EB-5 Regional Center List 2026: All Approved Centers | EB5Status

USCIS maintains an official list of approved EB-5 regional centers on its website. This list is the only authoritative source for verifying whether a regional center is currently designated to sponsor EB-5 investment projects. As of early 2026, the list includes approximately 600 or more approved regional centers across the United States. Source: USCIS, Approved EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Centers, updated periodically. Blue trust tier.

For prospective EB-5 investors, the regional center list is a starting point for due diligence, but it is only a starting point. USCIS approval of a regional center means that the center has been designated to operate in a specific geographic area and has met certain filing requirements. It does not mean that any particular project offered by the center is a sound investment, that the center has a strong track record, or that investors will achieve positive outcomes.

This article explains how to use the USCIS regional center list, what approval does and does not signify, how to check for terminated or withdrawn centers, and how to conduct due diligence that goes well beyond USCIS designation.

Individual investment decisions involve significant financial and immigration risk. Consult a qualified immigration attorney and, where appropriate, an independent financial advisor before investing.

The official list of approved EB-5 regional centers is published on the USCIS website at uscis.gov. The list is organized by state and includes:

1. The regional center's name
2. The state(s) in which it is approved to operate
3. The regional center's USCIS designation number

Source: USCIS, Approved EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Centers. Blue trust tier.

How to Verify a Specific Center's Status#

To verify whether a regional center is currently approved:

1. Visit the USCIS website and navigate to the EB-5 regional center list.
2. Search for the regional center by name or by state.
3. Confirm that the center appears on the list with an active designation.

If a regional center claims to be USCIS approved but does not appear on the current list, this is a significant red flag. The center may have been terminated, may never have been approved, or may have had its designation voluntarily withdrawn.

Frequency of Updates#

USCIS updates the regional center list periodically, but not always in real time. There can be a delay between a termination action and its appearance on the list. For the most current status, investors can also file a FOIA request or check the USCIS case status system for any pending actions against the center.

This distinction is critical, and it is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the EB-5 program.

What Approval Does Mean#

USCIS has reviewed the regional center's Form I-956 application. Under the RIA, regional centers must file Form I-956 (Application for Regional Center Designation) and demonstrate that they will promote economic growth within a defined geographic area. Source: 8 CFR 204.6(m); USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 6, Part G, Chapter 6. Blue trust tier.

The center has been authorized to operate in specific geographic area(s). Approval is geographically limited. A center approved for Texas cannot sponsor projects in California without additional designation.

The center has paid into the Integrity Fund. Under the RIA, all approved regional centers must contribute to the EB-5 Integrity Fund, which supports USCIS oversight and compliance activities. Source: Public Law 117-103, Division BB, Title I, Section 105. Blue trust tier.

The center has designated principals and compliance personnel. The RIA requires regional centers to identify their principals and certify compliance with background check and other integrity requirements.

What Approval Does NOT Mean#

USCIS has not evaluated any specific investment project. USCIS approves regional centers, not individual projects. A center may have an approved Form I-956F (for a specific project), but the I-956 approval alone does not vouch for any project.

USCIS has not audited the center's finances. Regional center approval is based on the filing, not on a comprehensive financial audit. A center can be approved and still have financial difficulties, management problems, or compliance deficiencies that are not yet known to USCIS.

USCIS has not guaranteed investor outcomes. Approval carries no warranty of success. Investors whose petitions are filed through an approved regional center can still be denied, and investors can still lose their capital.

USCIS has not evaluated the center's management quality. Approval is a regulatory designation, not a quality rating. The center's track record with investors, its project completion history, and its financial management are not evaluated as part of the designation process.

The number of approved regional centers has fluctuated significantly over the years. The following table provides context. Source: USCIS published data; EB5Status analysis of USCIS regional center list snapshots. Blue trust tier (USCIS data); Gray trust tier (derived analysis).

The decline from approximately 900 centers in 2015 to approximately 600 in 2026 reflects a combination of USCIS termination actions, voluntary withdrawals, and the attrition of centers that did not re-apply under the RIA framework. This consolidation has, in general, improved the average quality of the remaining center population, though the range of quality remains wide.

USCIS has the authority to terminate a regional center's designation for several reasons, including failure to comply with program requirements, fraud, or misrepresentation. Source: INA Section 203(b)(5)(M); 8 CFR 204.6(m). Blue trust tier.

Reasons for Termination#

1. Failure to submit required reports. Regional centers must file annual certifications and financial statements with USCIS. Failure to do so can result in termination.

2. Fraud or material misrepresentation. Centers that submit fraudulent applications or materially misrepresent facts in their filings face termination and potential criminal referral.

3. Failure to maintain Integrity Fund compliance. Under the RIA, failure to pay the required Integrity Fund fee or comply with audit requirements can lead to termination.

4. Economic underperformance. Centers that fail to promote economic growth as described in their approved applications can face redesignation or termination.

5. SEC enforcement actions. Several regional centers have been the subject of Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement actions for fraud. While the SEC and USCIS operate independently, SEC actions often trigger USCIS termination proceedings.

Impact on Investors#

When a regional center is terminated, the impact on investors depends on their case status:

Investors with pending I-526E petitions may receive a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) if their petition is associated with a terminated center. In some cases, investors may be able to retain their priority date and file a new petition with a different center.

Investors with approved I-526E petitions are generally not affected by a subsequent termination, provided they have already obtained conditional residency.

Investors with conditional green cards may face complications at the I-829 stage if the project associated with the terminated center did not create the required jobs.

For a deeper analysis of regional center evaluation, see our regional center checklist.

The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 established the EB-5 Integrity Fund, funded by fees from regional centers, project developers, and investors. Source: Public Law 117-103, Division BB, Title I, Section 105. Blue trust tier.

The Integrity Fund supports:

1. Site visits to regional center projects to verify construction progress and operational claims.
2. Audits of regional center financial records and investor fund management.
3. Fund administrator oversight to ensure that EB-5 investor capital is properly held and deployed.
4. Background checks on regional center principals, project sponsors, and associated individuals.
5. Enforcement actions against non-compliant centers, including termination proceedings.

The Integrity Fund has increased the cost of operating a regional center (centers pay annual fees) and has raised the compliance bar. For investors, this is generally positive: enhanced oversight reduces (but does not eliminate) the risk of fraud and mismanagement.

For more on the Integrity Fund, see our Integrity Fund explainer.

USCIS approval is a necessary but insufficient condition for investor confidence. A thorough evaluation should include the following elements:

Track Record Assessment#

1. Number of projects completed. A center that has successfully completed multiple EB-5 projects and returned capital to investors presents less risk than a center with no completion history.

2. I-526E and I-829 approval rates. Ask the regional center for data on the approval rates of petitions filed through their projects. While centers are not required to disclose this, reputable centers typically do.

3. Job creation history. Has the center's prior projects created the required number of jobs? Were there any job creation shortfalls at the I-829 stage?

4. Capital return history. For prior projects, did investors receive their capital back? If so, on what timeline? Capital return is not guaranteed in EB-5, but a center's history provides a meaningful signal.

Financial and Legal Due Diligence#

1. Review the Private Placement Memorandum (PPM). Every regional center EB-5 offering should be accompanied by a PPM, which is a securities disclosure document. Have an attorney or financial advisor review it.

2. Check for SEC enforcement actions. Search the SEC's EDGAR database and enforcement action archives for any filings or actions related to the regional center or its principals.

3. Check for litigation. Search federal and state court records for lawsuits involving the center, its principals, or its projects. Investor lawsuits, in particular, are a significant warning sign.

4. Verify the fund administrator. Under the RIA, EB-5 investor funds must be held by a qualified fund administrator. Verify the administrator's identity, registration, and reputation.

5. Confirm Integrity Fund compliance. Ask the center to provide evidence that it is current on all Integrity Fund payments and compliance obligations.

Project Specific Evaluation#

1. Evaluate the specific project, not just the center. A center with a strong track record on prior projects may still offer a new project with significant risks. Each project should be evaluated independently.

2. Assess the economic model. Review the economic impact analysis (typically RIMS II or IMPLAN based) for reasonable assumptions and conservative job creation estimates.

3. Verify project financing. What percentage of total project cost comes from EB-5 funds vs. non-EB-5 capital (developer equity, bank loans, other financing)? Projects that are over-reliant on EB-5 capital present higher risk.

4. Assess construction status. Projects that are already under construction or substantially complete present lower risk than projects that have not yet broken ground.

5. Review the exit strategy. How and when will EB-5 investors receive their capital back? What are the repayment sources? Is the timeline realistic?

Management Evaluation#

1. Research the principals. Who owns and operates the regional center? What is their background in real estate development, immigration, or financial services? Are there any criminal records, regulatory sanctions, or bankruptcy filings?

2. Evaluate transparency. Does the center proactively share project updates, financial statements, and construction progress reports with investors? Transparency is a hallmark of well-run centers.

3. Assess communication quality. How responsive is the center to investor inquiries? Do they provide timely and substantive answers?

"USCIS approved means USCIS recommends." USCIS approval is a regulatory designation, not a recommendation. USCIS does not endorse any regional center or project.

"More projects means better." A center that has launched many projects is not necessarily better than one that has launched fewer. What matters is the completion rate, job creation history, and capital return track record.

"The center is the same as the project." Regional centers can sponsor multiple projects, each with different developers, locations, and risk profiles. Investors should evaluate each project independently, not assume that the center's brand guarantees quality across all offerings.

"If the center is approved, my petition will be approved." USCIS evaluates each I-526E petition individually. A strong regional center cannot compensate for a weak source of funds case, and a flawed project can result in petition denial regardless of the center's designation status.

"Terminated centers are rare." USCIS has terminated dozens of regional centers over the years, and additional termination proceedings are ongoing. Termination is a real risk that investors must account for. For context on regional center vs. direct investment models, see our regional center vs. direct EB-5 guide.

The USCIS regional center list is the authoritative source for verifying a center's approved status, but it tells investors very little about the quality, financial health, or track record of the center. Approximately 600 or more regional centers are currently approved, representing a consolidation from the peak of approximately 900.

USCIS approval means the center has filed the required application, paid into the Integrity Fund, and been authorized to operate in a specific geographic area. It does not mean USCIS has evaluated any specific project, audited the center's finances, or endorsed the center for investment.

Investors should conduct comprehensive due diligence that goes well beyond checking the USCIS list. This includes evaluating the center's track record (projects completed, I-526E approval rates, capital return history), reviewing legal and financial documents (PPM, economic analysis, fund administrator verification), checking for enforcement actions and litigation, and assessing the management team's qualifications and transparency.

The Integrity Fund, established by the RIA, has raised the oversight bar and increased compliance costs for regional centers, which generally benefits investors through enhanced monitoring.

Consult an immigration attorney and an independent financial advisor for personalized guidance regarding regional center evaluation and EB-5 investment decisions. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an endorsement of any specific regional center or project.

Data sources: USCIS Approved EB-5 Regional Center List; USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 6, Part G; INA Section 203(b)(5); Public Law 117-103, Division BB (EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022); 8 CFR 204.6(m). Last verified March 19, 2026.