Introducing EB-5 Unplugged!
Hosted by Shai Zamanian, director of The American Legal Center in Dubai, this podcast goes beyond the basics of the EB-5 investor visa. Each episode brings you real conversations with industry experts, experienced lawyers, and investors who’ve walked the path themselves unpacking everything from investment structures and regional center strategies to common pitfalls that lead to petition denials.
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In this episode, Shai Zamanian explores why most EB-5 Regional Center projects are tied to real estate. From construction and job creation to financing and repayment, he breaks down the economics behind real estate's dominance in the EB-5 market. He also explains why real estate does not automatically mean a lower-risk investment and the key factors investors should look at when evaluating a project.
17 Aug 2026
EB-5 Questions from the Region: Understanding the September 30 Deadline
In this episode, Shai Zamanian breaks down one of the biggest questions investors are asking right now: Should you be worried about the September 30 EB-5 deadline? He explains what the deadline actually means, why it does not signal the end of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, and how the grandfathering protections introduced under the Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) affect investors who file before September 30, 2026. Drawing on what happened during the 2021 Regional Center lapse, Shai explores what waiting could mean, how future investment amounts could change, and why making decisions based on accurate information, not online speculation, is more important than ever.
8 Jun 2026
EB-5 Adjustment of Status: Key Update
In this episode, Shai Zamanian explores the growing debate surrounding the Adjustment of Status for EB-5 investors already living in the United States. As questions emerge about potential changes to green card processing, he breaks down what the Adjustment of Status is, why it has become a key advantage of the EB-5 program, and what recent developments could mean for current and prospective investors.
1 Jun 2026
EB-5 Benefits for Families
In this episode, Shai shares his personal story and his experience advising families in Dubai to answer one question: why do 85% of EB-5 clients invest for their children's education? He breaks down the financial advantages a US green card unlocks, from reduced university tuition and government grants to zero-percent subsidized loans and work opportunities. This episode makes one thing clear: the question isn't whether you can afford it, it's whether you can afford to wait.
25 May 2026
2026-2027 EB-5 Deadlines Explained
In this episode, Shai is joined by Silu, a U.S.-licensed lawyer at, to break down the background of the Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) introduced in March 2022, the significance of the September 30, 2026 grandfathering deadline, the expected announcement of the EB-5 investment amount increase in January 2027, and the current program authorization ending on September 30, 2027. Together, they unpack what these milestones mean for investors and why waiting too long could impact future opportunities.
4 May 2026
The Most Common EB-5 Misconceptions in the Age of AI
In this episode, Shai is joined by Silu, a U.S.-licensed lawyer at the American Legal Center, to discuss the growing role of AI in client decision-making. They explore how clients are increasingly relying on AI for information that is often conflicting, inaccurate, or misleading, and how this is impacting complex legal processes like EB-5. From real client interactions to common misconceptions, they break down why AI-generated answers aren’t always reliable, and why human expertise still matters more than ever.
30 Mar 2026
From Application to Approval: Jay's EB-5 Story
In this episode, Shai sits down with Jay, a real EB-5 investor and client of the American Legal Center, for an honest look at what the process actually feels like from the inside. Jay walks us through his personal journey — the strategies that worked, including why naming his wife as the primary applicant was one of his smartest moves, what no one tells you about the visa interview until you're sitting in that chair, and why having the right team in your corner makes all the difference when it matters most.
23 Mar 2026
EB-5 Regional Centers: How to Pick the Right One
In this episode, Shai sits down with Brian Oster, President of EB-5 Capital, and Haya for an inside look at one of the most established regional centers in the EB-5 space. Brian brings 15 years of real estate and EB-5 experience to the conversation. Episode breaks down what separates the best regional centers from the rest, and what red flags to watch for. Brian takes us back to the wild early days of EB-5, when over 80% of all applications came from a single country - China, and what that history means for GCC investors navigating the program today. If you're evaluating regional centers, this episode is your shortcut.
16 Mar 2026
The Real Estate Roots of EB-5: Angelique Brunner’s Story
In this episode, Shai Zamanian sits down with Angelique Brunner, Founder and CEO of EB-5 Capital, to discuss her journey from real estate finance into becoming one of the most recognized leaders in the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.
With more than three decades of experience in capital markets and development, Angelique shares how her early work in real estate and project financing led her to the EB-5 industry in the late 2000s. They explore how investor capital supports large-scale development, and how the EB-5 program has evolved over the years.
9 Mar 2026
EB-5 Demand in GCC Amid the Iran Conflict
Recorded from Dubai, one week into Iran's ballistic missile attacks on the UAE, Shai Zamanian gives GCC investors an honest ground-level reality check. How serious is the situation? What does regional instability mean for your path to the US? And why EB-5 applications are expected to spike during these uncertain times.
2 Mar 2026
EB-5 & Russian Nationals: What Investors Need to Know
In this episode, Kate Kalmykov joins Shai to discuss the unique considerations for Russian nationals applying under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. From source of funds challenges to geopolitical sensitivities and compliance risks, they explore how nationality can impact the process.
Kate also shares insights shaped by her own Russian heritage, offering context on cultural, legal, and practical factors investors should understand when navigating the EB-5 category.
23 Feb 2026
Let’s Keep It Real: Why EB-5 Petitions Get Rejected
In this episode, Kate Kalmykov from GT and Shai join the conversation for an honest look at why EB-5 petitions get denied. From source of funds issues to project compliance problems and documentation mistakes, they break down the most common reasons cases fall apart under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. No sugarcoating, just real insights into where investors and advisors go wrong and how to avoid the same pitfalls.
16 Feb 2026
EB-5 101: The Basics of Investment Immigration
Welcome to the very first episode of EB-5 Unplugged. In this intro, Shai Zamanian, Director of The American Legal Center, explains how the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program works and what it takes to qualify for a U.S. Green Card through investment.
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