USCIS Approved EB5 Regional Centers for Immigrant Investor to Apply for United States Citizenship

By creating the EB-5 Regional Centers in 1992, Congress established an innovative program to stimulate economic growth and job creation across the United States. This entrepreneurial initiative provides a unique opportunity for immigrant investors to support development projects throughout our country – offering their cash investments to be put back into U.S.-based companies with approval from USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services).

As such, this investment towards American prosperity is both beneficial for businesses nationwide as well as offers immigrants an impactful pathway of contributing positively towards society.

The EB 5 investor visa is an opportunity for foreign investors and their families to obtain permanent legal status in the United States. All that’s needed? The investment of at least $800,000 towards a new business endeavor located within certain employment areas with plans to employ 10 American citizens full-time!

EB-5 Regional Center: Definition & History

Regional centers are governmental entities approved and regulated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. EB 5 regional center allow New Commercial Enterprises (CEEs) in the US to combine the foreign investment of several investment firms in an integrated project.

The NCO is either a public or private company. In 1992 Congress created the Regional Center Program based upon immigrants’ investor program. It was two years before the first federal EB-5 visas were issued for immigrants who promise to promote economic growth by opening a new commercial enterprise & job creation.

Direct vs. Regional Center EB-5 Investments

The Green Card will allow foreign investors who are investing in the United States if their investments in the United States do not exceed the minimum requirement of the EB-5 program and the green card. EB5 investors have two investment options for these criteria.

Direct investments

For those looking to put their money into a business that creates jobs, the emergence of direct investments has opened up exciting possibilities. No longer do you need to go through an owner-operated franchise – now investment can be made into companies with established concepts and goals, allowing them to grow without spreading out ownership too thinly. This model is set for more expansion after June 30 2021 when the Regional Center Program reaches its expiration date!

Regional Center EB-5 Investments

What is the EB-5 Regional Center Securities Compliance?

All regional and project sites must adhere to federal securities laws. These laws serve as a way to prevent unjustified and unprofessional securities sale practices. Securities under the 1933 U.S. Securities Act include stock notes & bonds and direct investment programs as well as investment contracts. Securities are regulated by the SEC and are issued by the SEC. The EB5 Regional Center has 4 security compliance requirements;

Registering Securities– The EB-5 program offers the potential for a lucrative financial success, yet navigating through its registration process is no easy feat. From costly disclosures to meeting USCIS’s stringent timeline requirements, coupled with additional state regulations – it can be an incredibly challenging and time-consuming obstacle course that may leave investors feeling completely drained from their journey towards achieving this investment goal.

Regulation D Exemptions– Regulation D provides a unique opportunity for high-net worth individuals to invest in the EB 5 securities offerings of regional centers. The related private placement memorandum contains important information and disclosures pertaining to the offering, which is open only to accredited investors with at least $1 million net worth or income over $200k/$300k (single/married filers) for last two years. Each investor will have sign an attestation indicating that they meet these requirements before investing.

Securities Laws and EB5 Solicitation– Regional centers and sponsored initiatives seeking EB-5 investors can’t openly market or advertise according to Regulation D, but the SEC has not laid out how this applies. While investment details are off limits for advertising, general information may be shared in a way that does not reference specific info about an offering.

Broker-Dealers and the EB-5 Program– Broker-dealers are a vital part of the 1934 Securities and Exchange Act, connecting EB5 projects with investors. These entities may be individuals, companies or other organizations that must adhere to strict regulations set forth by both the SEC and relevant government securities regulators – including regional centers, migration agents, advertisers and others who facilitate these investments between buyers & sellers.

Direct vs. Regional Center Investment Job Creation Criteria

Investors who have invested directly will have no job requirements to create 10 permanent job opportunities for US workers. Direct jobs are referred to the work in the commercial sector. Investor’s direct employment numbers must be confirmed in the payrolls of the business.

Generally new businesses create comparatively few jobs permanently full time. In contrast to investment at regional centers, investors may count indirectly created jobs in a 10-year plan to meet the 10-job requirements.

Regional center investors can make an even greater economic impact than they realize–not only through direct job creation, but also by stimulating growth in related industries and providing a boost to the local economy from increased spending.

What Are the Benefits of Establishing a Regional Center?

EB-5 investor funding is a key advantage of creating a regional centre. Because there is more flexibility in the requirements for jobs for foreign investors in regional centers, the investment often attracts multiple EB-5 visa applicants.

Consequently, project developers are able to access low cost capital, creating an attractive environment for investment, project developers and communities.

Easy loans for job creating entity
Promoting economic growth
Improved regional productivity
Less Unemployment

USCIS-Approved Regional Centers: Approval is not Endorsement

The United States Department of State is currently accepting 721 centers of interest. Investors must be mindful of the restrictions on approval by the United States government regarding the regional center. The EB-5 approval by USCS is based on no USCIS approval of the regional centers. It also minimizes investment risks.

Here are some lists of USCIS approved regional centers;

Alabama
California
Virginia
Washington
Utah
Colorado
Texas
New York
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois

Those interested in investing should seek professional advice. We at EB 5 River Oak helping immigrants and commercial enterprise with regional center investment for EB 5 programs.

Call us today!

Processing Time for EB5 Investor Program Post Expiry Extended by USCIS for 48 Months

On January 11 and 25, 2023 respectively, the USCIS granted a massive benefit to those who had filed Form I-829 or I-751 – they extended the validity of their permanent resident cards by up to 48 months beyond expiration. This long overdue change will go a long way towards making life easier for many green card holders in America!

What is the EB-5 Investor Program?

EB-5 immigrant investor program allows foreign investors, family members, parents or their children to become legal residents of the U.S. if they: A foreigner who wants to work with the government in the country must spend a minimum of $800k in targeted job areas or $1.0 million in another commercial company to qualify. The EB-5 Visa Program is a federal program which helps attract foreign investors and create jobs through their increase in domestic capital.

Extensions for Green Card Investors

In an effort to combat prolonged processing times for Form I-751 and Form I-829 filings, The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has modified language on corresponding receipt notices. This change in protocol elicited a variety of reactions from members of the EB-5 community: some elated at improved wait time estimations while others remain weary over its potential implications.

USCIS announced they would be issuing new receipt notices to conditional green card with pending cases that have received shorter extensions. These updated receipts, along with an expired Green Card, will allow petitioners the ability to remain in a legal status while their case is being processed—authorizing them work and travel for up to four years after expiration!

Foreign investors attempting to secure I-829 status face an uphill battle, with countless twists and turns. For some the frustration is heightened in cases of job termination or when traveling abroad – a nightmare scenario for many!

EB-5 Green Card Processing Time

If you have a condition permanent resident status and plan to abroad outside the United States, it is essential that you apply for a reentry permit by filing immigrant petition Form I-141. This can easily be done by filing Form I-141 before leaving the United States – just make sure not to miss this step!

With 48 months of processing time for eb5 investor program, an EB-5 investor and their dependents can rest assured that they won’t need to make a trip to the local USCIS field office for any extensions. The I-829 petition will be adjudicated in plenty of time!

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processing times for visas are constantly in flux due to the amount of applications that come through. Despite being established nearly three decades ago, it was not until 2017, 2018 & 2019 when the EB 5 Visa Green Card program saw a surge in popularity as more immigrants sought permanent resident status within America’s borders.

Country of Chargeability

Country of chargeability is an essential element of the immigration process. It is key to determining the visa category that a person qualifies for based on how long they have lived in a particular country or region. The country assigned to each case serves as a marker in determining when a person is eligible to apply for immigration, as well as which steps must be taken in order to successfully gain admission into the U.S.

Additionally, it can affect whether or not an individual might qualify for certain status-related benefits, such as indefinite stays or open work authorization rights. To ensure the most accurate answers and timely processing times, it is important to know the laws and regulations concerning the assignment of countries of chargeability for each immigration filing.

Processing time for united states citizenship will depend upon following factors;

Filing the petition.
Waiting for the priority date (determined by country) to be current.
Adjustment of status/going through consular processing.

Great News for the Visa Applicants with Pending I-751 or I-829 Petitions

USCIS is granting extended validity to Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) of those who properly file their Form I-751 and I-829 petitions. This will allow cardholders an additional four years in the United States beyond the expiration date listed on their cards!

If you need any help regarding EB 5 visa investments, we are here to help you! We can assist you with the right financial investment guidance for permanent residency in U.S.