March 12th, 2010 |
 Should I take a tour of EB5 Regional Centers? If you have done any research into regional centers you have probably seen that a number are offering to provide a tour of their facilities or projects. These may be group tours with several other prospective EB-5 clients, or they may be done individually at your convenience. Sometimes these tours are very short and cover all the essentials in one shot, and sometimes they take place over days and include a combination of facilities tours and recreation (which is often the case with some of the resort-type developments or projects). A lot of potential Clients wonder whether or not to take the center up on their offer to tour the facility, and whether there is any real benefit in them doing so.
Whether you do or not is a personal decision, but even if you do attend the company-sponsored event, a tour will still not provide enough factual basis for deciding in which EB-5 regional center you should trust with your money. Let’s qualify that.
First of all you have to understand that the tour is provided by the regional center. Just as on their website or brochure, they may highlight the best about their project, and be selective with where you are taken, what information you are given, and what you are shown. That does not make it false, but it could potentially be missing important points.
Additionally there are a number of concerns and factors that limit the value of regional center tours for potential immigrants and their families. First, many say that they do not know what to look for or what questions to ask while they are on the tour; this significantly limits the information-gathering value of the trip. Second, many immigrants say that generally they do not have the time to visit more than one or two of the available centers (and at this point there are around 80). In order to make an informed decision you really need to have all the information on a number of regional centers.
Regional center visits certainly do have their value but they are not the mechanism that you should rely on to choose the right one for you. A visit to a regional center is probably best done later in the process after you have narrowed down your search to just your top contenders; this gives you a more manageable list and hopefully some experience working with an advisor on regional centers choice, one who can help you to know what to ask and what to look for, and give you the tools to maximize your visit. The most experienced regional center advisers have made these visits and tours themselves and gone much deeper in their regional center research than you will be presented anyway thus they can provide you with added value to any regional center visit you may undertake.
|
| |
Tags: eb-5, experianced regional center advisors, immigrants, regional center, tours, visits
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
March 11th, 2010 |
 As part of our ongoing research we recently identified significant potential problems with a particular EB5 program, this reinforces one of our ongoing concerns - that some families focus only on the legal implications of the visa and seek minimal advice or ask the wrong questions on the Regional Center program implications. All too often clients start by asking which particular program gives the highest return – this is not only the WRONG QUESTION TO ASK in relation to visa considerations, it can also be extremely dangerous.
With so many regional centers offering the EB5 pilot program it is inevitable issues would arise sooner or later, particularly with some immigrants from counties where English is not their first language. Frequently these families are reliant on local sales agents representing one or two programs and it is possible that a significant number of them do not realize the potential weaknesses of the program they may have entered.
A center that has, according to a recent report, run into problems, sold extensively in Asia. Legal advice focused mainly (as it should) on obtaining the visa but, the majority of clients failed to obtain separate independent advice of any other options and the financial implications of the center in question.
The problem now is not only do they stand to lose their $500,000 by making an inappropriate decision on their program of choice but also their right to stay in the USA if the project fails and the jobs are not created.
As part of our investigations we monitor programs closely to identify issues, this in itself can be a full time occupation – being aware of what is happening on the ground is very important and nearly impossible to do if you are several thousand miles away, possibly relying on a local sales agent or an attorney focused specifically on just the legal emigration question as opposed to the other important repercussions.
The potential problems with this project, as well as the earlier cases of alleged fraud by a visa consultant which is presently still being investigated by the Secret Service, emphasize the importance of seeking independent advice before selecting a regional center – there are some excellent programs available and the EB5 visa is for many the fastest and only option for permanent residency, but obtaining impartial advice is critical.
If you are interested in finding out more about the EB-5 Visa program visit Green Card via the Red Carpet.
|
| |
Tags: Asia, eb5, financial implications, fraud, Green Card via the Red Carpet, jobs are not created, pilot program, regional center, USA, visa, visa consultant
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
March 8th, 2010 |
 Should you compare EB5 investor visa projects with the help of a lawyer? The situation is understandable; you are looking into the various regional center options for your choice of EB-5 program and are spending days, weeks maybe months (it may seem like a lifetime) searching the internet in an attempt to find information on the relative advantages, or just as importantly disadvantages, of the ever growing number of regional centers.
A number of the most experienced immigration lawyers do not provide guidance on choice of regional centers. Instead they focus on the legal aspects of the EB-5 visa. Indeed there have been a number of seminars where leading EB-5 immigration attorney’s have stressed that Immigration Lawyers should not be providing advice on your choice of regional center – their focus should be on the actual legal immigration process.
So you continue to search for useful information; such as how many successful applicants have each center processed, however, how helpful is that statistic? For example, if a program has a high number of non-English speaking applicants what are the implications that are not readily apparent from the bare statistics?
When a web site quotes comparative statistics how up to date and accurate are those statistics and indeed how meaningful? The US economy is still undergoing massive changes and regional center programs that were popular a couple of years ago, at a time of significantly higher returns, may require other considerations in the light of a more conservative attitude.
Another factor that is not readily apparent from the web is how are programs actually performing once fully subscribed? Have buildings been constructed, jobs been created, what issues have come to the surface and have investors had their monies returned?
If you are looking into regional center options for your choice of EB5 regional center independent, impartial information can be found on Which EB-5, contact Andrew Bartlett or Stephen Parnell to find out what they discovered on their visits to these regional center programs.
Andrew Bartlett and Stephen Parnell are authors of Green Card via the Red Carpet available on Amazon
|
| |
Tags: amazon, America, andrew bartlett, eb-5, Green Card via the Red Carpet, immigration attorney, immigration lawyers, regional center, stephen parnell, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
March 5th, 2010 |
 This is an area that can be overlooked when looking into the various EB-5 investor visa regional center program options. Many ask what it means.
In summary, regional center programs vary considerably both in size and popularity. Some Centers have programs only requiring a few investors, some, such as a proposed car plant, will require hundreds even thousands of investors.
Some centers have an established track record and it is possible to determine how long it is likely to take for the program to be fully subscribed; with others there is very little evidence to go on.
However, the questions that need to be asked are:
• What happens if a program does not fully subscribe, can it then go ahead?
• If not, what happens to job creation?
• Will you ever get your money back?
These are clearly very important issues particularly in the current economic climate and ones that seem all too often to be receiving less than adequate attention.
Ask us what this means to the safety of your regional center choice. Contact the experts at Which EB5 for information on regional centers.
|
| |
Tags: application, eb-5, eb5, investor visa, job creation, money back, regional center, track record, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
March 1st, 2010 |
 It is interesting to look beyond the headlines used to promote regional center programs.
Here are some example headlines we found and the reasons you need to explore deeper to expose ALL the details before you choose a regional center for your EB-5 visa.
1. “The only Designated Regional Center in the U.S. controlled and supervised by State Government.”
The Regional Center investments that operate under the banner of a state can sometimes confuse prospective investors in terms of the implications of this status. For example, has the “State Government” any responsibility for repayment of the investment? Some investors assume such designation may offer a safety net. Another question might be: What role does the state government play in the exit strategy regarding the then value of the investment?
Some regional centers, at different times, have made this claim. One program that operated under a State banner is reportedly the subject of litigation. This could raise raises questions as to how far the “state” supervised the program.
2. “A 100% success record for EB-5 Visa approval and faster approval times.”
Many centers have a 100% successful track record, at least at I-526 stage. As regards faster approval times; centers generally get approvals within the USCIS average time lines however, for specific reasons relating to “Requests for Further Evidence” RFEs, and the nature of some programs, some centers have had longer approval times.
3. “In 2009, a total of 4,218 wealthy investors from outside the U.S. successfully applied for and received an EB-5 visa. But many are left asking what has accounted for the recent interest the program has been receiving”?
Firstly a few points regarding these figures which may seem a little pedantic but are important for reasons that can be explained.
The figure quoted includes the spouse and children of the investors; it does not mean there were actually 4218 individual investments in regional centers. - Many investors have a spouse and at least one child so the number of actual investors is nearer a third of the total number of visas. Secondly, the figure for 2009 contains a substantial number who invested in 2008; delays in processing carried these over into 2009.
The main change to be aware of in the figures for 2009 is actually the nationality of investors, with a greater proportion of Chinese investors in particular. China has seen a significant sales focus by a number of regional centers and their agents based in China. This has meant certain programs have mainly Chinese investors whose particular motivation and awareness may have implications.
4. “The regional center returned my investment in three years.”
Three years is generally unrealistic given current review times. That is unless the client is selling out at the moment their I-829 petition is approved. This could be extremely dangerous
Andrew Bartlett and Stephen Parnell are authors of Green Card via the Red Carpet. You can read excerpts of the book at our book website and/or contact the authors via Which EB5.
|
| |
Tags: andrew bartlett, china, Chinese investors, eb-5, exit strategy, Green Card via the Red Carpet, I-526, I-829, investors, litigation, regional center, request for further evidence, RFE, state government, stephen parnell, uscis, value of the investment, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
February 26th, 2010 |
 Consider the Pros & Cons of your EB-5 Visa Program Choice For those deciding which EB-5 regional center program to invest in, life was, in some ways, a lot easier a couple of years ago when there were only a few centers to choose from. Now with more than 75 regional centers it seems a lot more complex.
However, a number of these centers are not yet offering a program, some have no measurable statistics to analyze and others have not built up a critical number of applicants; does that make it easier or tougher?
Hardly a day goes by when we do not see a news headline in a local newspaper or magazine in the USA, flagging up an issue that will be of interest if you are considering a particular EB-5 program. However, although the number of centers would seem to make the choice more complex there is also more information available. In the early days of the program there was very little to go on. Now that some centers have been operating long enough it is possible to obtain details on which programs have returned the initial investment, where there have been I-829 (removal of conditions) refusals and why. Additionally, the USCIS have clarified some important points.
All in all, now there is at least more concrete information to base your decision on. For more questions and THE ALL IMPORTANT ANSWERS contact Which EB5
|
| |
Tags: eb-5, eb5, I-829, investment visa, regional center, USA, uscis
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
February 22nd, 2010 |
 Why settle for half the story? It is interesting how potential immigrants from various countries have different priorities when looking at the regional center program options. In working with clients from around the world it has surprised us how this can affect the regional center program that different nationalities may opt for. We remain concerned that not all potential immigrants are always given in-depth explanations concerning the range of options. This can have a major potential impact:-
For example: Some programs may seem an excellent option in terms of successfully completing the initial I-526 petition stage and the two year conditional green card approval. HOWEVER, this is only half the story. It is also necessary to have the conditions removed (I-829 petition) plus most investors are hoping for the return of their investment after a finite number of years. The implications of this require detailed explanation on the implications of past performance.
Andrew Bartlett and Stephen Parnell are authors of the recently released book on the EB-5 – Green Card via the Red Carpet
|
| |
Tags: eb-5, Green Card via the Red Carpet, I-526, I-829, investor green card, regional center
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
February 20th, 2010 |
 How to Retire in the U.S.A. National newspapers and magazines have been publicizing the ways that the EB-5 visa program can provide the opportunity for many people’s lifelong dream to retire in the U.S.
Under this immigration program foreign nationals can make an investment of $500,000 in an approved American Regional Center program to obtain an immigrant visa and be eligible for a U.S. green Card.
Andrew Bartlett, Joint Managing partner of the leading specialist EB5 relocation advocacy company, Which EB5, advised Brian and Jane Thompson, a couple from Essex, England, on the EB-5 visa program. The Daily Mail reported that they targeted Florida as their ideal retirement spot, noting its low real estate costs.
We have kept in contact with the Thompsons and will update you on their lifestyle in Sarasota.
The State Department reports that the number of approved EB-5 visas has nearly tripled between fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
Andrew Bartlett and Stephen Parnell are authors of Green Card via the Red Carpet
|
| |
Tags: andrew bartlett, eb-5, Immigration, regional center, retirement, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
February 19th, 2010 |
 Looking for an EB5 investor visa? Ask the right questions Questions that seem to come up frequently regarding the EB-5 visa include:
• What are the track records of the various EB-5 regional centre programs?
• Which have the quickest processing times?
• Which have returned investors funds on program completion?
• What are key dangers to be aware of?
• Where are there hidden costs?
• Where have problems occurred?
• What has gone wrong?
• What are the implications of programs that are slow filling?
• What is the feedback from previous clients regarding their experiences?
• What information was found on visiting centers that does not appear elsewhere?
• Which centers have had a good track record?
• What are the implications of the program ending?
• What is the likely impact of the present economic circumstances on different programs?
For more questions and THE ALL IMPORTANT ANSWERS contact Andrew Bartlett or Stephen Parnell, the authors of Green Card via the Red Carpet.
|
| |
Tags: eb-5, investor visa, processing time, regional center
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
February 18th, 2010 |
 Beware of what you read about the EB5 investment visa As regular readers of this blog will know we constantly warn about instances of misleading information we discover that involve the EB-5 investor visa.
Unfortunately this week we have discovered an increasing amount of incorrect and misleading information that could spell problem for those looking for accurate information as part of their investigation into the track record of regional centers offering investor green cards.
The question posed by an unsuspecting enquirer on an immigration blog is straightforward enough:-
“I am in the process of selecting a regional center where my main objective would be to make sure that the job creation requirements will be met after two years to get the conditions removed (I-829 petition) from my green card and to have some assurance that the capital will be recoverable after five or even a few more years. ROI would be less relevant. So far I have been looking at the following regional centers […..] which look promising: Any comments would be appreciated.”
And here the problems start; with a series of supposedly helpful but potentially misleading and dangerous suggestions offered by various responders, a number not using their real names but answering under aliases.
One responder mentions a different regional center that the questioner has not suggested – one of the programs at this center is currently the subject of litigation.
There is no in depth analysis regarding the very important question asked regarding the far reaching implications of job creation.
The questioner makes the comment it is helpful to get advice from people with real experience; unfortunately the type of experience from those that have answered is less than clear!
Andrew Bartlett and Stephen Parnell are authors of Green Card via the Red Carpet available at Amazon
|
| |
Tags: amazon, dangerous information, eb-5, experiance, green card, Green Card via the Red Carpet, I-829, Immigration, investor visa, regional center, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
|
