In 1990, the EB-5 program originated as a “direct investment” program, but due to its overall complexity and lack of success, the Regional Center program was launched in 1993 to help formalize and popularize the program by permitting investors to pool investments in larger projects.
2. What is GoVisa's role in the EB-5 investor visa processor?
GoVisa organizes and manages new commercial businesses that foreign investors can invest in, for the purpose of obtaining a US Visa under the EB-5 investor visa program. GoVisa owns and rents regional centers and provides management and compliance services as an issuer to qualifying investment-grade EB-5 real estate development projects, and manages the entire EB-5 immigration compliance process with their EB-5 securities attorneys, EB-5 immigration attorneys, EB-5 economists, US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and foreign agents. The process includes EB-5-compliant business plans, economic impact analyses, jobs reports, an EB-5 Targeted Employment Area (TEA) qualification, capital expenditure reporting and preparation of the securities offering documents that meet USCIS requirements.
Our goal and responsibility throughout the entirety of the EB-5 process is to protect the EB-5 immigration interests of EB-5 investors and their families so that they have the best experience while transitioning towards their own American dream.
GoVisa’s in-house EB-5 subject matter and source of funds experts provide all existing and potential clients with a complimentary source of funds qualification. This provides our clients and their families with the convenience of saving time as well as thousands of dollars to know whether or not their case is strong enough to be approved. We are committed to maximum transparency and value to our clientsFurthermore, GoVisa’s EB-5 project selection includes “best-in-class” EB-5 project options that meet 100% of the government’s EB-5 program requirements. GoVisa also structures the EB-5 project for safety and security for the investor, and provides oversight of the project, developer and the investment. GoVisa is backed by a strong network of immigration attorneys and developers.
4. What distinguishes the projects that GoVisa is/will be affiliated with?
GoVisa partners with some of the top real-estate developers in the world, and projects typically entail the construction of mixed-use commercial and residential buildings. Our team is comprised of a robust network of experts in commercial lending, construction, finance, legal and marketing fields. With a unique and successful approach, we continue to raise funds and are involved with some of the most recognizable EB-5 projects from New York to California.
5. Will GoVisa assist me in obtaining my EB-5 GREEN CARD?
Your immigration attorney oversees and prepares the entire application process, however, our team is qualified to guide you and your family through the entire immigration process. In addition, we are the only EB-5 Regional Center that offers its clients complimentary source of funds qualification confirmations.
6. What is form I-956F, application for approval of an investment in a commercial enterprises?
Form I-956F is a new form that can only be filed by an approved regional center that is designated after May 14, 2022. USCIS notified EB-5 stakeholders that “Form I-956F is similar in some respects to an ‘exemplar’ submission on Form I-924 under the previous program; however, Form I-956F is required by statute for regional centers to apply for approval of each particular investment offering through an associated new commercial enterprise.
7. What is form I-956G, Regional center annual statement?
Form I-956G is for regional centers that are approved after May 14, 2022 to provide required information, certifications and evidence to support their continued eligibility for regional center designation. According to USCIS, “Form I-956G takes the place of Form I-924A from the previous program but incorporates the increased statutory reporting requirements.
I-956 Requirements
In order to demonstrate that you are eligible for regional center designation, you may need to submit evidence along with your Form I-956. The following points are generally required from the applicant:
The particular geographic location of the regional center, demonstrated by a map or illustration
The estimated economic impact of the regional center on its geographic area
Policies and procedures in place to monitor new commercial enterprises and job-creating entities
Evidence of EB-5 program compliance
Information about all individuals involved with the regional center (Form I-956H, Bona Fides of Persons Involved with Regional Center Program)
9. What is the I-956H, Bonafides of persons involved with the EB-5 investor regional center program?
Form I-956H is a supplement to I-956. It must be submitted by each person associated with a regional center, new commercial enterprise or affiliated job-creating entity. There is no separate filing fee for Form I-956H. A copy of the front and back of the applicant’s Permanent Resident Card is required as initial evidence if the applicant is a lawful permanent resident.
If you and your family meet USCIS requirements and want to immigrate the United States via an EB-5 investor visa, there are many benefits that are exclusive to the EB-5 investor visa program, and not offered via other visa programs.
3. Should I hire an immigration attorney to represent me?
For such a significant decision, it would be best to hire an experienced EB-5 immigration attorney when you feel ready to begin your EB-5 investment. The process of gathering your documentation, selecting a project and filing the immigration petition can be a lengthy process that your attorney will oversee.
4. What are the job creation and investment requirements, and do i need to create them myself for the EB-5 investor visa program? how do jobs qualify for projects that are already under construction?
As of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. Every EB-5 investment must create at least ten (10) full-time jobs which must employ US citizens, lawful permanent residents or other immigrants legally authorized to be employed in the United States. 90% of these jobs may be created indirectly. Tenant occupancy can be counted towards the total number of required employees/jobs as long as the employees are new hires and not transferred to the project.
When investing at the reduced amount of $800,000, the project needs to have I-956 Regional Center approval. When investing in a Regional Center, investors have the advantage of creating indirect jobs, such as construction jobs for a particular EB-5 project. GoVisa will supply you with an economic report that outlines the estimated job creation per project. Near the end of the two-year conditional Green Card period, when you choose to remove the conditions from your green card (I-829 application), documents are submitted to show that jobs were created successfully and according to USCIS guidelines.
5. Am I required to have prior business experience or education to obtain a Green Card through the EB-5 visa program?
An investor approved for an EB-5 visa receives a conditional green card valid for 2 years. In order to remain a permanent resident, a conditional permanent resident must file an I-829 petition (application) to remove the conditions 90 days before the conditional card expires. The conditional card cannot be renewed. An unconditional Green Card is typically valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.