Current Administration Proposes Significant Changes to EB-5 Program

  Yesterday, the Obama administration announced potential changes that could significantly impact the EB-5 investor visa program.  The EB-5 investor visa was originally established by Congress in 1990 to attract foreign investment and stimulate the economy in hopes of spurring job creation in the United States.

 

Ramos_Maria
Maria del Carmen Ramos

Yesterday, the Obama administration announced potential changes that could significantly impact the EB-5 investor visa program.  The EB-5 investor visa was originally established by Congress in 1990 to attract foreign investment and stimulate the economy in hopes of spurring job creation in the United States. Continue reading “Current Administration Proposes Significant Changes to EB-5 Program”

EB-5 Legislative Update

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

Earlier this year, bipartisan legislation was introduced that would permanently authorize the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Pilot Program. Rather than pass the legislation, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution that included a provision to the extend the EB-5 program “as is” through December 11, 2015. Continue reading “EB-5 Legislative Update”

EB-5 Regional Center Annual Reports are Due by December 29, 2015

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

During its most recent stakeholders teleconference, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) reminded participants that regional center reports for 2015 Fiscal Year were due on October 1, 2015, and must be filed by no later than December 29, 2015. USCIS recommended that regional centers complete all fields on Form I-924A, and timely file the required reports. Continue reading “EB-5 Regional Center Annual Reports are Due by December 29, 2015”

National Visa Center Experiencing Glitch in Processing of Chinese EB-5 Immigrant Visa Applications

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

The National Visa Center (NVC) recently informed the American Immigration Lawyers Association that appointment notices for Chinese EB-5 applications may indicate that applicants must bring original documents, even if NVC already had original documents. Continue reading “National Visa Center Experiencing Glitch in Processing of Chinese EB-5 Immigrant Visa Applications”

Bipartisan Legislation Seeks to Make the EB-5 Program Permanent

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

Bipartisan legislation? Does such a thing exist anymore? Well, on January 28, 2015, Congressmen Jared Polis (D-CO) and Mark Amodei (R-NV) introduced The American Entrepreneurship & Investment Act of 2015 in an effort to permanently authorize the EB-5 Immigrant Investor visa program, which is now set to expire on September 30, 2015. Continue reading “Bipartisan Legislation Seeks to Make the EB-5 Program Permanent”

Top Twelve EB-5 Countries by US Immigrant Visa Issuance

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

According to the U.S. Department of States’ Report of the Visa Office 2014, below following is a ranking of the top EB-5 countries ranked according to the number of EB-5 visas issued in the 2014 fiscal year. Continue reading “Top Twelve EB-5 Countries by US Immigrant Visa Issuance”

More EB-5 Predictions

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

No one can really predict the future. But as analysts will tell you, we can learn a lot from the past and watching current trends. This is especially true when it comes to immigration, which is in a state of constant flux. Continue reading “More EB-5 Predictions”

Failure to file Form I-924A Can Lead to a Notice of Intent to Terminate

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

During the 2013 Fiscal Year, USCIS notified more than 50 EB-5 regional centers on its intent to terminate their designation for one of the two following reasons: (i) not filing the required Form I-924A, or (ii) failing to promote economic growth as required under the EB-5 regulations. Continue reading “Failure to file Form I-924A Can Lead to a Notice of Intent to Terminate”

USCIS Publishes Updated EB-5 Processing Time Information

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

On October 24, 2014, USCIS released an updated EB-5 Processing Report reflecting average processing times for the Immigrant Investor Program Office as of August 31, 2014. Continue reading “USCIS Publishes Updated EB-5 Processing Time Information”