Over 90% of EB-5 investors use regional centers. Here is how they work.

Regional Centers are USCIS-designated entities that manage EB-5 investment funds in large-scale projects. They allow passive investment and count indirect and induced jobs toward the 10-job requirement, making it easier to satisfy program requirements than direct investment.

Overview

Regional Centers are USCIS-designated entities that manage EB-5 investment funds in large-scale projects. They allow passive investment and count indirect and induced jobs toward the 10-job requirement, making it easier to satisfy program requirements than direct investment.

This page provides detailed legal information about regional center eb-5 investment as it applies to permanent residents in the United States. Understanding the requirements, deadlines, and procedures ensures your immigration status remains secure. All content is authored by Jayson Elliott, J.D., a California-licensed attorney, and is current as of April 2026.

Green-card renewal and replacement are USCIS functions. Most applicants experience a straightforward process; the cases that go sideways tend to involve criminal records, conditional permanent residency, lost or stolen cards, or pending naturalization. Familiarity with the requirements, processing windows, and common issue areas helps prevent delay and keeps your status secure during the renewal.

What to do about regional center eb-5 investment

Your Rights Under California Law

Permanent residents have substantial rights under federal law.

Right to continued status

Permanent-resident status does not expire when the card expires. The card serves as evidence of status, not the status itself. LPR status persists unless it is formally terminated — by abandonment, removal proceedings, or rescission.

Right to work

An expired EB-5 visa with a valid I-90 receipt notice remains acceptable proof of employment authorization. Employers cannot require reverification or refuse to accept this documentation.

Right to travel

An expired green card paired with your receipt notice supports international travel and reentry. If you’ll be outside the U.S. for more than a year, file Form I-131 (reentry permit) before departure.

How California Law Applies

The legal framework for green-card renewal sits in the Immigration and Nationality Act, with implementing rules at 8 CFR § 264.5. USCIS reviews each Form I-90 against the applicant’s identity, prior LPR status, and any disqualifying factors.

USCIS extended the receipt notice validity to 36 months on September 10, 2024, superseding the 24-month and 12-month versions. The extended notice covers every properly filed I-90 renewal and supports continued work and travel through processing.

Different rules apply to conditional permanent residents. INA § 216 covers marriage-based conditional status, and INA § 216A covers investor-based status; both require petitions to remove conditions within the 90-day window leading up to card expiration.

The Legal Process

Form I-90 begins the renewal — file it online at uscis.gov or by mail to the Phoenix lockbox. USCIS’s I-797C receipt notice, issued on acceptance, serves as proof of LPR status while the case is pending.

Adjudication times for Form I-90 range from 8 to 14 months, varying with workload and service-center assignment. Premium processing isn’t available. Status can be checked online using the receipt number.

What Documentation Matters

Key documents for EB-5 investment include:

• Current or expired EB-5 visa — Front and back copy. If lost, submit a police report or written explanation.
• Government-issued photo ID — Passport, driver’s license, or state ID with name, date of birth, photo, and signature.
• Filing fee — $415 online or $465 by mail. Fee waivers available with Form I-912.
• Name change evidence — If applicable: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order with certified English translation if in a foreign language.
• Form I-797C receipt notice — After filing, save this document. It extends your card’s validity for 36 months.

Frequently Asked Questions