Opportunities:

  • For petitions filed on or after March 15, 2022, the required investment for EB5 purposes is $1,050,000 for a regular project or $800,000 for a TEA (including Rural and High Unemployment Areas) or Infrastructure project, and will automatically increase on January 1, 2027, and every 5 years thereafter. By January 1, 2027, these amounts are estimated to be approximately $1,300,000 and $1,000,000 respectively.
  • For petitions filed on or after March 15, 2022, investors who invest in a TEA or infrastructure project can file I-526 and I-485 concurrently and, as a result, can stay in the United States to wait for the result of the I-526 and I-485 adjudication. Annually, there are 20%, 10% and 2% of 10,000 EB-5 visas set aside for projects in Rural, High Unemployment areas and Infrastructure projects.
  • Investment in regional centers allows for a less restrictive job creation requirement, with USCIS accepting “indirect” jobs, or employment opportunities arising ancillary to the investment.
  • Each year, a maximum of 10,000 EB-5 visas are allocated to eligible intending immigrants. Of the 10,000 EB-5 visas allocated annually, 3,000 are reserved for TEAs, and 3,000 are reserved for regional centers.
  • Currently there is no visa backlog for EB5 TEA and Infrastructure projects worldwide including aliens born in mainland China and India, meaning that investors and their family members can file adjustment of status applications as the same time as their Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur is filed.
  • There is no requirement for permanent job offer under EB2 or EB3 but the investors are required to have active management roles in the Newly Created Enterprise as regularly expected according to the any incorporation document and such active management is not restricted to limited partnership; Neither is there requirement of maintaining a home-country business, which is a component of the EB-1C visa; nor is there any specific criteria dictating minimum levels of education, experience, achievements, or income, such as EB1 or EB2. For those intending immigrants with both the financial resources and the tolerance required for any high-risk investment, the EB-5 visa program offers a streamlined and efficient niche in the U.S. immigration system.
  • USCIS has not defined any age requirements for the EB-5 category. Instead, restrictions are essentially a function of the state where the enterprise will be located, since some states require people to be of a certain age to enter into certain contracts. Further, many EB-5 regional centers welcome investors of all ages. Investment fund can be gifted.

Challenges:

  • In I-526, the applicant must demonstrate that the newly created enterprise will employ at least 10 additional full-time U.S. workers no later than two years and a half after USCIS adjudicates the Form I-526 (from 6 months of USCIS adjudication to 2 years thereafter).
  • With the I-526 approval, the investor and his/her qualifying family members will be granted conditional permanent resident status for a two-year period. Towards the end of the 2-year conditional residency, the applicant must submit Form I-829 with supporting evidence to show that the enterprise created 10 full-time jobs within at most 3 years of the underlying I-526-based I-485 approval.
  • USCIS strictly scrutinizes sources of fund to be invested into the NCE. Therefore, all transactions must be carefully documented.
  • With the newly published final rule, the minimum investment amount for EB-5 has increased to $1,050,000 for standard projects and $800,000 for projects located in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs). This represents a significant financial commitment for potential investors. To qualify as an investment, the funds must be placed “at risk” with the goal of generating a return.

The Services We Offer:

  • Effectively and proactively communicate with you from the start of your case, working closely with you throughout the entire application process. Establish your eligibility under the EB-5 category, as well as the eligibility of any derivative beneficiaries you bring with you.
  • Draft or review corporate documents of the NCE to make sure the project and investment in compliance with EB5 regulation and other state or federal law, such as security law if applicable.
  • Draft highly detailed business plans to show at least 10 full-time jobs will be created within 2 years and that the NCE will generate sufficient income to support these employees.
  • Guide you through the document gathering process to show source of fund to support the investment capital was obtained through lawful means.
  • Consolidate your application materials into a petition package, which will include an expertly written petition letter that persuasively argues why you merit an EB-5 visa.
  • Pre-submission due diligence and checking to ensure consistency among documents.
  • In the event USCIS makes a request for additional evidence on your pending case, we will respond to that request promptly, submitting the additional documentation required within the timeframe stipulated.