Under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, eligible individuals can apply for lawful permanent residence if they plan to make a substantial investment in a U.S.-based commercial enterprise that either creates or preserves 10 permanent full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
Last month, USCIS published a series of new changes that will directly impact the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. On November 21st, these changes will officially go into effect. If you have an EB-5 visa or plan to apply for the Immigrant Investor Program, you need to know about the following changes:
- TEA Designations: Targeted employment area (TEA) designations will now be managed directly by USCIS. The new revisions will limit the number of eligible census tract-based TEAs.
- Revision of Removal Conditions: Regarding procedures for the removal of conditions on permanent residence, USCIS will further clarify its procedures to require that certain derivative family members who are lawful permanent residents must file to remove conditions on their permanent residence.
- Minimum Investment Amounts: Minimum investment amounts for EB-5 applicants will increase from $1 million to $1.8 million. The new changes also require that 50% differential remains between TEA and non-TEA designations. This means the new minimum amount a TEA must invest is $900,000.
- Priority Dates: If you are an EB-5 petitioner, you will be allowed to retain your priority date in certain circumstances. However, you must have an EB-5 immigrant petition that has been approved in the past.
Are you concerned about how the new EB-5 changes might impact your immigration case? Then get in touch with our legal team at The Patel Law Group. We are committed to helping clients resolve all of their immigration matters, and we have the resources you need to protect your interests.
Call (888) 223-8176 today to request your consultation with our attorneys.