough - Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Lauren Cohen is founder of e-Council Inc., a Boca Raton-based firm that helps businesses obtain financing through the federal EB-5 visa program. Through the program, foreign nationals that invest in U.S. businesses and create jobs can receive...
There are three basic components that must be proven in a successful EB-5 investor petition: (1) investment of the requisite amount of capital[1]; (2) in a new commercial enterprise; which (3) results in the creation of at least 10 new, full-time jobs.[2] USCIS is very...
With all the recent controversy surrounding fraudulent uses of EB-5 funds, it is easy to forget the many benefits of the program, not only economic—in driving the expansion of American businesses and job creation—but environmental, as well. In fact, Eb-5 funds have fueled numerous eco-friendly...
e-Council Inc. is thrilled to announce the launch of our new animated explainer video, “The EB-5 Process Explained.” This awesome resource is conveniently located on our home page. Our goal in creating this video is to guide you through the complex EB-5 maze in an entertaining...
In Part 1 of this three-part series, we reviewed many of the key questions that investors should ask concerning the legal, economic, and financial aspects of EB-5 projects. In Part 2, we covered what business owners and developers need to assess before committing resources to...
On January 28, 2015, Congressmen Jared Polis (D-CO) and Mark Amodei (R-NV2) introduced a bi-partisan bill into the House of Representatives. The bill proposes to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, scheduled to expire on September 30th of...