Due to a recent system conversion at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), all I-829 receipt notices and ASC Appointment notices are now delayed 90 days or more. This may be dismaying for many EB-5 investors and their dependent family members who may have waited a long time to reach this final step… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: EB-5 Investors
Update on Vietnam Retrogression
Posted in EB-5 Program, Retrogression, U.S. State Department, Vietnam RetrogressionThe U.S. State Department has released its monthly Visa Bulletin for the month of May 2018. Notably, the priority dates for the Regional Center EB-5 category for nationals of Vietnam have become subject to retrogression. As of May 1, 2018, only those approved Vietnamese EB-5 investors under the Regional Center Pilot Program whose EB-5 petitions… Continue Reading
GT’s EB-5 Group Will Participate in the 2017 AILA EB-5 Investors Summit
Posted in Eb-5 Regional Center, Events, I-829Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Kate Kalmykov and Jennifer Hermansky will participate as presenters at the 2017 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) EB-5 Investors Summit, Dec. 8-9, 2017, in Las Vegas. Kalmykov’s panel “Regional Center Investments: Understanding The Deal And The Capital Stack,” will address the Regional Center and NCE roles, differences between loan and equity project… Continue Reading
Greenberg Traurig EB-5 Group to Sponsor 2017 Invest in America Summit and Exhibition
Posted in EB-5, EB-5 Program, EventsGreenberg Traurig’s EB-5 team will sponsor and participate as an organizing committee member of the 2017 Invest in America Summit and Exhibition, the largest USA-themed investment conference and exhibition in China, with attorneys Kate Kalmykov and Laura Reiff as VIP speakers. The Summit will travel to four Chinese cities in 2017. Event dates and locations… Continue Reading
A Detailed Look at the Proposed EB-5 Regulations
Posted in Department of Homeland Security, EB-5, EB-5 Immigrant Investor ProgramOn January 13, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Making (“NPRM”) seeking to amend the current EB-5 regulations. As required by the Administrative Procedure Act, DHS has published the NPRM in the Federal Register for notice to the public and has given the public a three (3) month… Continue Reading
Greenberg Traurig Attends ABA 39th Annual Franchising Forum
Posted in EB-5, EventsGreenberg Traurig attorneys attended and presented at the ABA 39th Annual Forum on Franchising in Miami Florida. The ABA provides this forum to study and discuss the legal aspects of franchising. Kate Kalmykov presented on EB-5 Investors as a Vehicle for Franchise Network Expansion. Kalmykov’s recent white paper addresses the use of EB-5 franchises. To… Continue Reading
国家签证中心将根据签证排期表中表B的截止日期来启动EB-5类别移民签证的案件处理
Posted in Department of State, EB-5, EB-5 Investment, Immigrant Visa, Visa许多中国大陆出生的EB-5投资者最近注意到，他们不再能够访问国家签证中心（NVC）的在线平台。 此在线平台的功能包括移民签证费账单的支付，移民签证（DS-260）的申请，以及其他功能。 国家签证中心已确认将使用每月签证公告的申请递件排期表（“表B”）来启动案件处理。10月份的签证排期公告显示，对于中国大陆出生的EB-5投资者，表B当前优先日的截止日期是2014年6月14日或更早。因此，国家签证中心表示不会处理优先日晚于10月签证排期公告中表B截止日期的案件。 这种在处理中国大陆出生的EB-5投资者的移民签证申请上的改变导致许多人无法继续进行在处理方式变更之前开始的DS-260申请，以及无法支付移民签证费用帐单，完成DS-260申请，或从国家签证中心收到确认DS-260申请的所有相关文件已被接收的通知。根据国家签证中心的指示，在今年10月，只有那些优先日期为2014年6月14日或更早的中国大陆出生申请人能够在被国家签证中心通知后继续移民签证处理程序。另外，每个月国家签证中心将通知那些优先日在签证排期表表B截止日期之前的申请人。重要的是，对于以前已经提交给国家签证中心但优先日在排期表表B截止日期之后而不能进行处理的案件，国家签证中心表示将给申请人发出确认收到申请和材料的通知。 此外，国务院证实，正在努力使其在线平台现代化，并指出目标是在2017年春天，建立一个全新的门户网站. 此网站包括所有目前可用的独立的在线功能，如签证费用账单支付，DS-260提交，案件状态查询，以及许多其他功能。
NVC To Initiate Immigrant Visa Processing Based on Chart B Cut-Off Dates for EB-5 Categories
Posted in Department of State, EB-5, EB-5 Investment, Immigrant Visa, VisaMany of the mainland China born EB-5 investors recently noticed that they no longer had access to the National Visa Center (NVC) online platform for the purposes of immigrant visa fee bill payment, access to immigrant visa (DS-260) applications, as well as other functions. NVC has confirmed that it is using the Dates for Filing… Continue Reading
美国移民局有关2016年10月排期的说明
Posted in China, EB-5, EB-5 Program, Eb-5 Regional Center, Posts in Chinese, Regional Center, USCIS Public Engagement, Visa, Visa Bulletin美国移民局于2016年9月22日决定，在2016年10月，除了少数职业移民的类别外，家庭移民和职业移民的调整身份申请人可以根据申请递件排期表（Dates of Filing Visa Application chart）,也称为签证排期表中的表B来递交调整身份的申请。美国移民局指出EB-4宗教人士类别的调整身份申请人和EB-5区域中心项目类别的调整身份申请人，将只能使用移民签证名额的实际排期表(Final Action Dates chart), 也被称为表A。美国移民局解释说，由于EB-5区域中心项目和EB-4宗教人士移民项目预计于9月30日到期，因此这两个类别将在被国会延期之前，没有签证名额可用。公告还指出，这两个项目在延期后，移民局会适当的更新签证排期表以及更新网页来提供有关身份调整资格的信息。 在2016年9月28日，国会批准了短期联邦支出法案，其中包括将EB-4和EB-5区域中心项目在没有政策改变的情况下延期到2016年12月9日。 虽然美国移民局有更新该项目的网页，以反映在这些类别目前有签证名额可用。然而EB-5类别的调整身份申请人仍然不能使用表B来进行调整身份的申请。此外，移民局指出所有EB-5类别的申请人（包括区域中心和非区域中心项目）必须使用移民签证名额的实际排期表(Final Action Dates chart), 也被称为表A。对于出生在中国大陆已获得I-526批准的调整身份申请人，在2016年10月，只有那些优先日在2014年2月21日或之前的申请人才可以申请调整身份。
USCIS Clarifies Availability of Priority Dates for October 2016
Posted in EB-5 Program, Eb-5 Regional Center, Regional Center, State Department, USCIS, Visa, Visa BulletinOn September 22, 2016, USCIS determined that for October 2016, Adjustment of Status applicants in family-based and employment-based categories will be able to utilize the Dates of Filing Visa Applications chart (otherwise known as Chart B) of the monthly State Department Visa Bulletin, with the exception of several employment-based categories. USCIS instructed that those applying for… Continue Reading
Иммиграционная Служба США Внесла Проект Закона о Международных Предпринимателях С Целью Стимулирования Инновационных Разработок и Создания Рабочих Мест
Posted in Immigrant Visa, Immigration, USCIS, Visa26 августа 2016 года Иммиграционная Служба США опубликовала сообщение о проекте Закона об Иностранных Предпринимателях, и запросила комментарии общей публики и заинтересованых лиц.. В соответствии с сообщением Иммиграционной Службы США (USCIS), предлагаемый проект закона позволит Департаменту Внутренней Безопасности (DHS) по усмотрению выдавать официальные разрешения на въезд иностранным предпринимателям для осуществления развития вновь-созданных бизнесов в США,… Continue Reading
移民局推出国际企业家规则促进改革与就业创造
Posted in China, Immigrant Visa, Immigration, USCIS, Visa2016年8月26日，美国移民局发布消息称将推出一项针对国际企业家的政策，并提供了一个拟定的方案供公众审阅。 根据移民局公告，该新规则将授予国土安全部独立裁量权，针对每个个案情况向那些在美国新设企业并亲自管理企业为公共利益做出重大贡献的外国企业家发放入境许可。移民局提议 修改其之前根据移民国籍法INA212章节（d）（5）款所制定的行政规章，意图为行政裁量权的行驶以及初创企业家入境许可个案申请的审核提供一个“透明的架构”。 想依据此新规则获得入境许可的移民企业家被要求： *至少持有新设企业15%的股份且积极地参与企业管理 *在之前三年的时间内在美国创立该企业 该企业家还必须证明他或她的企业在就业创造以及业绩增长方面的潜力： *企业获得了至少$345,000来自合格的美国投资者的投资，该投资者要有投资成功的先例； *获得来自联邦、州、或本地政府的奖励或者拨款 对于只满足上述部分条件的企业家，新规则也留有一定的灵活度，允许企业家补充证明其初创企业能够快速发展和就业创造的潜力 在新规则下，合格的企业家可以获得有效期为两年的入境许可，并可以在初创企业获得成功的基础上申请延期 该新规则一旦实施，将会给那些正在饱受移民排期困扰并且不具备E-1、E-2签证资格国家的移民申请人带来希望，比如中国大陆和越南。对新规则的进一步分析也将可能为正在等待签证排期的EB-5投资人带来新的机会。 在Federal Register 公布新规则之后，公众有45天的时间给出自己的反馈意见 在我们全面审核分析新规则内容的过程中，我们也将会进一步地阐明这到底可以为当前的移民申请人带来怎样不同的机遇。
USCIS Proposes International Entrepreneur Rule to Spur Innovation and Job Creation
Posted in Department of Homeland Security, EB-5 Investment, Immigrant Investor, USCIS, VisaOn Aug. 26, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking for an International Entrepreneur Rule, and provided an advance version of the proposed rule for public review. According to an announcement from USCIS, the proposed rule will allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to exercise discretion, on a… Continue Reading
Regulatory Bodies with Oversight of an EB-5 Investment
Posted in Department of Homeland Security, EB-5 Investment, EB-5 Program, Immigration, USCISDue to the complex intersection of real estate, corporate, securities and immigration law (among others), an investment in a company under the EB-5 Program can be a complicated affair. One of the reasons an EB-5 investment is complicated has to do with U.S. governmental regulatory bodies with potential oversight over an EB-5 investment. The following… Continue Reading
Critical Things Every EB-5 Investor Should Know in Selecting an EB-5 Investment
Posted in EB-5 Business Plan, EB-5 InvestmentThe EB-5 Program is a complicated decision that requires much thought, diligence, and preparation. In light of this, it is important for an investor to know their rights. With recent headlines highlighting the problems with some EB-5 projects, it is important for a potential investor to know that the EB-5 program does work and is a… Continue Reading
EB-5 Industry Speaks with one voice on Renewal and Reauthorization
Posted in EB-5 Investment, EB-5 Program, Eb-5 Regional Center, Immigrant InvestorYesterday, the leading EB-5 Trade Associations/Coalitions sent a letter to the Senate and House Judiciary Committee Leaders and Members expressing support for extending the EB-5 Regional Center Program and recommending concrete changes. This is a decisive moment for the EB-5 Industry as the key members of the community are all speaking with one voice This… Continue Reading
U.S. Immigration Options For Prospective Investors and Entrepreneurs
Posted in EB-5 Investment, Immigrant Visa, Immigration, VisaUnder the U.S. immigration laws, there are four common visa options for foreign investors and entrepreneurs. These include: Temporary Work Visas L-1A Intracompany Transferee E-2 Treaty Investor Immigrant Visas (“Green Cards”) EB-1C Multinational Manager or Executive EB-5 Investor/Entrepreneur The EB-1C and EB-5 visas offer long-term solutions for those Investors and their families who wish to… Continue Reading
NVC Launches New EB-5 Investor Assistance Desk Email Box
Posted in EB-5 Investment, EB-5 ProgramBeginning on Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, EB-5 investors with approved I-526 petitions will be able to contact the National Visa Center’s (NVC) newly created EB-5 Investor Assistance Desk. Customers with visa processing questions can send their inquiries to the following email address: NVCeb5@state.gov. Inquiries will be answered by a team of professionals at the NVC… Continue Reading
Layoffs Post I-829 Filing: Is it the Death Knell of a Permanent Green Card?
Posted in EB-5 Investment, I-829As the numbers of filed I-526 Petitions have surged recently, there will arise new and unique issues largely due to the sheer volume of issues which can present themselves during the life cycle of an EB-5 investment. With that in mind, it is helpful to review the regulations which govern the adjudication of an I-829… Continue Reading
Central Bank of Myanmar Revokes Foreign Exchange Licenses
Posted in EB-5 Program, Foreign Exchange Management LawIn an effort to promote the depreciating kyat, the Central Bank of Myanmar announced that it was revoking foreign exchange licenses issued to hundreds of businesses. Effective October 19, 2015, companies must return their foreign exchange licenses by the end of November and will no longer be able to trade in U.S. dollars. The government… Continue Reading
9月30日 国会表决通过临时拨款议案，EB-5 区域中心项目延续至2015年12月11日
Posted in EB-5 Program, Legislation昨天美国国会通过了联邦政府预算临时拨款议案，其中包括对EB-5区域中心计划短期延续至2015年12月11日。我们在9月14日曾写过对EB-5区域中心项目重新授权的前景预测。点击查看文章详情 今天国会通过的持续决议（continuing resolution）包含EB-5项目， 也同时包含E-Verify, the Conrad-30 Waiver项目，和非神职宗教工作者 (Non-Minister Religious Worker) 签证项目。这项持续决议将会暂时延续上述四项项目至2015年12月11日。议案113章规定了拨款时限，113章明确写出延续EB-5项目。 近几个月来，许多人都为EB-5区域中心去留问题颇感担忧。因为国会准备对EB-5进行改革，所以9月30日成为了一个通过区域中心投资移民申请者递交文件的硬性截止日期。因为复杂的立法过程可变因素很多，I-526投资者申请和范例申请(exemplar petition)一样，加速赶在9月30日“过期”前递交材料，也是合理的考虑。 但EB-5利益相关者目前需要考虑的一个重要问题是，为什么9月30日之前被定为截止日期。比如，国会从未就是否“让区域中心过期而不再授权”这个可能性有过任何正式讨论。从国会立法者提出的议案来看，EB-5区域中心最终会进行改革。在接下来的几个月中，利益相关者需要用这个机会，对于如何能使改革有效进行，以何种方式支持就业岗位创造，及哪些产业将会加入等问题，进行意见交流。 现在国会已经明确暂时延续EB-5项目至12月初，我们仅希望实质性改革和合理的过渡日期尽快相继出台。这样能使投资者、区域中心和通过投资创造就业岗位的项目能够在可预料 、稳定的情况下顺利进行。
Who Can Source Investors For EB-5 Projects: The World of Finders, Consultants, Attorneys, and Broker Dealers
Posted in EB-5 InvestmentUse of EB-5 as part of the capital stack for an EB-5 project is a highly complicated prospect. Identifying the right Regional Center or forming a Regional Center and structuring the project so that it is compliant with the myriad of USCIS/DHS rules is a daunting endeavor. The other very real concern for these projects is… Continue Reading
Breaking News: Legislative Update on Bill S. 1501
Posted in EB-5 ProgramBreaking News: legislative update on bill S. 1501 to authorize the EB-5 program by Greenberg Traurig advocate and EB-5 Investment Coalition founder, Laura Reiff. We encourage everyone to listen to this podcast on this analysis and what it means for: EB-5 regional centers, developers and projects Individual EB-5 investors Migration agents and broker dealers working… Continue Reading
USCIS Changes Policy on the Use of Loan Proceeds as a Source of Funds
Posted in EB-5 Investment, USCIS, USCIS Public EngagementDuring the past two USCIS Stakeholder’s Meetings on EB-5 issues, EB-5 stakeholders, including Greenberg Traurig, have questioned USCIS on its policy of allowing loans to be a source of an investor’s lawful capital. For many years, USCIS has allowed investors to secure a loan by a relative’s property, so long as that relative gifted the… Continue Reading