EB-5 capital planning

What EB-5 capital is

Under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, foreign investors who put capital into a qualifying U.S. project that creates jobs may become eligible for permanent residency. Most project capital is raised through USCIS-designated regional centers, which pool investor funds and lend them to or invest them in the project. For a sponsor, EB-5 capital usually arrives as a loan or preferred equity behind the senior lender, often at a lower cost than other mezzanine or equity capital.

Where the program stands

The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 rewrote the program. It added new integrity and audit rules for regional centers, created set-aside visa categories for rural and high-unemployment projects and set the minimum investment at $1,050,000, or $800,000 in a targeted employment area (rural or high-unemployment). In 2026 the Department of Homeland Security proposed detailed regulations to implement the Act, and the regional center program is currently authorized through September 30, 2027. Requirements, investment amounts and processing rules change; we confirm the current position with immigration counsel on every engagement.

What a project needs to be ready

• A clear job-creation case, usually an economic impact study showing enough jobs per investor
• Location analysis: rural or high-unemployment area designation materially affects investor demand and minimum investment
• A complete capital stack and timeline, including the senior lender's position on subordinate EB-5 capital
• A project business plan, budget and market study that hold up under regional center and investor diligence
• Securities, immigration and corporate counsel experienced in EB-5
• Realistic timing: EB-5 raises take time, so bridge capital is often part of the plan

How Star Advantage helps

• Assess early whether a project is a realistic candidate for EB-5 capital
• Model how EB-5 capital would sit in the stack and what it does to cost, leverage and timing
• Prepare the project materials lenders and regional centers both need
• Introduce experienced regional centers, economists and counsel, and coordinate the process with the senior financing
• Find bridge financing where the EB-5 raise follows the project start

Star Advantage Funding does not operate a regional center, sell securities or give immigration or securities advice. Investors and sponsors rely on their own qualified counsel. Star Advantage Funding is not a lender and does not guarantee financing, terms, approvals, savings, concessions or incentives. Results depend on the transaction, the counterparties, market conditions and the services agreed upon.