Many EB-5 stakeholders associate EB-5 funding with hotel development projects and other traditional industries, such as assisted living facilities, mixed-use residential projects, restaurants, and public structures. However, a variety of innovative and non-traditional project types, as depicted in the table below, can also fit well...
On May 4, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) proposed filing fee increases and the addition of a new fee to the EB-5 Program. The government agency, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, has invited the public to comment on its...
As a Commonwealth of the United States, Puerto Rico uses the U.S. Dollar as its currency, is defended by the U.S. armed forces, and is subject to the American Federal Court System and Laws. However, one little-known fact that is highly useful to prospective EB-5...
Thanks to a recent publication by two scholars from NYU Stern School of Business, we now have a solid understanding of recent trends in the use of EB-5 capital, particularly in the realm of real estate development. In March 2016, Professor Jeanne Calderon and Scholar-in-Residence Gary...
As we have previously reported, the fate of EB-5 Regional Center Program remains uncertain. After two temporary extensions in 2015, the Regional Center Program is once again set to expire on September 30th, 2016. At that time, Congress may renew the Regional Center Program with...
A market feasibility study plays two crucial roles in the EB-5 process. First, it is an essential component of a proper and thorough due diligence assessment, as it determines the project’s feasibility for EB-5 approval by USCIS and its potential marketability to prospective investors (if...
When Congress established the EB-5 Visa Category in 1990, its goal was to to ensure that the funds committed by immigrant investors were obtained lawfully and not as a result of any illegal activity. Therefore, lawmakers passed a “lawful source of funds” requirement for both...
This post is part of e-Council Inc.’s “Spotlight” series, in which we feature successful EB-5 projects across different industries and business types. Some of the spotlighted businesses may be our clients’ while others are not, but all have one theme in common: SUCCESS Using EB-5...
On Wednesday, December 15th, Congress temporarily extended the EB-5 Regional Center Program for a second time this fiscal year as part of an Omnibus Spending Bill . This temporary extension gives the program a reprieve until the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30,...
Congress established the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program as a provision of the Immigration Act of 1990. Through the EB-5 program immigrants can attain U.S. lawful permanent residency by making a substantial investment in a new commercial enterprise that will stimulate the U.S. economy while...