How do I submit an investment project proposal to a regional center?

To improve the chances of your project being approved, you should first conduct adequate due diligence on regional centers that may interest you. Conclude which regional centers have accepted projects similar to yours as many regional centers aim to remain within particular industries. Preparing a comprehensive business plan and prosperous outlook of the business will increase your chances of your project being accepted.

The USCIS maintains a list of designated regional centers. Check www.uscis.gov and search for the list.

There really is no set process. You need to approach the RC that you would like to work with and submit a proposal and negotiate the terms of usage. The RC will have its own vetting process to determine whether they will allow the project and use of their RC.

Being approved as a regional center is a detailed process, and you need experienced professional help.

First, retain the services of an experienced EB-5 attorney who can advise you on how to make your project EB-5 compliant and marketable. At this point, the EB-5 Attorney can then introduce you to the credible Regional Center to be associated with and who may also present to you the investors.

Every regional center has its own review process. Some regional centers are very large and sponsor multiple projects, while others are small and have not even sponsored one project. I recommend that you identify which regional centers are approved for your proposed project''s geographic region and then directly contact them. You might also consider connecting with immigration attorneys who may be able to facilitate introductions.

You should speak with Regional Centers in the geographic area of your proposed business; they may indeed be interested in your project.

Established regional centers are looking for projects that are EB-5 compliant and marketable to foreign investors. Retaining EB-5 counsel (like our law firm) can help your project be both. In addition, firms with extensive experience in the EB-5 market can introduce you to the Regional Centers that are looking for projects like yours. With assistance from a firm, you have a much better chance of associating with a Regional Center.

Your question appears to be a combination of marketing and venture capital issues. In this regard, the presentation of your idea to any EB-5 Regional Center should focus on showing why your idea meets the basic EB-5 requirements and is financially rewarding to both the RC and yourself. Otherwise, the RC is not likely to invest in your business venture because, for all intents and purposes, an RC is set up as a profitable entity for its partners. In preparing your project proposal, make sure the EB-5 RCs you are approaching are interested in your project; this is only possible if you are familiar with the investments an RC typically invests in. In essence, don''t market to an RC that does not fit your needs. For instance, some RCs are only interested in the brick and mortar industry (i.e. the old true and tested businesses), while others invest in both new and old businesses. There are about 425 RCs, so your search for an RC whose investment strategies fits your needs should be multidimensional. Finally, more than an idea is needed. Put forth effort to shop around your plan/idea and be ready to provide details to the RCs on your business plan, products or services to be offered, market analysis describing your competitors, suppliers, target market, potential for generating a minimum of ten (10) jobs, projections for sales, revenues, etc. We can be of help in this regard.

Regional centers already have established projects that fit the properties/businesses that they are working on. You should find a regional center that has properties or business ventures that will fit your project and contact that regional center on whether they are interested in your proposal and what format they would want the proposal in.