MORE ON REGIONAL CENTER INVESTMENTS

The 10-employee requirement deters many immigrant investors from creating their own business. To resolve this, in 1993, an option was created whereby immigrants may invest $500,000 or more in USCIS-designated "Regional Centers" in a high unemployment or rural areas.

In this program, a promoter, makes a proposal to the USCIS. If the USCIS finds it will benefit a regional economy and shows potential for providing significant employment, the project will be designated a Regional Center. With USCIS approval, the promoter forms a limited partnership or corporation. Investors may apply for green cards upon making the investment.

Investors in a Regional Center do not have to have day-to-day management responsibility or prove the business employs 10 people directly. Instead, they may rely on industry job multiplier statistics. Approval of a Regional Center means that the USCIS is satisfied with the job creation potential. We can provide you with information about specific Regional Center Investments for you to perform due diligence analysis.

Examples of Regional Center Investments include:

• A real estate limited partnership program offers an investment in industrial properties in a specified major city. This program, which was granted USCIS designation as a Regional Center in 1996, generally involves purchasing low-yielding warehouse and other properties with invested funds or converting them into higher-value mixed used properties, including office space, retail shops and storage space. Investors participate as limited partners of a limited partnership, and may earn regular monthly income from tenant rentals, as well as a share of future appreciation from the project when sold. Investment periods vary, but cannot end before receipt of the permanent Green Card by the investor.

• A limited partnership program that makes low interest loans to businesses in a specified major city. Business investment and development in this program, a USCIS Regional Center designee since 2003, targets industry sectors that demonstrate strong indications of expansion, growing employment needs, and returns on investments. The Regional Center directs its efforts at financing projects and developing enterprises within targeted sectors, including hospitality and tourism, trade, technology, higher education, and transportation. The investment period of this program is 5 years.

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