EB-5 (Regional Center Pilot Program)
EB-5 (Regional Center Pilot Program)
After the EB-5 category was created by Congress in 1990, this category of EB-5 (Regional Center Pilot Program) was added in 1992 to stimulate economic growth to undeveloped areas in the United States.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Regional Center Pilot Program
• You must invest at least $1 Million or $500,000 in a regional center affiliated new commercial enterprise or a troubled business located within the area of the USCIS designated Regional Center; Definition of Regional Center: it is any economic unit, public or private, which is involved with the promotion of economic growth, improved regional productivity, job creation, and increased domestic capital investment and
• The investment must create at least 10 new full-time jobs either directly through the capital investment; and
• The individual, who applies for this category, does not need to actively participate in the management of business
GENERALLY REQUIRED EVIDENCE
I-526 Petition
• Evidence that you have invested in a designated Regional Center according to the approved regional center business plan; and
• Evidence that the approved regional center business has been established in a targeted employment area; and
• Evidence that the investment funds were obtained through lawful means; and
• Evidence that the new commercial enterprise will create at least 10 full time positions (i.e., Business Plan)
I-829 Petition
• Evidence that the Regional Center business is still operating; and
• Evidence that you have invested the total amount of required funds; and
• Evidence that you have sustained your investment in the enterprise throughout your two-year period of conditional permanent residence; and
• Evidence of the number of full-time employees at the beginning of your business and at present
PROCEDURE
Stage 1: Collecting Evidence
Stage 2: Submit I-526 & I-485 to USICS
Stage 3: Fingerprint
Stage 4: Conditional Approval
Stage 5: Submit I-829 to USCIS
Stage 6: Final Approval
TIME FRAMES
Stage 1 to Stage 2: about 2 months
Stage 2 to Stage 3: about 2 months
Stage 3 to Stage 4: about 3 months
Stage 4 to Stage 5: 2 years
Stage 5 to Stage 6: about 6 months
EXCEPTIONS & NOTICE
A. Our office does not get involved with the enterprise selection process you want to invest in
B. After the conditional approval on Stage 4, you will have a temporary green card for two (2) years
C. For those who wish to invest in a regional center, please contact the representative of the program first to find out whether you may obtain an outside attorney on your behalf because many regional center programs require you to use their designated attorneys for this process
D. If you want to know about the currently existing regional center programs, please click here: