How is the count of 10 employees made in the Regional Center?

Understanding the criteria for job counting is essential for those analyzing projects or intending to invest through the EB-5 visa, especially when the investment is made via a Regional Center. In general terms, the EB-5 program requires that the enterprise associated with the investment generates, directly, indirectly, or induced, at least 10 full-time jobs for American citizens or permanent residents.

In the case of Regional Centers, the count of these 10 jobs follows specific guidelines established by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). In projects conducted by Regional Centers, the methodology for counting jobs may include not only positions created directly by the beneficiary company but also those generated indirectly and induced.

For EB-5 purposes, a full-time job is commonly defined as a position that requires, on average, at least 35 hours per week and is maintained for at least one year. If a position is exercised on a part-time basis, it may be converted into a “full-time equivalent” by adding the working hours performed by several employees, provided that the sum reaches the threshold of a full-time job.

Within the context of a Regional Center, the counting process often relies on economic analyses and projections contained in the project’s business plan. These analyses typically use standardized methodologies-such as economic impact models-which consider the multiplier effects of the investment. In other words, even if not all jobs generated are created directly by the funded company, they may be counted indirectly if there is evidence that the investment boosted the local economy and fostered the emergence of new employment opportunities.

It is important to remember that the demonstration process for creating the 10 jobs must be thoroughly documented and aligned with USCIS regulations. Therefore, it is advisable to always strictly follow United States immigration laws and rely on the support of specialists in business plan analysis and job counting, avoiding falling for promises of miraculous solutions or marketing approaches that guarantee results without concrete basis in current legislation.

Thus, the counting of 10 employees in a Regional Center involves both verifying direct jobs-positions created by the enterprise’s activity-and validating indirect and induced jobs, which are projected through economic studies and recognized as part of the EB-5 program requirements. This detail is essential to ensure compliance with the strict eligibility criteria and avoid future issues in the immigration process.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.