USCIS-Approved EB-5 Regional Centers: Search & Verify

There are 640+ USCIS-approved regional centers. Learn how to search the official list, verify approval status, and start evaluating projects.

Parent guide: EB-5 Regional Center Program: Complete Investor Guide (2026)

Quick takeaway: “USCIS-approved” doesn’t automatically mean “safe”

USCIS approval means USCIS has designated the entity as a regional center and allowed it to sponsor EB-5 projects within certain geographic areas and industry categories. It does not mean:

- USCIS has “approved” the investment returns

- the project will succeed financially

- your green card is guaranteed

You still need to evaluate the offering, job creation plan, timelines, and compliance—ideally with an experienced EB-5 immigration attorney and qualified financial/tax advisors.

How to find the official USCIS regional center list (step-by-step)

USCIS publishes the official directory of designated regional centers. You can use it to confirm whether a regional center is (or was) designated by USCIS.

### Step 1: Go to the USCIS EB-5 Regional Center page

USCIS maintains an “EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program” section that includes a directory (often a downloadable spreadsheet or searchable page).

What to look for on the USCIS site:

- “Regional Center” or “Designated Regional Centers” directory

- download links (Excel/CSV/PDF, depending on USCIS updates)

What USCIS “regional center approval” means in 2026

A USCIS-designated regional center is an organization approved to sponsor EB-5 projects and to count indirect jobs (jobs created through economic activity) using accepted economic models, in addition to direct jobs.

Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), regional centers must also meet integrity and compliance rules, including:

- ongoing reporting requirements

- fund administration and transparency expectations (often implemented through third-party fund administrators)

- disclosures and recordkeeping

- policies to prevent fraud and misrepresentation

About how many approved regional centers exist?

As of recent USCIS reporting and industry tracking, there are roughly ~640 designated regional centers nationally (the exact number can move as USCIS terminates, reinstates, or redesignates entities and as some elect to stop operating).

Because counts fluctuate, treat any “complete 2026 list” you see online as a snapshot. Always verify directly on the USCIS directory and confirm the specific project approvals (more on that below).

Approved EB-5 regional centers by state: what the distribution tells you

Regional centers are not evenly distributed. They tend to cluster where EB-5 deal flow has historically been strongest:

- large metro areas with consistent development pipelines

- states with established EB-5 industry networks

- markets that attract international capital (gateway cities and fast-growth regions)

This is why investors frequently search for “approved EB-5 regional centers by state”—location often affects project types, construction timelines, job creation strategies, and exit options.

### States that typically have more regional centers

What to look for when reviewing an EB-5 regional center directory

A directory is a starting point. Here’s how sophisticated investors use it.

### 1) Legal name match (avoid “brand confusion”)

Offering documents may use a project brand, developer brand, or fund name that differs from the regional center’s USCIS-listed name. Confirm:

- the regional center’s legal entity name

- the relationship between the RC and the project sponsor/developer

- whether the RC is sponsoring your specific project (not just “affiliated”)

Approved regional center vs. I-956F approved project: the difference that matters

Many investors confuse “regional center approved” with “project approved.” Under today’s rules, they are different.

### USCIS regional center designation

A regional center can be designated (on the USCIS list) but still have:

- no active projects

- projects that are not compliant with current RIA expectations

- projects that have not been filed for pre-approval

How to verify a regional center’s current approval status

Because the EB-5 market is dynamic, verification should be multi-step.

### Step 1: Check the USCIS directory

Confirm the regional center appears on the most current USCIS list.

### Step 2: Look for termination or compliance issues

USCIS may publish notices or updates. Also ask the regional center directly for:

- confirmation of active designation

FAQs

How many USCIS-approved regional centers are there?

There are approximately ~640 USCIS-designated regional centers nationwide, but the number changes as USCIS updates designations, terminations, and reinstatements. Always confirm using the latest official USCIS regional center directory.

Where can I find the official list of EB-5 regional centers?

The official USCIS regional center list is published on the USCIS website within the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program pages (as a directory or downloadable file). Use it as your primary source, then verify the specific project’s sponsorship and I-956F status separately.

What states have the most EB-5 regional centers?

The largest concentrations are typically in high-development, high-population states such as California, Florida, New York, and Texas, with other major markets often close behind (for example, Washington, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts). Rankings can shift over time, so use an up-to-date directory or our regional center map to confirm current distribution.