The EB-5 visa, employment-based fifth preference category, or EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program, created in 1990 by the Immigration Act of 1990, provides a method for eligible Immigrant Investors to become lawful permanent residents. The immigrant investor has to invest at least $900,000 to finance a business in the United States that will employ at least 10 American workers. Most immigrant investors who use the EB-5 program invest in a targeted employment area, a rural area or area with high unemployment—which lowers the investment threshold to $900,000. Regional centers provide the vehicle to invest the $900,000 per household with over 850 regional centers in the US that provide opportunities for investors to contribute capital yielding a temporary green card for the family after a couple of years.
Congress has extended the EB-5 Regional Center program through June 30, 2021. The extension, which was part of the 5,593-page relief funding package approved with bipartisan support late Monday, separates the EB-5 program from other must pass immigration programs including E-Verify and the Conrad 30 Waiver Program for medical doctors that were extended for a longer period until Sept. 30, 2021.
Congress has sent a clear message regarding the EB-5 Regional Center program that the program must be reformed over the next six months.
We at the Emandi Law Firm specialize in EB-5 green cards and have expertise in identifying legitimate regional centers that have a track record of investors who have obtained successful green cards through their regional centers.