EB-5 Economic Impact Reports: How Job Creation Is Calculated

Every EB-5 investor must demonstrate that their investment will create at least 10 full time jobs for U.S. workers. But how, exactly, does a proposed hotel development or manufacturing facility prove that it will generate hundreds or even thousands of jobs? The answer lies in the economic impact report, a document prepared by a qualified economist that uses recognized input/output models to project how investment dollars translate into employment. This report is one of the most consequential documents in any EB-5 petition, and understanding how it works is essential for investors, project sponsors, and immigration professionals alike. This article explains the methodology behind EB-5 economic impact reports, the models economists use, the distinction between construction and operational job creation, and the factors that make the difference between a strong report and one that draws a Request for Evidence from USCIS. ## Why Economic Impact Matters in the EB-5 Program The...