The EB-5 program has been extended from Dec 7 to Dec 21 with another short term extension through H.J.Res.143 – Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2019, and for other purposes.
On Sept. 28, 2018, the President signed Public Law 115-245 extending the Regional Center Program through Dec. 7, 2018.
The EB-5 Program contributed over $37 billion in U.S. GDP, $5 billion in tax revenue and created over 276,000 U.S. jobs from FY2010-FY2015, according to IIUSA.
EB-5 has a limitation is approximately 10,000 visas per year set by Congress, this includes family members. About 3,000 visas set aside for regional centers. No country can use more than 7.1% of the visas, but unused quotas can be filled by other countries. China and Vietnam are oversubscribed.
Currently, required minimum investments for EB5 are:
- General. The minimum qualifying investment in the United States is $1 million.
- Targeted Employment Area (High Unemployment or Rural Area). The minimum qualifying investment either within a high-unemployment area or rural area in the United States is$500,000.
As of Oct 2018, there are 17,126 pending I-526 petitions with USCIS
EB-5 could see an increase to the minimum investment levels from $800,000 to $1,800,000 in the future.