Recent Trends in EB-5 Create Questions & Opportunity

I am Mark Ivener, a recognized EB-5 Immigration attorney in the U.S. I provide services to my clients with immigration issues and am glad to help them with their problems relating to EB-5 visa and green cards. I am proud to have practiced Immigration law for over 40 years.

If you are ready to invest $900,000 or more in the U.S, and can provide over ten full time jobs to Americans, the EB-5 program could be the easiest route for you to get a gree n card. Your spouse and children below 21 years old can also attain green cards through the EB-5 program.

Recent Trends Point to EB-5 as an Attractive Immigration Strategy

Congress has been looking into extending the EB-5 program, but its fate is not yet set in stone. A short term resolution may be passed to extend the program and give it time for reforms. If reforms are not put in place by April of 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expected to make changes to maintain the program.

The White House is reviewing the new EB- 5 regulations. It seems that the investment amounts may be
increased. Higher amounts may lead to a drop in the number of EB-5 visa applications as many people might decide to emigrate to other countries or may not be able to afford the higher investment threshold. But it is also possible that this may lead to more investment by those who are willing to invest and determined to move to the U.S., thus contributing to the U.S economy.

The centralization of the designation of Target Employment Areas (TEAs) at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is also being reviewed. DHS is responsible for the final decision on this, so it will be important to maintain a view on their expected actions. There are two ways to invest in TEAs: invest in an metropolitan area with high unemployment or invest in a rural area.

Some technical portions of the EB- 5 program may also be altered. EB-5 has been seen as an effective tool for the creation of jobs by the Trump Administration and the new regulations are thought to secure the future of the EB-5 program. But changes to the EB-5 program are not expected to come rapidly as ongoing debates regarding the Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals law will likely dominate the immigration discussion for the next few months.

It is expected that any new regulatory changes will be coupled with a 60 day grace period before anything is actually implemented. There may be a rise in EB-5 program applications during this time, from Vietnam and India, in particular.

If you are considering applying for an EB-5 Visa, please do not hesitate to reach out for guidance.