What is Matter of Ho in the context of EB-5?

The Matter of Ho is an administrative ruling in the United States that has become a key reference point in EB-5, particularly in evaluating whether a project is genuinely capable of generating the jobs it projects.

Many EB-5 projects, especially those linked to regional centers, count jobs created indirectly, based on economic modeling methodologies. Matter of Ho is invoked to demand rigor in those projections: the numbers must be supported by sound economic analyses and expert opinions, not by optimistic estimates without basis.

In practice, this precedent also guides immigration officers to carefully examine the business plan and the evidence of job creation. The central message is that each case is reviewed individually, with technical scrutiny, which underscores the importance of well-prepared documentation.

• Serves as a reference for validating job creation projections.
• Requires a solid economic basis for projected indirect jobs.
• Guides the case-by-case review of the business plan.

Because the interpretation of precedents can evolve, it is worth confirming how these standards are applied today with USCIS and working with specialists experienced in preparing EB-5 cases.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.