Attorney Mark Ivener Summarizes Possible Changes to the Future of EB-5

Los Angeles, CA: On January 13th, 2017, the Federal Register published a document titled “EB-5 Investor Program Modernization.” The document served as a Notice of Proposed Rule-making for the EB-5 program, and discussed proposed updated rules and regulations pertaining to the program’s priority dates, minimum investment amounts required, and targeted employment areas.

For priority dates, the proposed changes would allow an EB-5 petitioner with an existing approved I-526 to use that same priority date on a subsequent I-526 that they plan on filing. The reason the investor is choosing to file an additional petition would have no bearing on their ability to use their original priority date. USCIS has also proposed to be mindful of inflation, and to thus increase the current minimum investment amount to $1,350,000. Attorney Mark Ivener specifies, “I believe the proposed increases will be no more than $1 million for the minimum amount.” Another major section of the proposed changes talks about Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs). USCIS is suggesting that DHS determines TEA qualifications using their own criteria, thereby eliminating state authority to gerrymander TEAs.

The comment period for this notice ended on April 11th, 2017, which means the new regulations can take effect at any time 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. However, Attorney Ivener commented that “Based on previous delays in past EB-5 & immigration regulations, I feel we won’t have new Rules before the expiration of the Regional Center extension on 9/30/17, when Congress is due to pass new EB-5 regulations.”

About Ivener & Fullmer LLP: IVENER & FULLMER has a global immigration practice with its principal office in Los Angeles, California. Members of their staff are fluent in Japanese, Spanish, French, Chinese and Farsi. Representing domestic/international companies and individuals in all business immigration matters, IVENER & FULLMER works to open doors for clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to movie stars. The scope of work includes representation of foreign investors, executives, managers, professionals, and entertainers for temporary and permanent visas. For a consultation or representation inquiries regarding EB-5 investor green cards, Mark Ivener can be reached at (310) 477-3000, or you can visit their website at www.eb5investment.com

Contact Information

Mark Ivener

Attorney

Ivener & Fullmer, LLP

(1) (310) 477-3000

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