A recent article in Bloomberg Business week headlined that the EB-5 program has attracted $1.5 billion and created 31,000 jobs, important additions to an ailing US economy. With the popularity of the program, which is  due to expire in September 2012, streamlining of the application process by The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) could be very good news.

The Bloomberg article comments that many business ventures throughout the U.S. are finding backers through the EB-5. The article then goes on to say:-

“The primary conduit of investments for the EB-5 program faces an uncertain future. About 90 percent of the money is funneled through private companies, known as regional centers, which match overseas investors with businesses in need of capital. These companies are authorized to participate in the program by legislation that expires every few years. They could be shut down if Congress fails to reenact the law by September 2012.

Immigration Services data show that in the past five years regional centers were responsible for nearly 10,000 jobs and more than $400 million in investment. In 2007 there were only 11 of them. Today there are 147, with 146 more seeking approval.”

US Government statistics show that 1,885 people (about half of them from China) got EB-5 visas in the 12 months through September 2010. In the six months through March 2011, the State Dept. estimates it issued more than 2,100 visas. Regional center directors say the number of applications has increased because it is so difficult for small businesses to get financing these days.”

With popularity in the EB-5 increasing, the cut off date of September 2012 may be a cause for concern (depending on whether it is renewed.)  Plans presently being introduced by USCIS to substantially reduce the speed of processing applications for the EB-5 may be very good news, allowing several thousand more immigrants to make their applications before the closedown date.

The EB-5 visa requires a $500,000 investment in a United States Citizenship and Immigration center (USCIS) Regional Center Programs. The track record of these programs varies considerably and investment terms can be as little as four years. It is vital you obtain independent information from experienced advisors prior to making a decision on Regional Center programs.

If you would like more information on these visa options and a free consultation contact Which EB5.