USCIS SEES IMPROVEMENT IN EB-5 PROCESSING TIMES
As 2023 comes to a close, immigrant investors in regional center programs have seen a decrease in EB-5 processing times. Reports indicate that projects have received approvals for Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor within only 12 months.
This could indicate the success of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 ("RIA”). In March 2022, Congress signed RIA into law as EB-5 cases began to experience unprecedented delays. To improve efficacy for EB-5 investors in rural areas, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provided priority processing of their petitions. This included Form I-526E and Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status. Though progress appeared unlikely in the months immediately following, recent application turnaround times suggest priority processing is a likely solution for reducing EB-5 backlogs.
US-based investors can also file for I-526E concurrently with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This allows them to immediately adjust their status and apply for an EAD and travel permit. This increased flexibility furthers improvements to the EB-5 process.
Williams Global Law has a particular depth of experience with both direct and regional center EB-5 investments. If you or your company wants experienced immigration counsel regarding the EB-5 program, schedule a consultation today with one of our immigration attorneys today.
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