The Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division at the U.S. Department of State, Charles Oppenheim, recently shared the expected projections for monthly and annual visa demand and Visa Bulletin projections regarding family and employment based green cards. It is important to note that these projections may be subject…
Since the year 1990, USCIS has administered the Immigrant Investor Program, better known as ‘EB-5’. The program was first launched by Congress with the goal of expanding the U.S. economy by encouraging job creation and capital investment through foreign investment. It has now become known for its Regional Center pilot…
By Yingfei Zhou, Esq. Q: How can I apply for EB-5 visa? A: There are two requirements on foreign investors seeking a green card. First, you must invest sufficient funds in an approved project of your choice. Second, ten new full-time jobs must be created as a direct result of…
On December 3, 2012, USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas held a public engagement on the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. Director Mayorkas provided updates on creation of the separate office for administration of EB-5 Immigrant Investor program. The EB-5 program has spurred the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs and…
Permanent resident status based on EB-5 eligibility is available to investors, either alone or coming with their spouse and unmarried children. Eligible aliens are those who have invested — or are actively in the process of investing — the required amount of capital into a new commercial enterprise. They must…
Many of our Blog visitors are often asking about the EB5 program, How can I apply? How much does it cost, How Fast?. In this post let us look at the basics of this program. This is in part from a study by the Carlson Consulting Enterprise from Minnesota. The…
We are happy to share USCIS performance data containing statistical information on immigrant petitions by alien entrepreneur and petitions by entrepreneur to remove conditions. The number of cases received, approved and denied for through the fourth quarter of FY2012. These petitions are filed under the fifth employment-based preference category (EB-5)…
USCIS has recently published Questions & Answers on EB-5 Economic Methodologies. This Q&A document prepared by two USCIS economists came after a 6/22/12 public engagement where stakeholders sought clarification on issues related to hotel/resort development & acquiring real estate related to EB-5 program. Two of the primary questions raised at…
Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin drew public ire last month following the revelation that he had renounced his U.S. citizenship, a move widely seen as a tax dodge. But thousands of wealthy foreigners are lining up to replace him, making investments here and putting themselves on a path to citizenship in…
Recently USCIS provided EB-5 statistics provided for a stakeholder engagement meetig, including information on service-wide receipts, approvals, and denials of I-526s and I-829s; the number of approved EB5 Regional Centers by fiscal year. The statistics reveal an increase across the board in all EB-5 related filings including I-924 applications for…