USCIS Proposes Major Changes to the EB-5 Investor Program

Last week, in a press release, USCIS announced a number of significant enhancements to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program.  Note that these are proposed changes which are expected to be published on June 17th for public comment and possible implementation at a later date.

About the EB-5 Program

In 1990, the U.S. Congress created the fifth employment-based preference category (EB-5) for qualified foreign entrepreneurs seeking to invest in a business that will benefit the U.S. economy and create or save at least 10 full-time jobs. The basic amount required to invest is $1 million, although that amount is reduced to $500,000 if the investment is made in a rural or high unemployment area.  Of the approximately 10,000 EB-5 green cards available each year, 3,000 are reserved for foreign nationals who invest through a Regional Center.

A Regional Center is a private enterprise or corporation or a regional governmental agency with a targeted investment program within a specific region.   The Regional Center Investment Program allocates 3,000 green cards each year for people who invest in designated Regional Centers.  The program does not require that the foreign investor’s enterprise itself directly employ 10 U.S. workers.  Instead, it is enough if 10 or more jobs will be created directly or indirectly as a result of the investment. As a result, he Regional Center Investment Program aids foreign investors by directing and professionally managing their investment in the designated business and geographic focus of their Regional Center.

The Proposed EB-5 Changes

First, USCIS proposes to accelerate its processing of applications for job-creating projects that are fully developed and ready to be implemented.  USCIS will also give these EB-5 applicants and petitioners the option to request Premium Processing Service, which guarantees processing within 15 calendar days for an additional fee of  ($1,225).

Second, USCIS proposes the creation of new specialized intake teams with expertise in economic analysis and the EB-5 Program requirements. EB-5 Regional Center applicants will be able to communicate directly with the specialized intake teams via e-mail to streamline the resolution of issues and quickly address questions or needs related to their applications.

Third, USCIS proposes to convene an expert Decision Board to render decisions regarding EB-5 Regional Center applications. The Decision Board will be composed of an economist and adjudicators and will be supported by legal counsel.

Conclusion

We welcome these changes to the EB-5 program as they seek to make the program more investor-friendly and transparent.   However, especially in times when job-creation by foreign investors should be a priority, these changes are a good step forward which we expect to be followed by more proposed changes to make the program more transparent and investor friendly.   Please feel free to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter for additional updates on this and related topics.