What is the difference between ‘Direct EB-5’ and ‘Regional Center EB-5’ on the DS-260?

The difference between Direct EB-5 and Regional Center EB-5 lies in how the investor participates in the business and how jobs are created, and this distinction must be identified correctly when completing the DS-260.

In the Direct EB-5, the investor puts capital into an active business and takes on a direct role in its management and operations. The required jobs must arise directly from the company’s own activities, which implies a commitment to day-to-day administration and to demonstrating that the venture creates employment for workers in the United States.

In the Regional Center EB-5, the investment is channeled into projects run by a regional center, an entity designated by the government to facilitate investment in specific areas. The center handles the administrative side, and job creation can be counted both directly and indirectly, with less involvement from the investor in management.

• Direct: active management and jobs created directly by the operation itself.
• Regional Center: third-party project, delegated management, direct and indirect jobs.
• On the DS-260, selecting the correct option guides the documentation requirements.

Because each option carries its own documentation requirements, it is worth confirming updated requirements with USCIS and organizing everything with specialized support before declaring your choice on the form.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.