EB-5 Asian Market Update

If you intend to raise capital for a large commercial real state project through marketing EB-5 program, you may think about focusing your resources and efforts in Asian market which has received the majority of EB-5 visas issued by the USCIS last few years. For more information, contact us today.

China: As the world largest "immigrant exporter", investors in China have a strong interest in EB-5 program as it is the easiest and quickies way to emigrate to the US. However, due to the Chinese government's recent restrictions on over-heated real estate industry and banks tight control over 2nd mortgage lending, it will have an negative impact on US bound immigration.  It is going to be more difficult to recruit Chinese investors. A good plan must be in place prior to marketing projects in China.  However, it is expected China continues to be the largest EB-5 market this year and 2011.

Korea:  Due to economic downturn in last two years, Korean's interests and ability in investing in EB-5 have been declining. There are five regional centers actively promoting projects in Korea. Even emigration trade show hosts and Korean immigration attorneys feel harder to work on EB-5 program in Korea.

Vietnam:  the country is new to EB-5; at this point agent is promoting Greentech Auto (MS) project. The currency exchange is tightly controlled by the Central Government.  Vietnam has a great potential.

Malaysia and Indonesia:  its large ethnic Chinese population has showed interest in EB-5 program, however, it is hard to find good information sources locally.  

India, Pakistan, Iran:  more and more people are interested in EB-5. Iran has a growing interest and number of successful cases in EB-5. India and Pakistan brokers are now actively looking for good projects to  represent.

Taiwan and Hong Kong:  the markets are very small, people have less interest in the EB-5 program.

The Middle East: the oil rich region has been a focus for some regional centers. However, only a small numbers of EB-5 investors are from the region. They have more options and investment channels to choose.

Report from China: South Dakota Regional Center Announces Wind Power Plant Project in China

South Dakota Regional Center announced this year's 3rd project in China, another wind power project.  The broker's scheduled seminars will be taking place in Beijing, Qingtao, Shenzhen in November. For more information, contact us today.

11-13 Beijing 2:30 pm
11-14 Shenzhen 2:30 pm
11-20 Qingdao 2:30 pm

Artisan Business Group Launches EB-5 Social Media Campaign in China

After two months testing in China, Artisan Business Group announced its EB-5 social media campaign in China by launching Chinese version twitter and blog.  Social media marketing has become a very popular tool in China that has the largest internet population in the world. Artisan Business Group has contracted Shanghai based leading EB-5 social media marketer Come2USA.com to fully manage its China outlets. For more information about marketing your EB-5 in China, contact us today.

Feds kill Victorville's cash-for-Green-card program

(Source: Daily Press) VICTORVILLE • The federal government has terminated Victorville’s foreign investor program, ending the city’s hopes to raise tens of millions of dollars for projects at Southern California Logistics Airport.
It’s the first time U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has ever terminated an EB-5 program, agency spokeswoman Mariana Gitmore said by phone Tuesday. She said Victorville hadn’t been able to demonstrate that it meets the criteria to raise funds through the federal program, despite repeated requests for more information.
USCIS approved Victorville’s application as an EB-5 Regional Center in June 2009, allowing the city to solicit $500,000 loans from foreign citizens so long as that money helps create 10 local jobs. In exchange, the foreign lenders are put on the fast track to getting U.S. visas.
USCIS sent the city a rare notice of intent to terminate its EB-5 program in May, raising questions about whether Victorville had misrepresented itself in marketing the program and if projects such as the stalled Victorville 2 power plant are still viable.
The Daily Press has regularly been asking for updates on the status of the program. Most recently, the Daily Press sent an e-mail Monday morning asking whether Victorville had heard back from USCIS. City spokeswoman Yvonne Hester deferred to City Attorney Andre de Bortnowsky, who still hadn’t responded to requests for comment as of Tuesday afternoon.
USCIS sent its final termination notice Oct. 20.
The website www.vveb5.com remained active Tuesday afternoon, still touting Victorville’s EB-5 program even though USCIS ordered any advertisement to stop with its first notice back in May.

Chicago EB-5 Seminar A Great Success

The 2nd EB-5 Regional Centers Promotion and Investors Procurement Seminar attracted over 40 regional center executives, real estate developers, immigration attorneys to Chicago from Utah, Texas, Nebraska, Florida, New York, Illinois, California, Georgia on October 25, 2010. The event was hosted and presented by Mr. Brian Su, Artisan Business Group, Inc., and sponsored by Wailian Overseas Consulting Group headquartered in Shanghai.  John Jiang, managing director of Henry Global USA, Mr. Lu Sun, Vice President of MasLink Group of Beijing spoke to the audience. Peter Joseph of IIUSA introduced the current EB-5 affairs; Northern California Regional Center principal shared his experience of working with Chinese migration agencies. Ms. Jade Liu, VP of Goral Investment Co., from Beijing attended and explored investment opportunities with the audience.  For more information about our upcoming EB-5 seminars in New York, Las Vegas, Atlanta, contact us today.

EB-5 Regional Centers Promotion and Investors Procurement Seminar is Coming to Las Vegas

Artisan Business Group, Inc., is planning a major EB-5 Investors Procurement Seminar on Feb 20, 2010, in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada.  If you are looking into EB-5 regional center business or ready to market your EB-5 project in Asia and China, the event is designed for you. More details will be released soon, please bookmark this blog for future announcement.

Aritsan Business Brian Su Leads Chinese Executives to Vermont EB-5 Projects

Artisan Business Group, Inc. CEO Brian Su, Mr. John Jiang, Managing Director of Henry Global Group USA and Mr. Lu Sun, Vice President of MasLink Group, licensed migration service consulting firms headquartered in Beijing, are scheduled to visit EB-5 projects in the state of Vermont November 11-13, 2010. Mr. Su, Mr. Jiang and Mr. Sun will be meeting with real estate developers, manufacturers and officials during the visit. Artisan Business Group, Inc., is a leading EB-5 investment advisory firm in the US and has extensive working relationship with Chinese migration industry and US EB-5 regional centers throughout the country. Mr. Brian Su has been advising a number of investment projects in Vermont.  For more information about the visit, contact us today.

In Asia, Douglas Reports Strong Interest In Vermont Projects

(Source:  WPTZ.com By Stewart Ledbetter) MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Gov. Jim Douglas said the 20-person Vermont trade mission he is now leading across Asia is finding strong interest from foreign investors interested in financing development projects back home in the months ahead.Douglas and Jay Peak President Bill Stenger appeared via computer video hookup from a hotel ballroom in Hong Kong Friday morning.They told Vermont reporters said they have found a lot of Asian investors lured by the EB-5 program. The U.S. government program rewards foreign investors who finance private development and create new jobs -- with permanent green cards allowing residency in the U.S."We have to be aggressive in going where the potential is, and right now there is tremendous potential in this part of the world," Douglas said.Stenger said Jay Peak Resort had received $120 million in equity financing for its new base area expansion. He is bullish on prospects other Vermont companies would see similar interest."We'll come back (to Vermont) identifying 200-300 investors who over time, over 18-24 months, half of them will probably find investments they want to be a part of in our state. And that'll correspond to hundreds and hundreds more jobs."Douglas dismissed criticism from Sen. Peter Shumlin, the Democratic candidate for governor, that these trade trips were "junkets" that have failed to stop the job exports to Asia in recent years."Sen. Shumlin can say what he wants, and it may be entertaining rhetoric on the campaign trail, but the fact is this is an interconnected global marketplace."On Wednesday, Shumlin chided the record of Douglas and Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, who Shumlin faces in the Nov. 2 gubernatorial election."While we've been flying off to Asia, we've been neglecting the 79,000 small businesses in Vermont who want to grow right here," Shumlin said, promising a "change in emphasis" if elected governor.But Douglas said the EB-5 program had helped Vermont do relatively well in the recession compared to other states. "I really don't think Sen. Shumlin knows what it takes to create jobs, and frankly he's tried to thwart my efforts for some time."Douglas noted Vermont's unemployment rate fell again last month to 5.8 percent, making it the fifth lowest in the nation.The governor returns to Vermont late Tuesday night.

Special Speakers and Guests Share Their Knowledge and Experiences at Chicago EB-5 Seminar October 25, 2010

We are glad to announce that we are having great speakers and VIP guests at our upcoming Chicago EB-5 Regional Centers and Investors Procurement Seminar Oct. 25, 2010.

Guest Speakers:

Mr. Lu Sun, Vice President, MasLink Group. MasLink Group is a licensed and bonded migration consulting firm headquartered in Beijing, China. The firm hosted and sponsored the 2009 US Immigration and Investment Forum where over 30 US EB-5 regional centers and law firms showcased their projects and services.  Mr. Sun is a former executive with SmithBarney and highly expreienced in EB-5 project selection and marketing.  He is a Beijing native and resident of Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Peter Joseph, the Interim Executive Director, the Association to Invest In the USA (IIUSA).  IIUSA is dedicated to being a unified voice for making the EB-5 Regional Center program permanent.  IIUSA retains representation in Washington, DC to advocate the Association's positions to Congress, USCIS and other pertinent federal agencies.  Furthermore, IIUSA works to establish the EB-5 regional Center program as a niche industry by developing, promoting and maintaining best practices and industry standards. Mr. Joseph has been involved in various aspects of the EB-5 Regional Center program, starting in 2007, when he worked for a leading EB-5 law firm as a Legal researcher.  Mr. Joseph has worked for IIUSA since February, 2008 and was named Interim Executive Director in February, 2010.  Under his leadership, IIUSA has continued to expand its membership base and influence, building momentum for Congress to make the EB-5 program permanent giving the program the certainty to fulfill its job creation potential.  Mr. Joseph will be speaking about the IIUSA and the EB-5 regional Center program.

Special Guests :
Mr. John Jiang, Managing Director, Henry Global USA. Henry Global is one of the largest licensed migration companies in China, with over 50 offices around China, Canada, and the U.S. The company specializes in marketing EB-5 immigrant investment projects to Chinese investors. Mr. Jiang is responsible for selecting qualified EB-5 investment projects for the comany.

Ms. Jade Liu, Vice President, Goral Investment Co. Ltd. Goral is a leading investment consulting firm based in Beijing. The firm specializes in assisting Chinese business investors in investing in China and overseas.

Special Thanks to the event sponsor Wailian Overseas Consulting Group in Shanghai.  Wailian Group is the largest EB-5 migration agency in Eastern China, with 20 offices and affiliated partners around China and North America.  For more information about the seminar, log on http://eb5.eventbrite.com

Report from China: Governor Douglas Promotes EB-5 Program in Shanghai

Vermont Governor Jim Douglas is leading a delegation to promote the state's EB-5 projects in Shanghai on Oct 19, 2010. The trade mission is headed to Hong Kong before visiting Vietnam. For more information about promoting EB-5 regional centers in Asia, contact us today.

Mr. Nathan Ma of Come2USA meet with Governor Douglas

Nathan Ma and Hong Ge of Come2USA meet with EB5 developer Doug Littlefield

Northern California Regional Center goes to China

(Source: NCRC, by Stephen Weststeyn)

Melody Chen of Artisan, CEO Dr. Henry Zou of Henry Global and NCRC Executives

We at Northern California Regional Center traveled to China last month to seek out investment for our current EB-5 project, the Weststeyn Dairy Farms project. As there are many investors coming to the U.S. from China, we decided to travel there, and spend some time there informing people of our current project. We traveled to many cities in China, including Beijing and Shanghai, and was quite the experience.   The timing of our trip could not have been better noting the changes in the Canadian immigration program that have made the U.S. EB-5 program a much more desirable to foreign immigrants. Traditionally the Canadian immigration program has outperformed the United States EB-5 immigration program quite substantially, and there have been far more Chinese emigrants that have gone to Canada than the United States through these immigration investment programs. However Canada has changed their immigration by investment program, and Chinese emigrants see the United States as a much better deal. It really is a hard choice for foreign investors, live on the cold, snowy slopes in Canada, or by the warm, sunny California beaches. This recent change in the Canadian immigration program provided our regional center with the most optimal timing for our trip to China. Also when we were in China, we learned that the California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was going to be in Shanghai talking about the United States EB-5 program. The star power of Arnold made for a very responsive enthusiasm for California EB-5 projects.The Chinese economy is growing very rapidly, and you could feel that there was a wealth of opportunity to be had in China. Every city that we visited confirmed this feeling. One thing we noted when visiting is that there is a need for high quality protein food sources. The traditional Chinese meal is very low in protein. The Chinese demand for high quality protein sources will be a huge driver of growth in the global marketplace. With over 1.5 billion people to feed, they will need to source food products from all over the world in order to feed their populace. In the dairy industry, the Chinese have been one of the largest driving forces of global demand for dairy products. Rabobank, a large international agriculture bank, has recently cited milk demand growth to quickly outpace supply over the next decade leaving tremendous opportunity for the dairy industry in the United States. There is a great potential in the United States, especially California, to help China quench its thirst for dairy products. California has been a leader in the United States for dairy with the highest milk production than any other state, and has some of the most efficient dairy operations in the world. Northern California Regional Center is proud to offer investors the opportunity to invest in a project that will essentially be helping to feed the world. Our trip to China was quite an experience, but it did show that there is opportunity in China. Our trip to China was not only opportunity to inform potential investors of our project thanks to the changing of the Canadian immigration program and our California governors visit, but it was also an opportunity to see how successful our EB-5 project could be in the decade to come with China’s growth in demand for high quality food sources.

Artisan Business Group, Inc., has assisted many regional centers in entering China market, for more information about our services, please contact us today.

Artisan Director Melody Chen, NCRC Executives at East JP Star Consutling in Beijing

Exclusive Visas Tours China

(Source: Exclusive Visas) Exclusive Visas is currently touring China's most industrious cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Chengdu and Kunming. For the next two weeks the team will be conducting EB-5 seminars, educating Chinese investors and agents on the EB-5 program and introducing the program to interested prospects. As of now, the team has been to Beijing and Shanghai and has already received an outstanding amount of inquiries. The team is assisted by the EB-5 China Marketing and Field Support Center of Artisan Business Group, Inc.

The final three destinations in China for the Exclusive Visas team include:

•  Nanjing: October 15th - 16th
• Chongqing: October 17th - 18th
• Chengdu: October 19th - 20th

Artisan Director Melody Chen with EV Executives in Shanghai

EB-5 Regional Centers and Investors Seminar in Chicago Oct 25, 2010

CHICAGO, IL, October 18, 2010 – Commercial real estate developers, immigration attorneys, government officials, businesses considering EB-5 capital, those wishing to establish EB-5 Regional Centers and existing EB-5 Regional Centers are invited to a one-day EB-5 investors procurement workshop to be held in Chicago on October 25, 2010.  The EB-5 program was created to attract immigrant investors to the United States to invest capital, create jobs and stimulate the economy. August 31 workshop in Chicago was a great success.  Due to high demand, Artisan Business Group, Inc., is presenting another seminar this month.  The workshop is designed for:

¨      Commercial real developers considering EB-5 capital: Given the current condition of the credit market, the EB-5 Investment Visa may be the answer for businesses that lack traditional capital options.

¨      Immigration attorneys: The EB-5 program is a highly beneficial permanent residence option for the wealthy individuals and learn how to better serve Asian and Chinese investors.

¨      Those business entities wishing to establish EB-5 Regional Centers: more than 90 percent of EB-5 investment is conducted through federally designated Regional Centers.

¨      Existing EB-5 Regional Centers: topics include the latest market trends in China and Korea, structuring EB-5 investor offerings, promoting EB-5 projects to investors, finding reliable agents, investors profiling, developing effective strategies, and more.

Main Speakers and Special Guests (tentative):

Mr. Brian Su, President of Artisan Business Group, Inc., Managing Director of EB-5 China Marketing and Field Support Center, and President of the EB-5 China Market Council.  Mr. Su has successfully introduced over a dozen of EB-5 projects to China this year, and nearly 2000 job creations commitment has been resulted due to his efforts; Mr. Su has been interviewed by China Daily, Financial Times, South Morning China Post, Reuters News, The Christian Science Monitor, News Week, and other major media.  He runs a popular EB-5 blog at http://eb5news.blogspot.com.  Come, meet and talk with Mr. Brian Su to find out how you can better position your Regional Center in the marketplace and effectively secure international partners and investors for your next EB-5 project; share your thoughts and discuss your personal concerns, problems and issues with Mr. Su one-on-one in Chicago. 

Mr. Lu Sun, Vice President, MasLink Group. MasLink Group is a licensed and bonded migration-consulting firm headquartered in Beijing, China. The firm hosted and sponsored the 2009 US Immigration and Investment Forum where over 30 US EB-5 regional centers and law firms showcased their projects and services. Mr. Sun is a former executive with SmithBarney and highly experienced in EB-5 project selection and marketing. He is a Beijing native and resident of Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Peter Joseph, the Interim Executive Director, the Association to Invest In the USA (IIUSA). IIUSA is dedicated to being a unified voice for making the EB-5 Regional Center program permanent. IIUSA retains representation in Washington, DC to advocate the Association's positions to Congress, USCIS and other pertinent federal agencies. Furthermore, IIUSA works to establish the EB-5 regional Center program as a niche industry by developing, promoting and maintaining best practices and industry standards. Mr. Joseph has been involved in various aspects of the EB-5 Regional Center program, starting in 2007, when he worked for a leading EB-5 law firm as a Legal researcher. Mr. Joseph has worked for IIUSA since February 2008 and was named Interim Executive Director in February 2010. Under his leadership, IIUSA has continued to expand its membership base and influence, building momentum for Congress to make the EB-5 program permanent giving the program the certainty to fulfill its job creation potential. Mr. Joseph will be speaking about the IIUSA and the EB-5 regional Center program.

Mr. John Jiang, Managing Director, Henry Global USA.  Henry Global is one of the largest licensed migration agencies in China, the firm has over 50 offices in China and Canada as well as the USA. Mr. Jiang is responsible for selecting quality EB-5 projects for the company.

The workshop will be held October 25, 2010 in John Buck Building at 155 North Wacker Drive in Chicago from 9:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

To learn more about the seminar agenda and register for the workshop, visit www.eb5.eventbrite.com. 

Consider Investing in an EB-5 Regional Center in Nevada

(Source: dainikbhaskar.tv 10-16-2010)
If living in the southwestern region of the United States sounds like something you would enjoy, consider checking out the EB-5 regional center located in Nevada. The Nevada Regional Economic Development Center, or NREDC, is interested in potential immigrants from other countries who would like to set up a new business in the area. If you have $500,000 and a business plan, this could be the place for you. The NREDC is one of only about 40 Regional Centers approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS. If you want to help out a Targeted Employment area known for its particularly high unemployment rate, this center should be of interest to you. It offers you the chance to become a business owner in the United States with a $500,000 investment, in an area where you can make a difference. An EB-5 regional center is perfect if you do not have the million investment needed to obtain a typical EB-5 visa. The investment is cut in half because the areas designated as such need your help more than anywhere else. This particular center is in the always busy Las Vegas, which is teeming with tourists, locals, and things to do around the clock. The potential in the hospitality industry is high here, especially in areas dealing with the service industry and transportation. This is likely due to the huge amount of tourists, as about 40 million people visited in 2008. Other growing industries in Las Vegas include building infrastructure and waste management, which also indirectly deal with the tourist franchise. Investors at this center will have a choice in what projects they participate in. As long as their investment helps create more than ten jobs for U.S. citizens, even indirectly, they will have met the main objectives included in the EB-5 visa. Specific planned projects at the NREDC total more than 0 million, with about million earmarked for a new hotel. It is planned to have about 600 rooms, and while many might wonder why a new hotel is necessary in a city full of them, the answer is that Las Vegas is always growing and has room for more for hospitality-related buildings. Other plans include new medical centers and businesses that cater to the technology industry, both of which are clearly industries that will continue to grow indefinitely. The NREDC might have the plans in place, but this center needs new investors at all times to help see the plans to fruition. Anyone looking to come to the United States legally with their families within the next six months should look into the EB-5 visa. Those with a limited investment that doesn’t quite reach necessary million for the typical visa of this sort should consider putting 0,000 into this EB-5 regional center. The chance to make a difference and live in a sunny southwest city with plenty to do year round is worth it to many immigrant investors. For more information about EB-5 regional center pilot program, please contact us today.

Report from China: Idaho State Regional Center Sponsors Road Shows in Hangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing

A leading Chinese migration agency is co-hosting three-city road shows with Idaho State Regional Center to promote its new EB-5 project in Hangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. For more information about promoting EB-5 immigrant investment projects to foreign investors, contact us today.

• October 16, 2010, 2:00 pm, Hangzhou
• October 17, 2010, 2:00 pm, Shanghai
• October 23, 2010, 2:00 pm, Beijing

Report from China: Leading Migration Agency Promotes Cleveland International Fund (CiF) Regional Center Project in Wenzhou

One of the largest EB-5 migration agencies in China is launching a new EB-5 project promotional event at 2:00 pm October 23, 2010, in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province.  The seminar will promote the latest EB-5 project from Cleveland International Fund (CiF) Regional center. For more information about promoting EB-5 projects in China, contact us today.

Four New EB-5 Regional Centers Approved by USCIS

Central Arizona Regional Center (http://www.azeb5.com/)
Geographic Scope: Maricopa and Pinal (Arizona Counties)
Industries: Retail, Wholesale, Convention, Distribution and Light Assembly

Grand Canyon Regional Center, LLC
Geographic scope: Arizona counties of Pinal and Maricopa
Industries: Transitional Health Care Facilities

California Pacific Group Regional Center (http://www.capgrc.com/)
Geographic Scope: Los Angeles County, California
Industries: Retail, Food Service, Offices, Residential and Hotel & Hospitality

US Commercial Regional Center (http://www.eb5rc.com/)
Geographic scope: California Counties of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego
Industries: Retail Facilities; Restaurant Facilities, Office Facilities, Entertainment Facilities, Hospitality Facilities; Industrial Facilities; and Mixed Use Developments

For more information about setting up an marketing EB-5 regional centers, contact us today.

Report from China: NETS Project's First Beijing Road Show A Great Success

(Source: Come2USA.com)
Over two hundreds Chinese prospective investors packed the conference hall in Beijing Minzu Hotel to learn the latest EB-5 investment opportunity with the New York City Regional Center at 7:00 pm, Oct 11, 2010.  Peter Davison and Paul Levinsohn and other VIP guests from the US attended the event sponsored by Qiao Wai.  Qiao Wai CEO Ms. Ding Ying introduced the NETS projects and signed up a large number of investors on the spot. The road show will continue in 8 Chinese cities.  The project is looking for nearly 500 investors. It is expected to be sold out in six months in China. For more information about promoting your EB-5 project in China and Asia, contact us today.

Report from China: Alliance Regional Center Promotes Holiday Inn Project in Shanghai

Alliance Regional Center in Southern California is scheduling an EB-5 seminar to promote its Holiday Inn hotel project. The seminar is taking place at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Oct 17, 2010 at HSBC Tower in Pudong, Shanghai. For more information, contact us today.

Vermont Governor Douglas heads to Asia with EB-5 Delegation

Governor Jim Douglas yesterday departed for Japan on the first leg of a 12-day EB-5 trade mission to Asia to help Vermont employers attract foreign investment and create jobs.  The EB-5 program is a federal investment program run by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The goal of the program is to incent investment and create American jobs by setting aside a pool of green cards for qualified foreign investors that invest capital into approved EB-5 projects. The Vermont EB-5 Regional Center is run through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and has raised over $100 million in new capital for companies and projects. Governor Douglas and the delegation will be traveling to Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Vietnam between October 14 and October 26.

Seeking New EB-5 Investment Projects

We are looking for new EB-5 projects with the following characteristics, please feel free to contact us at http://midwestusachina.com; if you are interested in selling your EB-5 Regional Center interest, contact us as well.

 

1.     Total Capitalization: $20-100M

2.     EB5 Contribution: <70%

3.     Investment structure: preferred stock for equity; senior position for debt; junior with personal or third party guarantee.

4.     EB5 investment return 3-4%

USCIS designates New EB-5 Regional Centers in Florida, Texas, and New York

Charlotte Harbour Regional Center
Geographic Scope: Charlotte and Sarasota (Florida Counties)
Industries: Construction, Restaurant, Retail, Office Space, Marina, Sales, Real Estate, Manufacturing
Federal New York Metropolitan Regional Center
Geographic Scope: New York County, Bronx County, Queens County and King’s County
Industries: Medical Offices, Hotel, Restaurant, Commercial Offices, Retail, Entertainment and Recreational Facilities, Conference and Exhibition Center Facilities
Star of Texas Regional Center
Geographic Scope: Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty and Orange (Texas counties)
Industries: Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Technology, Real Estate and Resort Developments

EB-5 Projects Should Focus on Investor Security, Not Celebrity

With more than 100 EB-5 Regional Centers operating in the US today, investors have many options in selecting a project.  As an investor, it can be easy to be intrigued by projects that are marketed by celebrities and athletes, or those that have famous sponsors, without looking deep enough into the project to ensure that the project itself is secure.  In fact, that is often why some Regional Centers do such glamorous promotions for their projects.  If their projects are lacking in substance and security, the only way the Regional Centers can attract investors is through heavy marketing. So, what should prospective EB-5 investors do?  They should thoroughly examine projects for the two things that are most important in EB-5-- investment security and job creation—and make certain that these two key elements are well-planned and secure.

An example of a solid project was the Jay Peak Phase I project, offered recently by Vermont Agency of Community Development EB-5 RC.  Combining a solid business plan, stable project, and realistic job creation projections, this project held the key features that EB-5 investors should look for.  For current projects, Cleveland International Fund Regional Center’s (“CiF”) Flats East Bank Project is impressive to experts.  CiF is completing a three-month promotional road show in China where it marketed this project. Hundreds of interested investors were intrigued by the many aspects of security built in to this project, as well as the high level of government participation, and a clear, feasible job creation model.  This could very well be the most desirable EB-5 project on the market today. Projects such as these remind investors and experts alike what is really important in selecting an EB-5 project—security.  In all, investors are wise to do due diligence on a project before investing, and not rely on marketing gimmicks to persuade them to make an unsafe decision about their family’s future.  Instead, investors should look to projects such as Jay Peak Phase I and Flats East Bank, which have been designed with security and reliability—not glamour—in mind. 

EB5 Investment Applications Continue to Grow While the Immigration Department has not Provided any Specific Guidance in Latest Memo

(Source: Darren Silver & Associates)
Stephen Colbert's testimony to Congress on September 25, 2010 dramatized with a sarcastic style a fundamental point about reform and codification of visas available to foreign farm workers. The points made are far reaching and certainly are relevant to even the large investment areas of I immigration. As with the agricultural visa, The EB-5 investment visas have little defined and codified regulations. On the other end of the Visa scale are the EB5 investment visas. The EB-5 visa, as a brief history, the Federal Government created the EB-5 Visa in 1991 so as to encourage foreigners to invest in the U.S. The program required an investor to invest $1million or $500,000 in certain locations into a business in the USA that would create 10 full time jobs paying at least the minimum wage. Once done, the investor and his or her family would be entitled permanent residence in the USA, "Green Card." In 1993, the predecessor to the USCIS provided to potential immigrants a second option within the EB5 program, entitled the Regional Center Pilot Program. In this new configuration of EB-5, the investor would invest into a pre-existing fund, or Management Company or Business as approved by the U.S. government. These Regional Centers are typically diversified funds or private Business development projects that allow for an investor to infuse a set investment and in return acquire a small ownership interest. The Regional Centers must utilize this foreign infused investment to create 10 U.S direct or indirect jobs.
In 2004, the program was reorganized to allow for many levels of protection for the investors. The program was classified as a "pilot" program and has been extend by Congress continuously every 3 years.
The numbers of approved Immigrant Petitions under the EB-5 Visa program have been consistent over the last year, ranging from 400 to 600 applications annually. However, 2009 saw a dramatic increase in EB-5 petitions. Specifically, in 2007, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved 473 petitions for foreign investors. That figure rose to 640 in 2008, and jumped to 1,256 in 2009.
Since October 2006, U.S. companies have raised more than $1 billion and have created over 20,000 jobs (directly and indirectly) through EB-5. The number of Certified Regional Centers has risen steadily from 27 in 2008 to 80 in 2009 and it is predicted that the number will well surpass 100 by the December 2010.
As with the Agricultural visas and farm workers issues that have been discussed by comedian Stephen Colbert, the EB-5 program can benefit greatly from specific guidance from Congress. Issues abound such as where an investor's business vehicle or Regional Center produces a material change, job creation methodology shifts, Target employment locations are no longer targeted and many others.
Mr. Darren Silver, a prominent Immigration Lawyer in the field, whose Firm Darren Silver and Associates specializes in EB-5/Regional Center Immigration believes that Congress will need to intervene before these issues can be properly addressed.

Mr. Silver can be contacted directly through his website Darren Silver & Associates which is one of the Nations' preeminent Immigration Law Firms with a focus on Investment Immigration law.
Darren Silver & Associates
3699 Wilshire Blvd. 6th Floor
Los Angeles CA 90010
213-384-1900 (tel)
213-384-8285 (fax)
info(at)darrensilver(dot)com (E-mail)

DUBAI SEMINAR: Former U.S. Vice Consul to Discuss U.S. Immigration Options for Investors

Did you know that you and your family can live permanently anywhere you want in the U.S. via an EB-5 Immigrant Investor visa? Explore your EB-5 Entrepreneur Visa options with Attorney Jose Latour, founder of Private Placement Partners, LLC, a U.S. consortium of expert immigration attorneys, developers, and project managers offering the most robust and well-structured EB-5 opportunities available anywhere. If a stabilized Regional Center investment and the freedom from running a day to day business suits you, partner with proven U.S. Forbes 400 investors in the first public/private EB5 program submitted to the USCIS, featuring a loan-based structure, conservative annual return, and five-year loan maturation/return of investor capital. The Lake Point EcoVentures Regional Center limits EB-5 capital to 10% of the $100,000,000 project, which is already operational; therefore only 20 Investors will be able to participate. If you want something more "hands on", Private Placement Partners, LLC can assist you in selecting pre-vetted, undervalued commercial and residential real estate development opportunities, crafting a customized individual EB-5 visa administered by our in-house, A/V rated U.S. investment immigration attorney - we can even help you segue into the business through our interim management solutions. Whether the EB-5 Regional Center option is right for you or you'd prefer an individual, active investment, Private Placement Partners has put turnkey, EB-5 investment-based U.S. immigration solutions under one roof by selecting most respected entrepreneurs, attorneys, and project teams in America.

• The U.S. immigrant investor program has no requirements as to age, business experience, or language skills and provides permanent residency in the United States for you, your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21. Adult children and their spouse and children can be gifted the investment funds and join you in the U.S.!

• The program allows you to gain U.S. citizenship after being a Green Card holder for 5 years.This informational seminar is free to qualified investors and is being held in Dubai, UAE on November 17, 2010. A limited number of private appointments with Mr. Latour are available following this event.

• Farsi speaking immigration consultants will also be present.

Location : Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, UAE
Contact : Jose Latour jlatour@latourlaw.com

Chinese EB-5 Website Reports Atlantic Yards Report on NYCRC NETS Project

Atlantic Yards Report's negative blogging on NYCRC NETS project also draws attention from Shanghai based EB-5 Internet portal "Come2USA.com" - a popular Chinese language website that serves Chinese audience and prospective EB-5 investors. The website has been reporting Atlantic Yards daily blogs and updates on the NYCRC project.  For more information about EB-5 China market, contact us today.

Report from China: NYCRC's NETS EB-5 Project Makes Big Wave in China

(Graphic source: Wailian) Despite recent negative blog reports on the New York City Regional Center's Atlantic Yard project, Chinese migration brokers are eager to promoting NYCRC's new project - NBA NETS stadium project. Based on our weekend survey with major EB-5 migration agencies in China, it is expected the project 400+ investor slots could be sold out to Chinese investors in six months. In Beijing, Kun Peng and Qiao Wai (two major licensed migration agencies) are ready to launch marketing campaign for the NETS project on Oct 11, 2010.  Per insider's information, NBA's NETS and Rocket basketball teams are playing off in Beijing Oct 13, 2010, hundreds of free tickets are given away to officials and agents by local promoters; Gregg Hayden of NYCRC has been traveling to meet and sign up Chinese migration agencies around the country. The NETS project presents a lot pressure and challenges to other EB-5 projects that are currently being marketed in China.  For more information about marketing EB-5 regional center projects, contact us today.

Report from China: NYCRC Start its First Roadshow in Beijing Oct 11, 2010

New York City Regional Center (NYCRC) is working with a major Chinese migration consulting firm to promote its new NETS stadium EB-5 project in the following cities in China in October and November. The project is seeking total 498 EB-5 investors and to be complete in 2012. For more information about attracting Chinese EB-5 investors, contact us today.

October 11 (Monday) 7-8:30 PM Beijing Nationality (Minzu) Hotel

October 16 (Saturday) 12 noon - 5 pm Guangzhou Westin Hotel

October 17 (Sunday) Shunde, Foshang, Guangdong Province

October 21 (Thursday) Zhuhai, Guangdong Province

October 23 (Saturday) Shenzhen, Guangdong Province

October 24 (Sunday) Shanghai

October 30 (Saturday) Nanjing, Jiangsu Province

November 2 (Tuesday) Chengdu, Sichuan Province

November 5 (Friday) Chongqing

(Source and Graphic: Qiao Wai)

Brooklyn politician will not join EB-5 China trip

(Source: Exclusive Visas) After it was indicated that he might be accompanying a businessman on a trip to China to drum up interest in the EB-5 visa program, the Brooklyn Borough President has decided to stay in New York. Marty Markowitz has decided not to accompany developer Bruce Ratner on his EB-5 trip to China, where the businessman will try to draw investors for his ambitious Atlantic Yards project, reports the New York Post. The city's Conflict of Interests Board had approved the trip but Markowitz decided to stay, although a spokesman said it was not because of public pressure, reports the news source. Markowitz "supports the group's mission, wishes it great success and is confident the project will excite even more investors as it moves forward," said Markowitz spokesman Mark Zustovich. Ratner and his company, Forest City Ratner, is hoping to obtain $250 million in investments through the EB-5 visa program to help finance the $4.9 billion Atlantic Yards development, which includes a basketball arena that could be the potential home of the New Jersey Nets.

Report form China: NYCRC Promotes NETS Barclays Center EB-5 Project Oct 12 in Beijing

(Source & Graphic: Kun Peng Int'l) NYCRC and another Beijing migration broker Kun Peng Int'l are jointly sponsoring a promotional seminar at 7:00 pm October 12, 2010, at Beijing Diao Yu Tai Hotel Banquet Hall. For more information about NYCRC's EB-5 promotional tour in China, contact us today.

EB-5 Investors Procurement Seminar Announced in Chicago

Artisan Business Group is hosting another EB-5 Investors Procurement Seminar October 25, 2010, in downtown Chicago, if you are in EB-5 regional center business or ready to get into involved in EB-5 program, book early today online at http://eb5.eventbrite.com. The EB-5 workshop is geared towards alternative funding for commercial real estate business, immigration attorneys, real estate developers, bankers, government officials, and marketing consultants are welcome to attend.

Chinese Executives Visit Artisan Business Group Headquarters in Springfield, IL

Chinese business executives from Guizhou Province, China, paid a two day visit to Artisan Business Group, Inc., home office in Springfield.  Mr. Michael Wang, Vice President of Jinyeshan International Trade Development Co. & Midstates Enterprises (USA), Inc., and Ms. Shirley Shi of Artisan Business Group, Inc., Guiyang Liaison Office were on their 10-day tour in Brazil and the US; and They have been visiting Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles in the US, and spend two days in Springfield to discuss developing EB-5 business in Guizhou Province, China.  For more information about EB-5 immigrant investor program, contact us today.

EB-5 Regional Centers Showcase Investment Projects in Korea

A number of EB-5 regional centers, law firms, and consulting firms are attending the Korean Emigration and Investment Fair in Seoul, Korea Oct. 2-3, 2010.  Florida Regional Center, the New York Proton Regional Center, CMB Regional Center, America's Center for Foreign Investment, Lake Buena Vista Resort Regional Center, Exclusive Visas, Jin Lee Law Group, Law Firm of Winners, American Deli, Inc., New Star Global, Ltd., Hana Emigration Development Co., Ltd.,  Ernst & Riley Law Group, LLC, are setting up exhibition booths at the Fair. For more information about trade shows in Asia, contact us today.