What does the process of buying an EB-5 regional center involve?

Purchasing or leasing regional centers is allowed under the EB-5 program. The difficulty is finding a regional center (hopefully reputable) that is interested in these transactions.

Buying a regional center would involve as much, if not more, in terms of costs, effort, time, etc. than just applying for and obtaining a new regional center designation.

The process of buying an EB-5 regional center first involves locating one that is for sale. There have been many that have been set up that are effectively dormant and the owner of one of those may be willing to sell. You would need to do your due diligence to make sure that the EB-5 regional center is appropriately organized, recognized and in full compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements. The price would be determined through negotiations. The advantage of purchasing an EB-5 regional center is that you can acquire same faster than the time it takes to set up your own EB-5 regional center. Alternatively, you could also work with an existing active regional center that would help market your project if you only intend to have a single project.

Yes, you can buy a regional center, but before you do so you need to make sure you do due diligence as to prior issues. Also, while USCIS has indicated that mere notification may suffice, I would comply with the provisions of a recently proposed bill that requires more than mere notification.

Unless the program is extended beyond Dec. 9, 2016, this makes no sense.