16 Sep USCIS Begins Implementation of Proposed Enhancements
September 16, 2011
A recent announcement by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will pave the way for a new and improved processing of the EB-5 applicants. The announcement follows below:
USCIS is implementing the first phase in a series of proposed enhancements to the EB-5 program. Beginning today, Form I-924 applicants will be able to communicate directly with USCIS adjudicators via e-mail in an effort to streamline the process and quickly raise and resolve issues and questions that arise during the adjudication process. The Form I-924 is the Application for Regional Center Under the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program. Information on how direct e-mail communication will work can be found in our Questions and Answers document.
USCIS intends to monitor the progress of this new line of communication to assess whether changes are needed and to implement any required changes on a real-time basis. If you have feedback in response to your use of the direct line of communication for the Form I-924, please submit your comments to [email protected].
USCIS is eager to implement all of the proposed enhancements to the EB-5 program that it first announced on May 19, 2011. USCIS is currently exploring how it can accelerate the implementation of premium processing, which customarily takes months due to the need to revise the applicable forms. USCIS is currently hiring economists and other experts that will enhance and accelerate the adjudication process and also help constitute the Decision Board that was first described on May 19.
Implementation of enhancements to the EB-5 program is a high priority for USCIS. Director Alejandro Mayorkas will provide more information about the status of the proposed enhancements and other action items for this program in his first Conversation with the Director this Wednesday, September 14, and in the national stakeholder engagement on Thursday, September 15.
There are three new enhancements that will help the EB-5 applicant process, these include:
Proposed Step 1: Accelerated and Premium Processing of “Shovel-Ready” Cases
This will allow the USCIS to prioritize I-526 (EB-5 Investors application) applicants who are investing in “Shovel-Ready” business projects (i.e. projects that have necessary approvals and are ready for construction or are ready to begin business once funding is secured)
Proposed Step 2: Specialized Intake Teams for I-924 Applications, with Direct Customer Access
This step will give the USCIS the manpower necessary to review all of the I-924 (Regional Center application) applicants in a timely manner, thus speeding along the process.
Proposed Step 3: Enhanced Decision Process for I-924 Applications, with Option for In- Person or Telephonic Interview
This new step will give a board of distinguished individuals the authority to approve or deny a regional center’s validity in a timely manner.
The Florida Regional Center has already received their I-924 approval and is a recognized regional center by the USCIS. The FRC currently has one “shovel-ready” project, Harbourside Place in Jupiter, Florida, allowing your application to invest to move to the top of the list. For EB-5 Investment opportunities in Harbourside Place and other Florida Regional Center Projects, please visit http://www.visaeb-5.com/. Subscribe to our blog for weekly EB-5 updates or follow us on Twitter @eb5palmbeach for the most up to date information.