The Immigrant Investor Pilot Program was created by Section 610 of Public Law 102-395 (Oct. 6, 1992) and is administered by United States Customs and Immigration Service. EB-5 requirements for an investor under the Pilot Program are essentially the same as in the standard EB-5 investor program, except the Pilot Program provides for investments that are affiliated with an economic unit known as a “Regional Center.” Investments made through regional centers can take advantage of a more expansive concept of job creation including both “indirect” and “direct” jobs through the Targeted Employment Areas (TEA) designations.
Requests for TEA’s are only accepted from the USCIS designated Regional Centers or their authorized representative verified through written permission by the POC.