Changes to the EB-5 Investor Visa Program

The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 was recently signed into law making major changes to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. These changes include raising the minimum investment amount and reauthorizing the EB-5 Regional Center Program

What is an EB-5 Visa?

The EB-5 program is a visa program administered by the USCIS to allow foreign investors, their spouses, and unmarried children under 21 to become eligible to apply for permanent residence in the United States if they:

Invest substantial capital in order to finance a business in the United States that will provide substantial economic growth by creating at least 10 jobs.

Or

Invest in government authorized “Regional Centers”.

The second option is quite popular among investors due to the ability put money towards a regional center with a pool of other investors without having to worry about the risk of the business failing or employment problems.

Minimum Investment Requirements

The new act raises the minimum investment requirements to $1,050,000 or $800,000 if the investor chooses to invest in targeted employment areas (TEAs). 

Targeted employment areas are found in rural areas with high unemployment rates.

Regional Center Program

The EB-5 Regional Center Program lapsed in June of 2021 but was revived in March of 2022 for at least 5 years, until 2027. The goal of the EB-5 program is to simultaneously increase foreign direct investments and boost the economy by creating more jobs in the United States.

Though being a much more passive investment, the EB-5 Regional Center Program is still an investment that ultimately still leads to economic growth and job creation. A list of USCIS approved EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Centers can be found here.

Contact our Charlotte immigration team for more information about the EB-5 visa.

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