To verify if an EB-5 Regional Center is USCIS-approved, foreign investors must perform a 4-step check: verify the Regional Center’s active designation on the official USCIS list, confirm Form I-956 approval, check Form I-956F filing for the specific project, and confirm annual integrity fee compliance under the Reform and Integrity Act (RIA).
Evaluating an EB-5 investment requires verifying both financial viability and legal compliance. While a project may promise high returns, failing to verify its USCIS approval status can jeopardize both your $800,000 principal investment and your path to a U.S. Green Card. Sources
Quick Checklist: How to Spot a USCIS-Approved Regional Center
- Official Designation: Search the USCIS Immigrant Investor Regional Center Directory to confirm an active legal status.
- Form I-956 Authorization: Ensure the Regional Center holds an approved Form I-956 under current post-2022 RIA regulations.
- Form I-956F Receipt/Approval: Verify that the specific project has filed Form I-956F with USCIS before capital allocation.
- EB-5 Integrity Fund Compliance: Confirm the entity pays its annual USCIS Integrity Fund fees ($ 10,000- $ 20,000) to avoid immediate termination.
Step-by-Step Verification Guide
Step 1: Search the Official USCIS Regional Center Directory
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) maintains a public database of approved regional centers across all 50 states. Sources
- Locate the Database: Access the official USCIS EB-5 Regional Centers Directory.
- Confirm the Legal Entity: Search by the exact legal entity name. For example, EB5 Coast to Coast operates under Smith Management Services, LLC.
- Check the Status Column: Ensure the status explicitly reads Active. Avoid entities marked as Terminated or Voluntarily Withdrawn.
- Verify Geographic Scope: Ensure the Regional Center’s approved geographic jurisdiction includes the city and state where the physical project site is located.
Step 2: Request Proof of Form I-956 Approval
Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA), all existing regional centers were required to re-petition for USCIS designation using Form I-956 (Application for Regional Center Designation).
Key Rule: Pre-2022 historical designations are no longer sufficient on their own. An entity must hold an active Form I-956 approval or pending designation compliance notice to legally sponsor EB-5 investors today.
During your preliminary due diligence, ask the Regional Center management team to provide a copy of their official USCIS Form I-956 Approval Notice (Form I-797 C).
Step 3: Confirm Form I-956F Filing for Your Specific Project
An approved Regional Center license grants an entity permission to operate, but it does not constitute approval for every individual project under its umbrella.
| Entity vs. Project Distinction | Form Required | What to Verify |
| Regional Center Operator | Form I-956 | Active designation & geographic coverage. |
| Specific Investment Project | Form I-956F | Formal USCIS Receipt Notice or Approval Notice prior to investor filing. |
Before transferring funds or submitting your immigration petition, request the Form I-956F Receipt Notice. Under RIA rules, a Regional Center must file Form I-956F for a specific project before any individual investor can file their Form I-526E petition.
Step 4: Verify Annual Compliance and EB-5 Integrity Fund Payments
To maintain good standing with federal regulators, Regional Centers must comply with strict annual audit guidelines:
- Form I-956G Annual Statement: Filed annually to report financial activity, job creation metrics, and investor capital allocations.
- EB-5 Integrity Fund Fee: Annual payments of $10,000 (for centers with 20 or fewer investors) or $20,000 (for centers with more than 20 investors).
Failure to pay this fee results in immediate termination by USCIS. Request written confirmation or proof of the entity’s latest annual filing fee receipt. Sources
4 Red Flags That Signal an Unsafe Regional Center
- 1. Name Mismatches: The entity soliciting funds differs from the approved Regional Center listed on the USCIS website without a documented licensing agreement.
- 2. Geographic Overreach: The project site falls outside the Regional Center’s approved geographic coverage map.
- 3. Premature Capital Solicitations: Asking investors to transfer $800,000 into escrow before providing a valid Form I-956F receipt notice.
- 4. Guaranteed Returns or Approvals: Claiming “guaranteed Green Cards” or guaranteed investment returns violates USCIS “at-risk” capital requirements and federal securities laws.
Need Help Verifying an EB-5 Regional Center or Project?
Navigating USCIS regulations and conducting thorough due diligence can be complex. At EB5 Coast to Coast, we operate 12+ USCIS-approved Regional Centers covering 49 states, with a 100% project approval record and a primary focus on rural projects. Schedule a consultation with our team and discover how our active rural projects can accelerate your path to a U.S. Green Card through EB-5.
Disclaimer: This update is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or investment advice. Visa availability is subject to change, and individual circumstances may vary. Prospective investors should consult with qualified immigration counsel and review all offering documents before making any investment decision.
