Direct Investment vs. Regional Centre EB5

There are 2 approaches to the EB5 immigration program. One is the direct investment route, and the other is the Regional Centre program. Both routes require the same process, i.e. filing I-526 (initial petition for applying under EB5), I-485 (for adjustment of status, if required), subsequently I-829 (for removal of conditions), and then finally applying for citizenship. However, the road to the journey by itself is dramatically different in each of the two.

Whether to prefer the direct investment route or the RC structure is a question that has been in vogue for a long time. Ironically, the answer to it is quite straightforward, and doesn’t require any debate in the first place. Direct investment route sounds “direct”, but in my opinion, is the most complex and the least favourable. This subject doesn’t command an argument in the first place; however, for people who have relentlessly approached us to clarify on this subject, we are publishing this article for academic interest.

Comparison between EB5 Direct vs. Regional Centre Investment

Before we go to the disadvantages of direct program, and in fairness, I want to highlight its advantages first. The one and only advantage a direct investment has over regional centre is that you essentially own the project and not just a limited interest for the purposes of getting an American passport (as some of my Gujarati friends would often say, “Aapdu ee Aapdu”). That is indeed a great advantage; however, it would be for you to assess whether the stated advantage sounds attractive to you after going through the cons listed below. We don’t discourage people on either side, it is for you to personally decide and take a call.