Called the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization and initiated on January 13, 2017 the final step now is in publishing it as the final rule in the Federal Registry thus, making it an effective regulation. This also included another programmatic change wherein the Department of Homeland Security will be authorized to designate targeted employment areas within individual states instead of the State itself. USCIS is set to centralize this process but offer a 30-day grace period that allows investors to file under the previous regulated investment amount until the new EB-5 rule takes effect on November 21, 2019.
What are the Changes to the EB-5 Investor Program?
The changes proposed and reviewed for the EB-5 investor program might have several consequences, if it goes into effect shortly –
- The total investment amount will nearly double if approved. However, the final review from the OMB is yet to be out so the hope still remains that it won’t go beyond $900,000 for TEA and 1.8 million for non-TEA.
- With USCIS taking over charge of area designation, expected processing delays and consequently, longer wait times is expected for all investors.
- Once the EB-5 new investment ruling comes into play, the minimum duration within which to get the green card is expected to go up by eight years at least.
- Indian investors in the EB-5 program who are already beginning to queue-up and experience longer processing times, will see an addition of at least 3 years to their already 5-year wait-times. This will be especially true for Indian investors with a priority date in 2018-19.
- EB-5 investors from other countries like Vietnam and China who have applied after 2017, can anticipate to get their green card anytime between 2-5 years, post petitioning.
- Those that have petitioned for a EB-5 before 2016, should see no change if the new EB-5 ruing takes effect.
What is the US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program?
By petitioning for a EB-5 visa, the US government offers foreign nationals and their immediate family members the opportunity to obtain permanent residency within the US in lieu of investing a certain minimum amount in a business venture in the US and create at least ten American jobs per investment.
Source: https://www.path2usa.com/blog/omb-approves-increase-of-eb-5-investment-from-500000-to-1-35-million