EB-5 Regional Centre vs Direct: Jobs, Structure and Risk
Global Immigrate consultants · Published
Written by Global Immigrate consultants · Reviewed by Oscar Yip, Founder & Managing Director
Summary
EB-5 can go through a regional centre or direct investment. Regional centres may count indirect jobs and offer more projects; direct investment needs direct job creation and more involvement. Structure, risk and who each suits.
Short answer:Regional centre projects may use indirect jobs and offer more choice, with mostly passive investors; direct investment generally needs ten direct full-time jobs and more operational involvement. Investment thresholds are the same (TEA from USD 800,000).
Comparison
Regional centre
Direct
Jobs
Indirect jobs may count
Generally direct jobs
Involvement
Mostly passive
More operational role
Project choice
Broader
Must find or build a business
Amount
Same thresholds
Same thresholds
How to choose
Prefer passive investment and ready projects: regional centre
Already have a US business or want high involvement: assess direct
Both require lawful source of funds and capital at risk.
FAQ
Which do most people use?
Most applicants use regional centre projects.
Do amounts differ?
No — same thresholds; TEA from USD 800,000.
Must direct investors run the business?
They must meet direct-job and involvement rules — depends on structure.
