Short answer: EB-5 capital must stay invested and at risk for the sustainment period. If the project repays early, the regional center must redeploy the money into another qualifying commercial activity until the period ends, after which investors can be repaid.
Why redeployment happens
Many projects finish and repay within a few years, but investors’ immigration steps (I-526E, conditional green card, I-829) may not keep pace. The capital must stay invested, so early repayments are redeployed.
Basic requirements
| Item | General requirement |
|---|---|
| Nature | A qualifying commercial activity, with capital at risk |
| Duration | Until the sustainment period ends |
| Decision | By the regional center or fund manager under the offering documents |
| Effect on investors | Repayment comes later; return and risk depend on the new investment |
Questions to ask
- Do the offering documents set out how and where funds can be redeployed?
- Who bears the risk during redeployment, and are there extra fees?
- When can investors expect repayment?
- How have the center’s past redeployments performed?
Our advice
Look beyond the original project to the regional center’s redeployment plan and track record — it often decides when you actually get your money back. Read more: when EB-5 capital comes back.
General information only, not investment or legal advice.