A Regional Center such as those represented by Investment Company of America, LLC (ICA) are specific companies formed to create targeted investment programs within designated geographic areas. The Regional Center company sponsors different EB-5 approved projects within the Regional Center. The EB-5 visa applicant invests money in a specific project. It is the Project, not the Regional Center, which USCIS is approving when the Investor files his or her I-526 petition. The EB-5 applicant is an Investor in a project sponsored by the approved Regional Center where the project will create at least 10 jobs per Investor/applicant.

By using the EB-5 Regional Center program an immigrant investor puts money into the project ($500,000 for ICA affiliated projects) for job creation purposes. Unlike other immigration job creation visa programs, the EB-5 Regional Center investment does not require the Investor to actively manage the project or the creation of the jobs. Rather, the Investor can let the manager of the project create the jobs by putting to work the initial investment.