October 21st, 2011 |
Today we are issuing a short but potentially important blog that will be of interest if you are currently considering the EB-5 visa.
The EB-5 regional center pilot program is due to end on September 30 2012. There has been talk of extending this program or even making it permanent and although we are cautiously optimistic, currently this has not happened.
Applications for this visa (I-526), are currently taking between six to eight months to be processed by the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service). Although this time scale could come down, this is the current position.
Additionally, those applying for the visa from overseas have to complete Consular processing; this will add extra time to the process. How long depends upon the Consular office they are applying to.
Clarification is being sought as to whether Consular processing needs to be completed before the September cutoff date, or whether it can be completed afterwards.
For the latest information contact Chase Brodsky at Which EB-5
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Tags: consular processing, EB-5 Visa, I-526, pilot program, regional center, September 30 2012, uscis
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 19th, 2011 |
 When faced with the mass of sales material available on the EB-5 visa, some potential applicants feel they need a select an immigration attorney as their first step in choosing between the nearly two hundred Regional Center options.
What some may fail to realize is that although they will need to use an immigration attorney to advise and prepare their visa application, immigration attorneys may not necessarily be their best choice to educate and guide them through the actual regional center program selection process.
There are a number of reasons for this:-
- Conflict of interest – If the immigration attorney is being paid by the applicant to carry out the processing of the application and is also being paid a fee by one or more regional centers to recommend their projects to the applicant then a conflict of interest may be a potential issue.
- Lack of detailed information – Has the immigration attorney actually visited and studied the regional center programs? Some of the strengths and weaknesses of various EB-5 programs only become clear after a detailed visit has been made to a program. However, many immigration attorneys have not had the time to do this and maybe limited in the amount of detailed information they can give.
- Levels of experience – Very few immigration attorneys have filed over one hundred EB-5 applications with The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), whereas others may not have filed any, or only one or two.
- Some immigration attorneys work exclusively, or almost exclusively, with particular regional centers, again raising the question as to whether there may be a potential conflict of interest.
Many who are starting the EB-5 process have found it useful to begin researching the EB-5 by reading the only published consumer guide on the EB-5 visa pilot program Green Card via the Red Carpet.
Which EB-5 can arrange for you to receive a free initial consultation with an expert EB-5 attorney; click the red “Stop” image above for full details.
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Tags: attorney, EB-5 process, EB-5 Visa, Green Card via the Red Carpet, immigration attorney, pilot program, regional center, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 7th, 2011 |
There has been a mixed selection of news on the EB-5 this week with good news concerning a consistent stream of EB-5 immigrants receiving I-829 approval. Bad news regarding alleged potential problems with one program and no news regarding the extension of the EB-5 regional center pilot program or the introduction of premium processing.
Good News
There has been a regular ongoing stream of clients receiving I-526 approvals which is always important. Additionally for those clients we worked with several years ago, there has also been an ongoing stream of I-829 successes. (The I-829 stage removes the conditions from visas and provides permanent green cards). As one client who received news of I-829 success commented, “the program we selected has done exactly as stated and we are delighted our relocation to The USA has worked out so well for us”.
Bad News
There has been bad news this week reported by CBS Money Watch regarding alleged issues with a particular program that had been promoted in China on a Chinese website. Currently the Attorney General in the State concerned is reported to be looking to see if any civil or criminal laws have been violated. We will keep you informed of developments on this issue.
No News
There continues to be no definitive news regarding an extension of the EB-5 Regional center program beyond September 2012 or indeed the introduction in the near future of what is termed premium processing which would greatly shorten the application process. Given the lack of news on these points those of you currently considering the EB-5 visa as your best method of achieving permanent residence in the USA may wish to act sooner rather than later.
Many who are starting the EB-5 process have found it useful to begin researching the EB-5 by reading the only published consumer guide on the EB-5 visa pilot program Green card via the Red Carpet.
For more completely free information about the EB-5 visa contact Chase Brodsky at Which EB5.
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Tags: Attorney General, bad news, CBS Money Watch, china, civil laws, criminal law, EB-5 Visa, good news, Green Card via the Red Carpet, I-829, no news, permanent residence, pilot program, problems, September 2012, USA, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 5th, 2011 |
 There has been a lot of coverage in recent months on EB- 5 programs that cover refurbished or new build hotels. A number of hotel development companies are viewing the EB-5 as an alternative source of financing for hotel projects that would otherwise have little chance of going ahead in a still difficult economic climate.
An expert in this area was recently quoted as follows:-
“There is no doubt that the dire state of our credit markets has had a devastating effect on hotel financing and development. Even as the fundamentals of rate and occupancy continue to improve it may be some time before access to debt and equity increase. One funding mechanism that is helping to close the gap is ….. the EB5.”
Such has been the interest in using EB-5 investment sources to finance hotel development that there has been a number of meetings and conferences in different parts of the USA to raise developers’ awareness of the EB-5 program.
Much of this information is focused on the needs of the developer rather than the specific needs of the EB-5 applicant. In some cases it may be the EB-5 applicant who is taking all the risk for a particular development and if the project fails to create the required number of jobs in the right area, or indeed fails financially, it will be the applicant who could face deportation or indeed the loss of some or all of their $500,000 capital.
Not all prospective hotel developments are created equally when viewed from the specific needs of the EB-5 applicant. Many have found it useful to begin researching the EB-5 process by reading the only published consumer guide on the EB-5 visa pilot program Green card via the Red Carpet.
For more completely free information about the EB-5 visa contact Chase Brodsky at Which EB5.
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Tags: EB-5 Visa, hotel, hotel project, pilot program
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
October 4th, 2011 |
 One issue this site sets out to emphasize is the need for prospective EB-5 applicants to fully understand all the facts before deciding on a particular EB-5 Regional Center program.
As one of very few sites working only with individual clients from all over the world, and not providing marketing or sales advice to Regional Centers, we continually stress the importance of looking behind the promises and sales messages of Regional Centers to identify the actual reality.
There have been a number of examples of EB-5 clients coming across problems with their chosen EB-5 program several years after selection.
A number of people have been successful with their original I-526 application and indeed their subsequent I-829 application for removal of conditions. However, after several years when they were hoping to see their capital returned they have found, in reality they face a probable wait of many more years before they are likely to see the return of their funds.
In the current economic climate (in the USA) many investments are suffering from losses, particularly some associated with domestic and commercial real estate.
There is however proven and specific EB-5 programs which clearly lay out a timed exit strategy for return of the capital and also comply with all USCIS requirements.
Many have found it useful to begin researching the EB-5 process by reading the only published consumer guide on the EB-5 visa pilot program Green Card via the Red Carpet.
For more completely free information about the EB-5 visa contact the EB-5 visa experts at Which EB5.
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Tags: EB-5 Visa, Green Card via the Red Carpet, pilot program, uscis, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
August 3rd, 2011 |
With just over a year remaining before the EB-5 visa (regional Center pilot program) is due to come to an end and no one, as yet, clear whether or not it will be either extended or made permanent, we have seen a significant increase in the number of inquiries from those either seeking a better, more secure alternative to their current immigrant status or those seeking to move permanently to the USA with their family.
We have just finalized our updated research on the current availability of Regional Center programs.
Unfortunately we have found a significant number where there is some cause for concern and we have raised these points in a number of blogs. If you would like us to go through these issues in detail with you please contact us, we make no charges to you for our services and there are no time limitations on how long we talk through the issues with you.
We remain concerned about the sales claims made by agents for a number of regional centers, particularly when given to non English speakers in China and Korea. The difficulty is that problems are most likely to occur at the I-829 stage (removal of conditions) or the return of the capital stage (exit strategy). If issues do occur, where will the agents then be who made the potentially misleading statements?
For those of you looking to relocate permanently to the USA on the EB-5 regional centers program now may be the time to act.
Please contact us on ++1-561-771-1330 to arrange a free detailed briefing.
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Tags: agents, blogs, china, eb5, exit stratergy, family, I-829, Korea, misleading, pilot program, regional center, return of capital, USA, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
July 26th, 2011 |
There are different ways various people look at the EB-5 Regional Center pilot program.
From our perspective, as consumer advocates on the EB-5 programs, the focus is on the immigrant applicant who simply requires the opportunity to make a successful application that will provide the security of permanent residency for their family in the USA and the best chance of the return of their $500,000 in the shortest possible period of time.
A number of Consultants working in the EB-5 field also offer services to regional centers, ranging from advice on how to attract clients, how to establish a regional center etc. Additionally there are increasing numbers of courses being offered, that suggest the EB-5 can be an excellent way to raise money for investment projects that otherwise would be difficult to find finance for.
It is vital to realize that from the EB-5 applicants’ perspective, the visa is typically about their safest route to permanent residency in the USA and the safest and most effective use of their capital.
The present range of EB-5 programs vary enormously in size, track record and potential outcome for the applicant, both in terms of success or failure of the conditions being removed at the I-829 stage ( two years) and the return of their funds.
Concerns have been expressed that there could be dangers in some programs which unable to raise capital from the traditional banking sources, seek to raise a substantial part of the necessary financing from EB-5 investors who may fail to understand all the risks and implications. These risks can include potential deportation and or loss of some or all of their capital.
For more information contact Which EB5
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Tags: consultants, eb-5, EB5 visa, I-829, permanent residence, pilot program, regional center, return of funds, USA, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
July 13th, 2011 |
 A comprehensive immigration reform bill has been recently introduced by some leading Senate Democrats. The bill is intended to enhance U.S. economic productivity and national security. Political commentators have pointed out that the bill also “provides a path to legislation for 11 million undocumented immigrants”.
President Obama has previously emphasized the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
A previous attempt at comprehensive reform in 2007 failed, although at the time the Democrats had control of both houses of Congress and the support of the then Republican President, George W Bush.
The current EB-5 Immigration Investor (Regional Centers) visa is a pilot program that is due to time out in September 2012. The comprehensive immigration bill includes proposals to make this program permanent.
Despite Presidential support the bill has to overcome a number of obstacles if it is to be passed into law.
The USA is approaching a Presidential election (2012) and immigration reform is viewed by some as a contentious issue. There can be no guarantees that the bill will become law.
Currently then the ongoing survival of the EB-5 pilot program (beyond September 2012) is, among other things, tied into a complex comprehensive immigration bill, we will keep our readers updated on the progress of the bill.
For further information contact Chase Brodsky to arrange a free consultation with a senior partner at Which EB5
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Tags: comprehensive immigration reform, eb-5, George W Bush, immigrant investor, Immigration, pilot program, President Obama, regional center, USA, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
July 7th, 2011 |
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As many regular readers of this blog will know, the EB-5 (pilot program) visa requires an investment of $500,000 in a regional center that has been approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
USCIS require that any regional center program be at risk, in other words the investment cannot be guaranteed. This is not to say that the investor cannot seek to minimize risk as far as possible, but guarantees are not allowed.
In an effort to minimize their exposure, some potential EB-5 visa applicants have considered whether it is possible to take out an insurance policies (for example with Lloyds of London) to insure them against potential loss.
There has been an extended report on one particular company that is offering an apparently complex insurance product to investors with one specific regional center. However, the report identifies a number of concerns.
While it is understandable that some EB-5 applicants may seek the protection of an insurance policy, it is important they understand the potential risks and limitations of such policies that may, in certain circumstances, impact on their investment and potentially their I-829 removal of conditions.
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Tags: eb-5, I-829, pilot program, uscis, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
June 14th, 2011 |
There is an awful lot of information available from different sources on the EB-5 visa, much of it may not be answering the specific points that are important to you as an individual or a family.
Every person has different priorities when making a permanent move to the USA, these may cover many issues such as:-
- What is the standard and cost of health care / insurance?
- How good, in reality, is the education system?
- Why do some families settle happily in the USA and others find they cannot settle and return to their home country?
Why do people from different countries actually want to obtain permanent residence in the USA?
Families from some countries have, for very good reasons, concerns about violent crimes in their home country including kidnap and murder in some cases; they view the USA as a much more secure home.
- Families from other countries yearn for the political freedom and job / business and educational opportunities that there are in the USA compared to their home country.
- For others, relocation to the USA maybe about the quality of life, cost of living, weather and other factors.
The key point is every family has their own individual reasons and this can impact on their choices and information they require about the EB-5.
The EB-5 regional center (pilot program) requires an investment of $500,000 in a government approved regional center program. With over 130 Regional centers, each with different projects, your choice will depend upon your own priorities and circumstances.
It is important to receive independent guidance on these options, guidance that gives you information on both the good and bad aspects of the programs. Unfortunately, sometimes you are told what sales agents believe you want to hear, rather than what you need to hear.
Some clients have told us they have been given incorrect or partial information by agents and centers they were previously speaking to rather than the simple straightforward facts. This seems to be a particular problem for people who do not speak English as a first language and are relying on obtaining information from agents outside the USA.
As a first step to gaining the impartial facts on the EB-5 it is worth reading Green Card via the Red Carpet. If you would like to speak to one of our Senior Partners for impartial guidance please contact Chase Brodsky at Which EB5
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Tags: eb-5, Green Card via the Red Carpet, permanent residence, pilot program, regional center, USA, violent crimes, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
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