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You know that the EB-5 is currently the fastest program that leads to a green card compared to any other program with no requirements on specific work or academic accomplishments, being extraordinary or having any occupation at all.
Now that you have put the funds together to apply for the EB-5, the key question is which EB-5 approved project are you going to lend your money to, either as a capital investment or equity investment. This is the topic of our video today, as this will determine how likely it is that you will be paid back on time after you have become a US green card holder.
Every regional centre out there is trying to convince you to invest in their projects – which is very typical, just like financial institutions, real estate developers or banks. Everyone wants your money, but have you done an analysis of the EB-5 projects yet to see which ones offer you serious advantages over the other ones?
Before we dive into the project details, let's cover some fundamental points you need to understand before investing in any EB-5 project:
- No capital guarantees exist. There is no EB-5 project that can guarantee you'll get your money back. In fact, capital guarantees aren't legally allowed under USCIS regulations for the EB-5 program.
- No perfect project exists. Just like any investment in the world, every EB-5 project has some level of risk. The key is understanding and calculating your downside risk versus the potential upside. With EB-5, if you focus too heavily on the upside, you might be caught off guard by unpleasant surprises.
- You can't diversify your EB-5 investment. Your full $800,000 investment must go into a single USCIS-approved EB-5 project. You cannot split it across multiple projects.
- No guaranteed refund if your immigration application is denied. There's no regulation forcing a regional center to return your $800,000 if USCIS denies your I-526E petition. This is crucial to understand: even though the investment must be completed before you file your immigration application, there's no exit pathway if your case is denied. Your funds would remain in the project until completion or stabilization, as outlined in your investment agreement.
The bottom line: Without proper due diligence, your immigration case could be denied and your investment funds could be lost. However, if you follow the right steps—having our legal team review your source of funds documentation and choosing lower-risk projects—you significantly increase your chances of green card approval and getting your capital back within 3.5 to 6 years, depending on the project you select.
In this article, we'll walk through the key aspects to look for in an EB-5 project, using one of the most sought-after opportunities in Q4 2025 as our example. We'll be looking at the Moxy Hotel development in downtown Atlanta, also known as the Moxy Centennial Olympic Park project. This is a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) project with reserved visa allocations, which means faster immigration processing without the typical backlog.
This project scored 71.6 out of 100 on our proprietary EB-5 analysis algorithm. Let me explain what drives this score and the key criteria you should consider.
We pride ourselves on unbiased analysis of all EB-5 projects, which is why you'll rarely see any project score above 80 on our scale. Our scoring is based on multiple criteria, including:
- The regional center's track record
- Escrow account availability
- Financial and mortgage documentation
- Timeline for returning capital to EB-5 investors
- Job creation metrics
- Project location
- Security filings, complaints, and lawsuits (essentially a background check on all project stakeholders)
Let's take a closer look at this project:
USCIS Approval & Structure: This project has already received USCIS I-956F approval, which means it can accept EB-5 investors who will be eligible to apply for their conditional green cards.
The project was designed for 41 EB-5 investors, raising an estimated $32.8 million, with a maximum cap of $43.2 million if needed. Each EB-5 investor is expected to generate 16.8 jobs—a comfortable buffer above the minimum 10-job requirement mandated by EB-5 regulations.
Project Financials: The construction contract with Winter Construction Company is valued at $36,143,610. When you factor in land acquisition, development costs, loan interest, and financing, the total project cost is estimated at $61,177,898.
Third-party studies and market analysis have been completed and are included in the financial prospectus.
Capital Stack: (This is Important) The capital structure is particularly favorable for EB-5 investors:
- 61% EB-5 investor funds – in the senior loan position, meaning EB-5 investors get repaid first before other lenders. This is always the preferred position for any EB-5 investment.
- 27% sponsor equity – the developer has significant skin in the game
- 10% additional senior note – positioned after EB-5 investors but still senior debt
This capital stack structure provides strong investor protection since you're at the top of the repayment hierarchy.
Stakeholder Background & Project Progress: The developers, sponsors, and all stakeholders involved have clean records—no lawsuits, SEC complaints, or USCIS violations on file. Every party associated with this project has passed our background check in terms of public filings.
Construction is already underway. This isn't a brand-new EB-5 project just entering the market to seek investors—the Moxy Hotel structure is already erected, and the team is currently finalizing interior work including electrical trims, storefront installations, mechanical and plumbing trims, glass installations, elevation framing, and guestroom door thresholds. Photos and regular quarterly updates are available to all investors.
Investors can expect their EB-5 capital back in approximately 3 years, rather than the typical 5-6 years. Here's why:
The project is already 50% complete, and the hotel is scheduled to open in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Atlanta serving as one of the host cities. The proximity to downtown Atlanta's massive stadium and international conference center should help the hotel stabilize operations and cash flow quickly, enabling loan repayment to investors by late 2028 or mid-2029.
We always build in a 6-12 month buffer beyond any project's estimated repayment timeline, which is why our conservative forecast is mid-2029 in a worst-case scenario.
This accelerated timeline is a significant advantage for EB-5 investors prioritizing capital preservation and shorter investment horizons.
You might notice we didn't rank the potential ROI for this project. Here's why: if you're focused on investment returns, you're approaching EB-5 from the wrong angle. In our proprietary EB-5 ranking system, potential returns carry zero weight—and that's intentional. Your primary goals with EB-5 should be capital preservation and securing your green card, not maximizing returns.
We regularly analyze EB-5 projects and share our unbiased assessments on our YouTube channel. Stay tuned for more project analyses in the coming months.
Here's what you'll need to budget when applying for this EB-5 project:
Core Investment & Fees (Per Family)
- EB-5 investment: $800,000 (must be paid in full upfront, cannot be split or paid in installments)
- Regional center fee: $80,000 (paid together with the investment)
- Legal fees: $25,000 (paid in 2 milestones)
Government Filing Fees (When Applying from Outside the USA)
- I-526E petition (conditional green card application): $12,160 per family
- I-829 petition (to remove conditions—filed 90 days before your 2-year green card anniversary): $9,525 per family
- DS-260 (immigrant visa processing after I-526E approval, allowing you to enter the US): $345 per person
Total Cost Examples
- Single applicant: $927,030
This includes the $800,000 investment, all fees, and government filing costs
- Family of four: $928,065
Only $1,035 more than a single applicant, since most fees are per family, not per person
The larger your family, the more cost-effective the investment becomes. For example, the same total applies whether you're filing with your spouse and 2 children or 4 children, as long as all dependents are eligible (children must be under 21 years old when filing the DS-260 petition).
Here's when you'll need to pay each component:
Milestone 1 – At Investment
$880,000 (investment + regional center fee)
Approximately 50% of legal fees
Milestone 2 – When Filing I-526E
$12,160 I-526E petition fee (per family)
Milestone 3 – After I-526E Approval
$345 per person for DS-260 (immigrant visa processing)
Milestone 4 – Two Years After Receiving COnditional Green Cards
Remaining 50% of legal fees
$9,525 I-829 petition fee (to remove green card conditions)
This typically occurs around 3.5 years from your initial application
Your True Net Cost
Once your $800,000 investment is returned (approximately 3-3.5 years), your actual net cost for a family of four applying from outside the US would be $128,065.
This represents the total cost of legal fees, regional center fees, and all government filing fees, essentially the price of obtaining permanent US residency for your entire family.
Additional Costs for US-Based Applicants
For applicants who are applying from inside the US, please consider that you have additional government fees to add to your cost structure, such as the I-485 adjustment of status, per individual in your family over the age of 14, $260 per person for the I-765 work authorization, and $630 per person, for the I-131 advance parole filing, which allows the applicants to travel outside the USA and re-enter without abandoning their pending green card application.
Why Work With Us?
Regional center administrative fees typically range from $50,000 to $80,000 depending on the project and negotiation. We work to secure the most competitive rates for our clients.
Our Value to You: When you retain our office for your EB-5 application, we offer a cash rebate on our legal fees, reducing your overall cost.
To take advantage of this special pricing, mention "EB5-REBATE" when you reach out to our office. This ensures you receive our reduced EB-5 fee structure for your family.
The Moxy Atlanta project is just one of many opportunities we're tracking right now. With new EB-5 projects launching regularly, it's crucial to have expert analysis to separate the strong investments from the risky ones.
If you want to start your EB-5 journey, reach out to our office for a detailed assesstment.
