How to Evaluate an EB-5 Project

25 questions to ask before choosing any EB-5 offering — including ours.

Use this list when evaluating any EB-5 project, not only an EB5SETU offering:

1. Has Form I-956F been filed or approved?
2. Is the TEA rural or high-unemployment?
3. Who owns the land?
4. Has the land been acquired?
5. Are zoning and permits complete?
6. Has construction begun?
7. How much sponsor equity has been invested?
8. Is EB-5 capital replacing bridge financing?
9. Where does EB-5 rank in the capital stack?
10. Is the EB-5 loan secured?
11. Who guarantees completion or repayment?
12. What happens if the offering is not fully subscribed?
13. What is the job cushion?
14. Which project expenses actually drive job creation?
15. What is the proposed exit?
16. What extension rights does the borrower have?
17. What conflicts of interest exist between the developer, manager, and other roles?
18. Who controls investor distributions?
19. Is there independent fund administration?
20. How will construction updates be communicated, and how often?
21. What is the sponsor's track record on prior EB-5 offerings?
22. Who is the independent economist, and when was the job-creation study last updated?
23. What administrative and ongoing fees apply, beyond the capital investment?
24. How are investor funds held (escrow or otherwise) before I-526E filing or approval?
25. What insurance or completion guarantees, if any, protect the project?

A sponsor willing to answer these questions directly and in writing is a good early signal. See our capital stack and loan vs. equity guides for background on several of these questions.