TOP EB-5 INDUSTRY RISING STARS
VISHAL K. CHHABRIA
CHHABRIA LAW LLC | ATTORNEY
Vishal K. Chhabria focuses
on immigration and business
law. In immigration, Chhabria
s p e c i a l i ze s i n i n ve s t m e n t
migration. With of f ices in
Chicago, Dubai, Mumbai
and Ahmedabad (India), Chhabria travels often to grow
and strengthen relationships with clients and industry
professionals. Having well trained, customer-focused legal
assistants in three countries, he is able to quickly follow up
and advise clients, building meaningful relationships with
immigrant investors, EB-5 developers and clients from a
wide spectrum of immigration and business law matters.
With an energetic and modern approach, Chhabria is proud
to embrace technology and best practices to provide
clients with a seamless and worry-free legal experience.
WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING
IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
Over the past two to three years, there has been a major shift
in EB-5 interest stemming from South Asia, primarily India.
Whereas five years ago EB-5 industry professionals would
have to work extra hard to simply inform and educate
potential EB-5 developers and investors alike, today every
leading daily in India, for example, carries EB-5
advertisements and EB-5 articles related to everything from
continuing resolutions in the U.S. Congress to EB-5 investor
statistics, and even costs associated with I-526 submissions.
The EB-5 marketplace has matured greatly in advanced
markets such as the UAE, and potential investors have
innumerable options.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED
IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
During my first two years in the EB-5 industry, I focused on
developer representation. Working with regional centers on
compliance matters, building approvable projects, drafting
offering documents, and closely working with business plan
writers and economists, I developed a strong sense of how
developers in particular industries such as I.T. and hospitality
must structure their projects to meet EB-5 standards. When
representing individual investor clients now, I am able to
leverage existing developer-client relationships to offer the
best possible client-centric I-526 package, with terms and
conditions built for today’s EB-5 investor.
KRISTI QUYNH NGO
SKT LAW | IMMIGRATION PRACTICE GROUP ATTORNEY/MANAGER
K risti Quynh Ngo manages
the immigration practice
g r o u p o f S K T L a w, a f u l l -
service law firm with offices
in Califor nia , V ie tnam , the
Philippines and Hong Kong.
She specializes in EB-5 investments, various employment-
based visa categories, and family-based immigration
matters. Ngo represents foreign investors in obtaining U.S.
permanent residency through regional center and direct
EB-5 investment. She also advises businesses on regional
center formation and ensures project compliance with EB-5
regulations. Ngo earned her bachelor’s degree from the
University of California, Irvine and her Juris Doctor from
Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law. She is
fluent in Vietnamese.
WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING
IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
There is an increase in interest in major EB-5 markets, such
as Vietnam, India and Brazil, because investors are
concerned about their country’s current or anticipated visa
retrogression. Many investors wish to avoid being at the
end of a long, practically immobile line, like we see with
China. However, the uncertainty surrounding the EB-5
program, resulting from Congress’ short-term spending
bills, continue to deter many investors. We are at a critical
point in EB-5, as regulation changes to minimum investment
amounts and qualifications for TEA designation are
imminent and clarity on issues like redeployment are
seriously needed.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED
IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
My family immigrated from Vietnam as refugees when I was
a toddler, so I have personally witnessed the struggles
immigrant parents endure to provide better futures for their
children. Immigration practice felt like a natural fit when I
initially entered the legal field. My involvement in EB-5 came
more by chance, but I find this practice enlightening and
fulfilling. The drive to support their families resonates
strongly among investors, and I get to participate in a
program that serves to stimulate the U.S. economy.
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