Question:
Is it easier to invest in a project with multiple investors or by myself? Does the processing time differ for EB-5 projects that have multiple investors versus projects created by one investor only? Is it more simple, legally, if I invest in my own project rather than with other investors?
Answers:
First, seek the advice of an experienced EB-5 attorney. Your choice of investment project will depend on the financial and business viability of an EB-5 compliant project. Second, the time for processing the investors I-526 petitions will depend on a number of factors including the business plan , economic report showing job creation and the documents authenticating the investors source of investment funds. There is no predictability as to the times for processing the I-526 petitions.
If you are investing in a regional center project, you may be able to take advantage of having other investors filing (and hopefully receiving approval) before you. That way, the adjudicator will be familiar with the project and regional center. Even then, processing times are only estimates and cannot be guaranteed by anyone. For an individual investment you’d be going through the Direct EB-5 route. USCIS estimates for processing times do not distinguish between regional center and direct EB-5 investments.