US Citizenship and Immigration Services
("USCIS") published a final rule on July 24 where a number of
significant changes to its EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program are made,
marking the first significant revision of the program's
regulations since 1993. The final rule will come into effect on
November 21, 2019.
Under the EB-5 program, foreign individuals are eligible to
apply for permanent residence in the United States if they make
investments in a commercial enterprise in the United States, as
well as engage in the management of the new enterprise by creating
ten full-time jobs for US citizens or permanent residents.
Key changes to the EB-5 program include:
- Raising minimum investment
amounts: After November 21, 2019, the minimum EB-5
investment in a targeted employment area
("TEA") will increase from US$500,000 to
US$900,000 for immigrant investors to become lawful permanent
residents. For non-TEA, the standard minimum investment level will
increase from US$1