October 26, 2026 by Mid Atlantic Regional Center
If you've researched EB-5, you've likely seen the term "Regional Center" used often. It's a specific, defined structure under EB-5 law, and understanding what it is and isn't helps make sense of how most EB-5 capital is invested today.The EB-5 process is not a single application; it's a sequence of filings with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that typically unfolds over several years. Understanding the stages ahead of time helps set realistic expectations about timing and documentation. Here's how the process generally works, at a high level.If you've spent any time researching paths to U.S. permanent residency, you've probably come across the term "EB-5 visa." Unlike most U.S. green card categories, EB-5 is not based on a job offer or family relationship. It's based on capital investment. This guide breaks down what the program actually is, where it came from, and who it's designed for without the jargon.
A Regional Center is an entity approved and designated by USCIS to sponsor investment projects under the EB-5 Regional Center Program. Regional Centers pool capital from multiple EB-5 investors into projects intended to create jobs within a defined geographic area. USCIS maintains and publishes a list of currently authorized Regional Centers.
Congress created the Regional Center Program in 1992 to encourage investment in targeted economic areas by allowing job creation to be counted more broadly than in a direct investment. Instead of only counting jobs directly created by a new business, Regional Center investments can count indirect and induced jobs for example, jobs created in the local supply chain or through increased local spending using USCIS-accepted economic methodologies.
In a direct EB-5 investment, the investor typically takes an active role in managing the business, and only direct, W-2 jobs generally count toward the 10-job requirement. In a Regional Center investment, the investor is usually a passive limited partner or member, and both direct and indirect/induced jobs can be counted, which is one reason Regional Center investments represent the large majority of EB-5 filings.
The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA) significantly increased oversight of Regional Centers. It introduced requirements such as annual statements, fund administrator obligations for certain projects, audits and site visits, and expanded USCIS authority to review and, where necessary, terminate a Regional Center's designation. These changes were designed to increase transparency and investor protection across the program.
Because designations can change, USCIS publishes and periodically updates a list of active, authorized Regional Centers on its website. Confirming a Regional Center's current status directly through USCIS rather than relying solely on marketing materials is a basic and important part of due diligence for any prospective investor.
It's also worth understanding that a Regional Center's designation applies to the entity itself, not automatically to every project it may sponsor over time. Prospective investors are generally expected to review the specific project's own filings and disclosures, in addition to confirming the sponsoring Regional Center's current, active status.
Note: Regional Center designations and program rules are updated by USCIS periodically. Always check the current list and guidance directly on uscis.gov.
It's worth being precise here: USCIS designation means a Regional Center has met the program's organizational and geographic requirements to sponsor EB-5 projects and is subject to ongoing compliance obligations. It is not an endorsement of any specific project's outcome, and it does not guarantee that any individual investor's petition will be approved or that any particular job-creation target will be met. Each investor's I-526E and I-829 petitions are still adjudicated on their own evidence.
Is every EB-5 investment made through a Regional Center?
No. Investors can also invest directly, without a Regional Center, though direct investments typically only count direct jobs and often involve a more hands-on management role for the investor.
How do I find the current list of designated Regional Centers?
USCIS publishes and updates this list on its official website. Because designations can be added, changed, or terminated, checking the live USCIS list is more reliable than relying on outdated third-party sources.
What does 'indirect and induced jobs' actually mean?
Indirect jobs are those created in businesses that supply the project (for example, a construction subcontractor), while induced jobs result from increased local spending tied to the project's economic activity. Both are estimated using USCIS-accepted economic models, distinct from direct, on-site employment.
Does the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act apply to all Regional Centers?
Yes, the RIA's compliance, transparency, and reporting requirements apply broadly across the Regional Center Program and were part of a wider effort to strengthen oversight after the program's 2022 reauthorization.
A Regional Center is a USCIS-designated entity authorized to sponsor pooled EB-5 investment projects within a defined geographic area.
Regional Center investments can count indirect and induced job creation, unlike direct investments, which generally count direct jobs only.
Designation reflects program compliance, not a guarantee of any individual investor outcome, always verify current status directly with USCIS.
Regional Centers are a structural piece of how EB-5 works, but every designation and project is different. If you're researching this path, confirm current details directly with USCIS and consult a licensed immigration attorney about how the structure applies to your circumstances.
Contact us for more details
