This article was prepared with the assistance of ABIL, the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers, of which Loan Huynh, Fredrikson Immigration Department Chair, is a member.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program expired on June 30, 2021. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released related guidance on July 1, 2021, noting that the lapse does not affect EB-5 petitions filed by investors who are not seeking a visa under the Regional Center Program. Due to the lapse, USCIS will reject the following forms received on or after July 1, 2021:
- Form I-924, Application for Regional Center Designation Under the Immigrant Investor Program, except when the application type indicates that it is an amendment to the regional center’s name, organizational structure, ownership or administration; and
- Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor, when it indicates that the petitioner’s investment is associated with an approved regional center.
USCIS said it will continue to accept and review Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status, including those filed on or after July 1, 2021. USCIS is rejecting all Forms I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and any associated Forms I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and Forms I-131, Application for Travel Document, based on an approved Regional Center Form I-526.
