USCIS Annouces Significant Changes to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

On Wednesday, July 24, USCIS announced significant changes that would be forthcoming for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

From USCIS, the new rule would include the following:

  • Raising the minimum investment amounts from $1 million to $1.8 million, with an automatic adjustment for inflation every five years;
  • Revising the standards for certain targeted employment area (TEA) designations to help ensure fair and consistent designation in achieving the goal of direct investment in areas with the greatest need.
  • Clarifying USCIS procedures for the removal of conditions on permanent residence to provide greater flexibility for interview locations and to adopt the current USCIS process for issuing Green Cards.
  • Allowing EB-5 petitioners to retain their priority date under certain circumstances.

The changes to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program are the first significant changes since 1993. The final rule will go into effect on November 21, 2019.