Milan from India

I interviewed a couple of attorneys. And the thing I was looking for is, “Who is experienced in [the] EB-5 process and can answer my questions quickly? [Who] can understand my particular position (that), how I’m going to source the funds and all that?” And so, that is what I was looking for.

And then, I also talked with Siddharth [a previous investor in the Twin Lakes project] and he suggested Anahita. Working with her was flawless. She answered each and every questions and was not like an attorney, but she helped me a lot, like a friend. She was very quick in responding each and every question I had, explained in detail; (that) how it works and what are the drawbacks if we follow some other way or this way. Because it’s a very complex process, you don’t know many things, so she was very helpful in that way, preparing the documents, submitting it. It was flawless.

The first thing is like, “How am I going to secure those funds?” That is when I started talking with Anahita. I discussed my plan with her, she helped me on that, what I needed for the source of funds documentation and everything. So, I started, I think, around April in 2023, and it took almost one month, until I got the source [of funds] and started the documentation. And she explained how it works, what documentation I need and very minute things, like I needed to keep everything on record, in the same checking accounts, and how we were going to show the history and everything.

Yeah.

Yeah. It was instant approval. The only RFE I got just asked for photographs and nothing else. Everything else was fine. Perfect.

The thought process was, while investing this big amount, you want a trustworthy source [so] that everything goes well and you don’t miss anything that you don’t know. You cannot afford missing anything, so research is very important. And that’s why I came to EB5AN website and go through all the EB-5 processes. That helps understand the process and give you a trust that, “Yeah. It is going to work.” So, in particular, the EB5AN website: the main thing I like is [its] transparency about the processes, all the project’s financial statements and everything.

Those information is very helpful, while understanding that this regional center is doing great, you can trust them, and it’s professional. Then, the testimonials and detailed information on the website about the project and financial statements about the project, what the progress has made, what type of loans project already has and what they’re going to use. EB5AN, as a part of that project. So, those (all) things were very helpful in deciding the project [to invest in].

That was after COVID time, and the market was like, no one knows which way it’ll go. So, then, I was looking through the projects and I feel like the single-family homes were still in high demand.

That’s how I came to the Twin Lakes project and then found that the Kolter Group was developing it. Kolter’s a very good builder, with a good financial condition and experience, so that is what I liked the most about them. And the other thing is that Twin Lakes is a rural project, so that matches with the TEA [category] and the amount I can invest.

Another thing I looked at, at the time, was the Twin Lakes has the loan repayment guarantee. That is very helpful, to reduce the risk, while you are investing this big amount for EB-5.

Rural area, it has a set amount of set-aside [visas]. I think it’s 20%, right? So, I always faced a… On H-1B Green Card, there is always a backlog. And if it happens with EB-5, then you already have invested the money; you are in the processand you cannot come out of that process.

That’s why it’s very good that if the process goes all fine, you are going to get the Green Card on time. So, there is no waiting time. That’s why I went for the [rural] TEA.

It was also a very important part. Every investor needs at least 10 jobs creation. And Twin Lakes had way more jobs than—I think it was around 43 per investor—at the time when I invested. So, that was also very comforting, that the jobs were already created. So, when USCIS looks at your petition, they don’t need to worry about whether the jobs are there or not. It’s way more than what is required.

The financial [aspect] is the main part of it, because Twin Lakes’ [capital structure] has around 16% of EB-5 investment and everything else is secured by the bank loans. That was the part that you can trust that the project it going to happen, regardless of the EB-5 investment. And that’s how, though your money is at risk, but it is still safe. There are good chances that it won’t fail or it won’t hurt the process of EB-5.

I’m planning to visit it. I still haven’t still got a chance to visit the project yet.

Most of the things I got from the website. And, if I had any questions, then I was getting very quick replies. I also talked to Ahmed [Khan, a VP at EB5AN] about a few of my questions and you guys were also very helpful, on-spot replies, for any questions. And that is very important when investing in EB-5.

The main thing is, first of all, to understand the EB-5 process, because when you are on an H-1B, you don’t know anything about it except the name. So, go through the process to understand it and compare it very well. Go with a regional center where it gives you more information, that is transparent and you have a good feeling about. You don’t know the topics, but then you will have all the details that you can understand. So, those are the two things that I would suggest as good thing to start with an EB-5 investment.

I would rate 100 out of a 100 for both EB5AN and Anahita. Without them, EB5AN and Anahita, I was expecting it to be very difficult process with a lot of roadblocks—but it was very smooth.

First of all, it was a very stress-relieving thing. And the main thing is, while you are on an H-1B, you are tied to an employer and you can only have one job. Going ahead and planning to do consulting—that is the main thing. And that has an economic benefit, as well as more freedom.