What is the difference between an EB-5 project with ‘exemplar’ status and a standard one?

In the EB-5 program, the difference between a project with ‘exemplar’ status and a standard project lies in the level of review the project has undergone, not in who may or may not invest in it.

An ‘exemplar’ project is one that, in addition to meeting program requirements, has been submitted to a more in-depth review of its documentation and job creation plan. This tends to offer investors an added layer of predictability and confidence.

A standard project meets the minimum program requirements without necessarily having gone through that additional review. This does not mean it is unviable or that it fails to meet the criteria, only that it does not carry the same track record of prior validation.

• ‘Exemplar’: more in-depth review and greater predictability.
• Standard: meets minimum requirements, without the extra review.
• Both must meet EB-5 criteria.

To reduce risk, it is worth evaluating the project in detail and confirming the current status and criteria with USCIS and specialized professionals before investing.

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.