Chapter 1 - Purpose and Background

ALERT: On June 22, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in Behring Regional Center LLC v. Wolf, 20-cv-09263-JSC, vacated the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization Final Rule (PDF).

On June 22, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in Behring Regional Center LLC v. Wolf, 20-cv-09263-JSC, vacated the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization Final Rule (PDF). While USCIS considers this decision, we will apply the EB-5 regulations that were in effect before the rule was finalized on Nov. 21, 2019, including:

No priority date retention based on an approved Form I-526;
The required standard minimum investment amount of $1 million and the minimum investment amount for investment in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) of $500,000;
Permitting state designations of high unemployment TEAs; and
Prior USCIS procedures for the removal of conditions on permanent residence.

In other words, we are applying the regulations in effect before Nov. 21, 2019 in this chapter.

ALERT: Statutory authorization related to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program expired at midnight on June 30, 2021.

Statutory authorization related to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program expired at midnight on June 30, 2021. This lapse in authorization does not affect EB-5 petitions filed by investors who are not seeking a visa under the Regional Center Program. Due to the lapse in authorization related to the Regional Center Program, 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.

In general, we will not act on any pending petition or application of these form types that is dependent on the lapsed statutory authority until further notice.

ALERT: On March 15, 2022, the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 was enacted. The new legislation includes, among other reforms, repeal of the former Regional Center Program under Sec. 610 of PL 102-395 and authority for a new Regional Center Program with various implementation effective dates for the program. The program is authorized through September 30, 2027. USCIS is reviewing the new legislation and will provide additional guidance, including an eventual revision of Policy Manual content. For the latest updates, see the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program webpage.

A. Purpose

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) makes visas available to qualified immigrant investors who will contribute to the economic growth of the United States by investing in U.S. businesses and creating jobs for U.S. workers.^[1] Congress created this employment-based fifth preference immigrant visa category (EB-5) to benefit the U.S. economy by providing an incentive for foreign capital investment that creates or preserves U.S. jobs.

The INA authorizes approximately 10,000 visas each fiscal year for immigrant investors (along with their spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21) who have invested or are actively in the process of investing in a new commercial enterprise and satisfy the applicable job creation requirements. Three thousand of the visas are set aside for immigrants, and their eligible family members, who invest in a new commercial enterprise within a USCIS-designated regional center. Regional centers are organized in the United States for the promotion of economic growth, including increased export sales, improved regional productivity, job creation, or increased domestic capital investment.^[2]

The INA establishes a threshold investment amount of $1,000,000 U.S. dollars per investor and provides the ability to raise the amount by regulation. On July 24, 2019, DHS published the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization rule, which raised the investment amount for petitions filed on or after November 21, 2019.^[3] Beginning October 1, 2024, the investment amount automatically adjusts every 5 years for petitions filed on or after each adjustment’s effective date to an amount determined by a prescribed method and calculation.^[4] DHS may also update the investment amount by publishing a technical amendment in the Federal Register.

To encourage investment in new enterprises located in areas that would most benefit from employment creation, the INA also sets aside at least 3,000 of the approximately 10,000 EB-5 visas annually for qualified immigrants who invest in new commercial enterprises that will create employment in targeted employment areas (TEA), which includes rural areas and areas with high unemployment. The minimum amount for investing in a TEA was previously set at 50 percent of the standard minimum investment amount, $500,000 U.S. dollars per investor, but increased to $900,000 for petitions filed on or after November 21, 2019.^[5] As with the standard minimum investment amount, beginning on October 1, 2024, and every 5 years thereafter, the TEA amount automatically adjusts for petitions filed on or after each adjustment’s effective date, to be equal to 50 percent of the standard minimum investment amount described above.^[6]

The minimum investment amounts by filing date and investment location are:

Petition Filing Date	Minimum Investment Amount^[7]	TEA Investment Amount^[8]	High Employment Area Investment Amount^[9]
Before November 21, 2019	$1,000,000	$500,000	$1,000,000
On or After November 21, 2019^[10]	$1,800,000	$900,000	$1,800,000

Upon adjustment of status or admission to the United States, immigrant investors and their derivative family members receive conditional permanent resident status for a 2-year period. Ultimately, if the applicable requirements have been satisfied, USCIS removes the conditions and the immigrants become lawful permanent residents (LPRs) of the United States without conditions.

B. Background

1. EB-5 Category Beginnings

In 1990, Congress created the EB-5 immigrant visa category.^[11] The legislation envisioned LPR status, initially for a 2-year conditional period, for immigrant investors who established,^[12] invested (or were actively in the process of investing) in, and engaged in the management of job-creating or job-preserving for-profit enterprises.^[13] Congress placed no restriction on the type of the business if the immigrant investor invested the required capital and directly created at least 10 jobs for U.S. workers.

2. Creation of the Regional Center Program

In 1992, Congress expanded the allowable measure of job creation for the EB-5 category by launching the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program (referred to in this guidance as the Regional Center Program).^[14] Congress designed this program to determine the viability of pooling investments in designated regional centers.^[15] Currently, the jurisdiction of a regional center is based on the regional center proposal submitted to and approved by USCIS.

The Regional Center Program is different from the direct job creation (stand-alone) model because it allows for the use of reasonable economic or statistical methodologies to demonstrate job creation. Reasonable methodologies are used, for example, to credit indirect (including induced) jobs to immigrant investors. Indirect jobs are jobs held outside the enterprise that receives immigrant investor capital.

3. Program Extensions

Congress initially approved the Regional Center Program as a trial pilot program, set to expire after 5 years. Congress has extended the program several times.^[16]

Evolution of EB-5 Program
Act	Statutory Provisions
Sections 121(a)-(b) of the Immigration Act of 1990^[17]	Congress creates the employment-based fifth preference immigrant visa category (EB-5). EB-5 provides a path to permanent resident status, initially on a 2-year conditional basis, to qualified immigrant investors who contribute to U.S. economic growth by investing in domestic businesses and creating employment. Intends for immigrant investors to establish, invest in, and engage in the management of job-creating commercial enterprises.
Section 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1993^[18]	Congress creates an Immigrant Investor Pilot Program (Regional Center Program) to have a number of the available EB-5 visas set aside each fiscal year for immigrant investors (and eligible family members) who invest in a commercial enterprise associated with a designated Regional Center. Regional centers designated for the promotion of economic growth. The Regional Center Program allows foreign investors to claim credit for direct and indirect job creation.^[19]
Sections 11035-37 of the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act^[20]	Includes a specific reference to limited partnerships as commercial enterprises and eliminates the requirement that immigrant investors prove they have established a commercial enterprise themselves. Investors need only show they have invested or are actively in the process of investing in a commercial enterprise, among other requirements. Defines full-time employment as employment in a position that requires at least 35 hours of service per week at any time, regardless of who fills the position. Allows regional center proposals to be based on general but economically and statistically sound predictions submitted with the proposal concerning the kinds of enterprises that will receive capital from immigrant investors, the jobs that will be created directly or indirectly as a result of the investments, and other positive economic effects of the investments.
Section 1 of Pub. L. 112-176 (PDF)^[21]	Eliminates the word pilot from the name of the Regional Center Program.

C. Legal Authorities

INA 203(b)(5); 8 CFR 204.6 – Employment creation immigrants
INA 216A; 8 CFR 216.6 – Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien entrepreneurs, spouses, and children
8 CFR 216.3 – Termination of conditional permanent resident status
Section 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1993^[22]

Footnotes

[^ 1] See INA 203(b)(5).

[^ 2] See Section 610(a) of the Judiciary Appropriations Act of 1993, Pub. L. 102-395 (PDF, 83.2 KB), 106 Stat. 1828, 1874 (October 6, 1992) as amended by Section 11037 of the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, Pub. L. 107-273 (PDF), 116 Stat. 1758, 1847 (November 2, 2002).

[^ 3] See 84 FR 35750 (PDF) (July 24, 2019),

[^ 4] See 84 FR 35750, 35766-67 (PDF) (July 24, 2019). See 8 CFR 204.6(f)(1).

[^ 5] See INA 203(b)(5)(B)-(C). See 8 CFR 204.6(e)-(f)(2).

[^ 6] See 8 CFR 204.6(f)(2).

[^ 7] See 8 CFR 204.6(f)(1). See 8 CFR 204.6(f)(1) (PDF) (as in effect before November 21, 2019).

[^ 8] See 8 CFR 204.6(f)(2). See 8 CFR 204.6(f)(2) (PDF) (as in effect before November 21, 2019).

[^ 9] See 8 CFR 204.6(f)(3). See 8 CFR 204.6(f)(3) (PDF) (as in effect before November 21, 2019).

[^ 10] These amounts automatically adjust on October 1, 2024. USCIS will update this Part accordingly.

[^ 11] See Section 121(a) of the Immigration Act of 1990 (IMMACT90), Pub. L. 101-649 (PDF), 104 Stat. 4978, 4987 (November 29, 1990).

[^ 12] In 2002, Congress eliminated the requirement that an immigrant investor establish the new commercial enterprise. See Section 11036 of the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, Pub. L. 107-273 (PDF), 116 Stat. 1758, 1846 (November 2, 2002).

[^ 13] See Sections 121(a)-(b)(1) of IMMACT90, Pub. L. 101-649 (PDF), 104 Stat. 4978, 4987 (November 29, 1990).

[^ 14] See Section 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Pub. L. 102-395 (PDF), 106 Stat. 1828, 1874 (October 6, 1992).

[^ 15] See S. Rep. 102-331 at 118 (July 23, 1992).

[^ 16] For information on the current expiration date, see the USCIS website.

[^ 17] See Pub. L. 101-649 (PDF), 104 Stat. 4978, 4987 (November 29, 1990).

[^ 18] See Pub. L. 102-395 (PDF), 106 Stat. 1828, 1874 (October 6, 1992).

[^ 19] For a discussion on indirect jobs, see Chapter 2, Eligibility Requirements, Section D, Creation of Jobs [6 USCIS-PM G.2(D)].

[^ 20] See Pub. L. 107-273 (PDF), 116 Stat. 1758, 1846 (November 2, 2002).

[^ 21] See 126 Stat. 1325, 1325 (September 28, 2012).

[^ 22] See Pub. L. 102-395 (PDF, 83.2 KB), 106 Stat. 1828, 1874 (October 6, 1992), as amended.

Resources

8 CFR 216.3 - Termination of conditional permanent resident status

INA 201 - Worldwide level of immigration

INA 202 - Numerical limitations on individual foreign states

INA 203 - Allocation of immigrant visas

INA 203(b)(5), 8 CFR 204.6 - Employment creation immigrants

INA 204, 8 CFR 204 - Procedure for granting immigrant status

INA 216A, 8 CFR 216.6 - Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien entrepreneurs, spouses, and children

Pub. L. 102-395 (as amended) (PDF) (PDF, 83.2 KB) - Section 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1993

Pub. L. 102-395 (PDF) - Section 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1993

G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative

I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion

I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur

I-924, Application For Regional Center Under the Immigrant Investor Program

Appendices

Relocation of Guidance to Appendix

This chapter was moved to an appendix. On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 that includes, among other reforms, repeal of the former Regional Center Program under Sec. 610 of PL 102-395 and authority for a new Regional Center Program with various implementation effective dates for the program. An entity seeking regional center designation, therefore, may not do so under the provisions discussed in this chapter. Moreover, previously designated regional centers are no longer authorized, may no longer seek amendments, and are not required to comply with annual reporting requirements. USCIS is retaining this material in an appendix, however, for future reference. USCIS is adjudicating regional center-based Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur (Form I-526), filed before March 15, 2022, according to the applicable eligibility requirements at the time such petitions were filed (that is, the eligibility requirements in place before the enactment of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022).

Historical Guidance

ALERT: On June 22, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in Behring Regional Center LLC v. Wolf, 20-cv-09263-JSC, vacated the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization Final Rule (PDF).

On June 22, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in Behring Regional Center LLC v. Wolf, 20-cv-09263-JSC, vacated the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization Final Rule (PDF). While USCIS considers this decision, we will apply the EB-5 regulations that were in effect before the rule was finalized on Nov. 21, 2019, including:

No priority date retention based on an approved Form I-526;
The required standard minimum investment amount of $1 million and the minimum investment amount for investment in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) of $500,000;
Permitting state designations of high unemployment TEAs; and
Prior USCIS procedures for the removal of conditions on permanent residence.

In other words, we are applying the regulations in effect before Nov. 21, 2019 in this chapter.

ALERT: Statutory authorization related to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program expired at midnight on June 30, 2021.

Statutory authorization related to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program expired at midnight on June 30, 2021. This lapse in authorization does not affect EB-5 petitions filed by investors who are not seeking a visa under the Regional Center Program. Due to the lapse in authorization related to the Regional Center Program, 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.

In general, we will not act on any pending petition or application of these form types that is dependent on the lapsed statutory authority until further notice.

The goal of the Regional Center Program is to stimulate economic growth in a specified geographic area. The regional center model can offer an immigrant investor already defined investment opportunities, thereby reducing the immigrant investor’s responsibility to identify acceptable investment vehicles. If the new commercial enterprise is located within the geographic area, and falls within the economic scope of the defined regional center, reasonable methodologies can be used to demonstrate indirect job creation.^[1] A regional center can be associated with one or more new commercial enterprises.

A regional center seeking to participate in the Regional Center Program must submit a proposal using the Application For Regional Center Under the Immigrant Investor Program (Form I-924).

USCIS may designate a regional center based on a general proposal for the promotion of economic growth, including increased export sales, improved regional productivity, job creation, or increased domestic capital investment. The statute further provides that a regional center shall have jurisdiction over a limited geographic area, which shall be described in the proposal and consistent with the purpose of concentrating pooled investment in defined economic zones.

In addition, the establishment of a regional center may be based on general predictions, contained in the proposal, concerning the kinds of commercial enterprises that will receive capital from immigrant investors, the jobs that will be created directly or indirectly as a result of such capital investments, and the other positive economic effects such capital investments will have on the area.^[2]

The regulations state that the proposal must:

Clearly describe how the regional center focuses on a geographical region of the United States and how it will promote economic growth through increased export sales, improved regional productivity, job creation, and increased domestic capital investment;
Provide in verifiable detail how jobs will be created directly or indirectly;
Provide a detailed statement regarding the amounts and sources of capital which have been already committed to the regional center;
Provide a description of the promotional efforts taken and planned by the sponsors of the regional center;
Include a detailed prediction^[3] how the regional center will have a positive impact on the regional or national economy based on factors such as increased household earnings, greater demand for business services, utilities, maintenance and repair, and construction both within and without the regional center; and
Be supported by economically or statistically valid forecasting tools, including, but not limited to, feasibility studies, analyses of foreign and domestic markets for the goods or services to be exported, or multiplier tables.^[4]

The level of verifiable detail required for a Form I-924 to be approved and provided deference may vary depending on the nature of the application filing.^[5]

A. Regional Center Application Proposals

The regional center proposal must include a management and operational plan to administer, oversee, and manage the proposed regional center, including but not limited to how the regional center:

Will be promoted to attract immigrant investors, including a description of the budget for promotional activities;
Will identify, assess, and evaluate proposed immigrant investor projects and enterprises;
Characterizes the structure of the investment capital it will sponsor; for example, whether the investment capital to be sought for job-creating companies will consist solely of immigrant investor capital or a combination of immigrant investor capital and domestic capital, and how the distribution of the investment capital will be structured (for example, loans to developers or venture capital); and
Will oversee all investment activities affiliated with, through, or under the sponsorship of the proposed regional center.

Geographic Area

An officer reviews the proposed geographic boundaries of a new regional center to determine if they are acceptable. USCIS considers geographic boundaries acceptable if the regional center applicant can establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the proposed economic activity will promote economic growth in the proposed area.^[6] The determination is fact-specific, and the law does not require any particular form of evidence, such as a county-by-county analysis.

In addition, a regional center’s geographic area must be limited, contiguous, and consistent with the purpose of concentrating pooled investment in defined economic zones.^[7] To demonstrate that the proposed geographic area is limited, the regional center applicant should submit evidence demonstrating the linkages between proposed economic activities within the proposed area based on different variables. Examples of variables to demonstrate linkages between economic activities can include but are not limited to:

Regional connectivity;
The labor pool and supply chain; and
Interdependence between projects.

Moreover, in assessing the likelihood that the proposed economic activity will promote economic growth in the proposed geographic area, an officer reviews the impact of the activity relative to relevant economic conditions. The size of the proposed area should be limited and consistent with the scope and scale of the proposed economic activity, as the regional center applicant is required to focus on a geographical region of the United States.^[8] The regional center applicant must present an economic analysis of its proposed economic activity in the proposed geographic area that is supported by economically or statistically valid forecasting tools.^[9] The Form I-924 instructions provide further information regarding the requirements of the economic analysis.

B. Types of Regional Center Projects

An actual project refers to a specific project proposal that is supported by a Matter of Ho (PDF) compliant business plan.^[10]

A hypothetical project refers to a project proposal that is not supported by a Matter of Ho (PDF) compliant business plan.

The term exemplar refers to a sample Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor (Form I-526), filed with Form I-924 for an actual project. This type of regional center proposal contains copies of the commercial enterprise’s organizational and transactional documents, which USCIS reviews to determine if they are in compliance with established eligibility requirements.

1. Hypothetical Projects

If the Form I-924 projects are hypothetical projects, general proposals and general predictions may be sufficient to determine that the proposed regional center will more likely than not promote economic growth, improved regional productivity, job creation, and increased domestic capital investment. A regional center applicant seeking review of a hypothetical project should clarify in the Form I-924 submission that the project is hypothetical. General proposals and predictions may include a description of the project parameters, such as:

Proposed project activities, industries, locations, and timelines;
A general market analysis of the proposed job creating activities and explanation regarding how the proposed project activities are likely to promote economic growth and create jobs; and
A description, along with supporting evidence, of the regional center principals’ relevant experience and expertise.

While hypothetical project submissions are sufficient for regional center designation, previous determinations based on hypothetical projects will not receive deference. Actual projects will receive a de novo officer review during subsequent filings (for example, through the adjudication of an amended Form I-924 application, including the actual project details or the first Form I-526 immigrant investor petition).

Organizational and transactional supporting documents are not required for a hypothetical project. If a regional center applicant desires a compliance review of organizational and transactional documents, the application must include an actual project with a Matter of Ho (PDF) compliant business plan and an exemplar immigrant investor petition.

2. Actual Projects

Applications for regional center designation based on actual projects may require more details than a hypothetical project to demonstrate that the proposal contains verifiable details and is supported by economically or statistically sound forecasting tools. A regional center applicant seeking review of an actual project should clarify in the Form I-924 submission that the project is actual.

Actual projects require a Matter of Ho (PDF) compliant comprehensive business plan that provides verifiable detail on how jobs will be created. Absent fraud, willful misrepresentation, or a legal deficiency,^[11] USCIS defers to prior determinations based on actual projects when evaluating subsequent filings under the project involving the same material facts and issues.

Organizational and transactional documents for the new commercial enterprise are not required. If a regional center applicant desires review of organizational and transactional documents for program compliance, the regional center application must be accompanied by an exemplar Form I-526 immigrant investor petition.

If regional center applicants opt not to file a Form I-924 amendment, the investor should identify his or her Form I-526 immigrant investor petition as an actual project being presented for the first time. Additionally, the immigrant petition should contain an affirmative statement signed by a regional center principal confirming that the regional center is aware of the specific project being presented for the first time as part of the immigrant investor petition.

In cases where the regional center application is filed based on actual projects that do not contain sufficient verifiable detail, USCIS may approve the projects as hypothetical projects if they contain the requisite general proposals and predictions. The projects approved as hypotheticals, however, do not receive deference in subsequent filings.

In cases where some projects are approvable as actual projects, and others are not approvable or only approvable as hypothetical projects, the approval notice should identify which projects have been approved as actual projects and will be accorded deference. The approval notice should also identify projects that have been approved as hypothetical projects but will not be accorded deference.

3. Exemplar Filings

Regional center applications, based on actual projects, including a Form I-526 immigrant investor exemplar petition, require more details than a hypothetical or actual project submitted without an exemplar. A regional center applicant seeking review of an exemplar should state that the project is an actual project with a Form I-526 exemplar.

Exemplar filings require a Matter of Ho (PDF) compliant comprehensive business plan that provides verifiable detail on how jobs will be created, as well as organizational and transactional documents for the new commercial enterprise.

Absent fraud, willful misrepresentation, or a legal deficiency, officer determinations based on exemplar filings are accorded deference in subsequent filings under the project with the same material facts and issues.

While an amended Form I-924 is not required to perfect a hypothetical project once the actual project details are available, some applicants may choose to file an amended Form I-924 application with a Form I-526 exemplar to obtain a favorable determination. These exemplar filings are accorded deference in subsequent related filings, absent material change, fraud, willful misrepresentation, or a legally deficient determination.

C. Regional Center Annual Reporting

Designated regional centers must file a Supplement to Form I-924 (Form I-924A) annually that demonstrates continued eligibility for designation as a regional center in the EB-5 Program.^[12] The regional center must file the form within 90 days of the end of the fiscal year (between October 1 and December 29). The Form I-924A instructions specifically list required information that must be submitted.^[13]

If the regional center fails to file the required annual report, USCIS issues a Notice of Intent to Terminate (NOIT) to the regional center for failing to provide the required information. This may ultimately result in the termination of the regional center’s designation if the regional center fails to respond or does not file a response which adequately demonstrates continued eligibility.

D. Regional Center Amendments

Because businesses’ strategies constantly evolve, with new opportunities identified and existing plans improved, a regional center may amend a previously approved designation. The Form I-924 instructions provide information regarding the submission of regional center amendment requests.^[14]

To improve processing efficiencies and predictability in subsequent filings, many regional centers may seek to amend the Form I-924 approval to reflect changes in economic analysis and job creation estimates. Such amendments, however, are not required in order for individual investors to proceed with filing the immigrant petitions or petitions to remove conditions on residence based on the additional jobs created, or to be created, in additional industries.

Formal amendments to an approved regional center’s designation are not required when a regional center changes its industries of focus, business plans, or economic methodologies; however, a regional center may find it advantageous to seek USCIS approval of such changes before they are adjudicated in individual immigrant investor petitions.

Requests to Change Geographic Area

When a regional center requests to expand its geographic area, the proposed geographic area must be limited, contiguous, and consistent with the purpose of concentrating pooled investment in defined economic zones.^[15]

Any requests for geographic area expansion made on or after February 22, 2017 are adjudicated under the current guidance in the Form I-924 instructions which requires that a Form I-924 amendment must be filed, and approved, to expand the regional center’s geographic area. The Form I-924 amendment must be approved before an I-526 petitioner may demonstrate eligibility at the time of filing his or her petition based on an investment in the expanded area.

If the regional center’s geographic area expansion request was submitted either through a Form I-924 amendment or Form I-526 petition filed prior to February 22, 2017, and the request is ultimately approved, USCIS will continue to adjudicate additional Form I-526 petitions associated with investments in that area under prior policy guidance issued on May 30, 2013.^[16] That policy did not require a formal amendment to expand a regional center’s geographic area, and permitted concurrent filing of the Form I-526 prior to approval of the geographic area amendment.

E. Termination of a Regional Center Designation

USCIS issues a NOIT if:

USCIS determines that a regional center no longer serves the purpose of promoting economic growth, including increased export sales, improved regional productivity, job creation, and increased domestic capital investment; or
The regional center fails to submit required information to USCIS.^[17]

The NOIT will provide the grounds for termination and provide at least 30 days from receipt of the NOIT for the regional center to respond to the allegations in the NOIT. The regional center may offer evidence to contest the allegations in the NOIT. If the regional center overcomes the allegations in the NOIT, USCIS issues a Notice of Reaffirmation that affirms the regional center’s designation.

If the regional center fails to overcome the allegations in the NOIT, USCIS terminates the regional center’s participation in the Regional Center Program. In this case, USCIS notifies the regional center of the termination, the reasons for termination, and the right to file a motion, appeal, or both. The regional center may appeal the decision to USCIS’ Administrative Appeals Office within 30 days after service of notice (33 days, if the notice was mailed).^[18]

Footnotes

[^ 1] For a definition of indirect jobs, see Chapter 2, Eligibility Requirements, Section D, Creation of Jobs, Subsection 4, Measuring Job Creation [6 USCIS-PM G.2(D)(4)].

[^ 2] See Section 610(a) of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993, Pub. L. 102-395 (PDF, 83.2 KB), 106 Stat. 1828, 1874 (October 6, 1992), as amended.

[^ 3] An applicant can submit a general prediction which addresses the prospective impact of the capital investment projects sponsored by the regional center, regionally or nationally. See Form I-924 instructions.

[^ 4] See 8 CFR 204.6(m)(3).

[^ 5] For more information about the types of regional center projects, see Section B, Types of Regional Center Projects [6 USCIS-PM G.3(B)].

[^ 6] See Section 610(a) of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1993, Pub. L. 102-395 (PDF, 83.2 KB), 106 Stat. 1828, 1874 (October 6, 1992), as amended. See 8 CFR 204.6(m)(3)(i) (requiring a clear description of how the regional center focuses on a geographical region of the United States and how it will promote economic growth).

[^ 7] See Section 610(a) of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1993, Pub. L. 102-395 (PDF, 83.2 KB), 106 Stat. 1828, 1874 (October 6, 1992), as amended.

[^ 8] See Section 610(a) of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1993, Pub. L. 102-395 (PDF, 83.2 KB), 106 Stat. 1828, 1874 (October 6, 1992), as amended. See 8 CFR 204.6(m)(3)(i).

[^ 9] See 8 CFR 204.6(m)(3).

[^ 10] See Chapter 2, Eligibility Requirements, Section B, Comprehensive Business Plan [6 USCIS-PM G.2(B)].

[^ 11] Legal deficiency includes objective mistakes of law or fact made as part of the USCIS adjudication.

[^ 12] See 8 CFR 204.6(m)(6).

[^ 13] See Form I-924A instructions.

[^ 14] See Form I-924 instructions.

[^ 15] For a discussion of an officer’s review of a regional center’s proposed geographic area, see Section A, Regional Center Application Proposals [6 USCIS-PM G.3(A)].

[^ 16] See EB-5 Adjudication Policy Memo (PDF, 829.48 KB), PM-602-0083, issued May 30, 2013.

[^ 17] See 8 CFR 204.6(m)(6).

[^ 18] See 8 CFR 103.3. See 8 CFR 204.6(m)(6).

Updates

This technical update to Volume 6 alerts readers to the passage of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, which authorizes an EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program and includes various implementation effective dates for the program. The alert boxes refer readers to uscis.gov for the latest information on the implementation of that law. In addition, this update reserves and moves all of the content in Chapter 3 (Regional Center Designation, Reporting, Amendments, and Termination) to an appendix (Regional Center Program Prior to March 15, 2022) as Congress repealed that program.

Affected Sections

6 USCIS-PM G.1 - Chapter 1 - Purpose and Background

6 USCIS-PM G.2 - Chapter 2 - Eligibility Requirements

6 USCIS-PM G.3 - Chapter 3 - Regional Center Designation, Reporting, Amendments, and Termination [Reserved]

6 USCIS-PM G.4 - Chapter 4 - Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor (Form I-526)

6 USCIS-PM G.5 - Chapter 5 - Removal of Conditions

This technical update explains that on June 22, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in Behring Regional Center LLC v. Wolf, 20-cv-09263-JSC, vacated the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization Final Rule (PDF). While USCIS considers this decision, USCIS will apply the EB-5 regulations and policies that were in effect before the rule was finalized on November 21, 2019.

Affected Sections

6 USCIS-PM G.1 - Chapter 1 - Purpose and Background

6 USCIS-PM G.2 - Chapter 2 - Eligibility Requirements

6 USCIS-PM G.3 - Chapter 3 - Regional Center Designation, Reporting, Amendments, and Termination [Reserved]

6 USCIS-PM G.4 - Chapter 4 - Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor (Form I-526)

6 USCIS-PM G.5 - Chapter 5 - Removal of Conditions

7 USCIS-PM A.6 - Chapter 6 - Adjudicative Review

This technical update replaces all instances of the term “alien” with “noncitizen” or other appropriate terms throughout the Policy Manual where possible, as used to refer to a person who meets the definition provided in INA 101(a)(3) [“any person not a citizen or national of the United States”].

Affected Sections

1 USCIS-PM - Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures

2 USCIS-PM - Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants

6 USCIS-PM - Volume 6 - Immigrants

7 USCIS-PM - Volume 7 - Adjustment of Status

8 USCIS-PM - Volume 8 - Admissibility

9 USCIS-PM - Volume 9 - Waivers and Other Forms of Relief

10 USCIS-PM - Volume 10 - Employment Authorization

11 USCIS-PM - Volume 11 - Travel and Identity Documents

12 USCIS-PM - Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating and incorporating relevant Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) content into the USCIS Policy Manual. As that process is ongoing, USCIS has moved any remaining AFM content to its corresponding USCIS Policy Manual Part, in PDF format, until relevant AFM content has been properly incorporated into the USCIS Policy Manual. To the extent that a provision in the USCIS Policy Manual conflicts with remaining AFM content or Policy Memoranda, the updated information in the USCIS Policy Manual prevails. To find remaining AFM content, see the crosswalk (PDF, 331.55 KB) between the AFM and the Policy Manual.

Affected Sections

1 USCIS-PM - Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures

2 USCIS-PM - Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants

3 USCIS-PM - Volume 3 - Humanitarian Protection and Parole

4 USCIS-PM - Volume 4 - Refugees and Asylees

5 USCIS-PM - Volume 5 - Adoptions

6 USCIS-PM - Volume 6 - Immigrants

7 USCIS-PM - Volume 7 - Adjustment of Status

8 USCIS-PM - Volume 8 - Admissibility

9 USCIS-PM - Volume 9 - Waivers and Other Forms of Relief

11 USCIS-PM - Volume 11 - Travel and Identity Documents

12 USCIS-PM - Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising its policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to align with the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization Final Rule, published on July 24, 2019, and effective November 21, 2019. Note: On June 22, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in Behring Regional Center LLC v. Wolf, 20-cv-09263-JSC, vacated the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization Final Rule (PDF). While USCIS considers this decision, USCIS will apply the EB-5 regulations and policies that were in effect before the rule was finalized on November 21, 2019.

Affected Sections

6 USCIS-PM G.1 - Chapter 1 - Purpose and Background

6 USCIS-PM G.2 - Chapter 2 - Eligibility Requirements

6 USCIS-PM G.4 - Chapter 4 - Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor (Form I-526)

6 USCIS-PM G.5 - Chapter 5 - Removal of Conditions

7 USCIS-PM A.6 - Chapter 6 - Adjudicative Review

This technical update replaces all instances of the term “foreign national” with “alien” throughout the Policy Manual as used to refer to a person who meets the definition provided in INA 101(a)(3) [“any person not a citizen or national of the United States”].

Affected Sections

1 USCIS-PM - Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures

2 USCIS-PM - Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants

6 USCIS-PM - Volume 6 - Immigrants

7 USCIS-PM - Volume 7 - Adjustment of Status

8 USCIS-PM - Volume 8 - Admissibility

9 USCIS-PM - Volume 9 - Waivers and Other Forms of Relief

10 USCIS-PM - Volume 10 - Employment Authorization

11 USCIS-PM - Volume 11 - Travel and Identity Documents

12 USCIS-PM - Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding a regional center’s geographic area, requests to expand the geographic area, and how such requests impact the filing of Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur.

Affected Sections

6 USCIS-PM G - Part G - Investors

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to provide further guidance regarding the job creation and capital at risk requirements for Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, and Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status.

Affected Sections

6 USCIS-PM G - Part G - Investors

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance regarding the eligibility requirements for regional centers and immigrant investors.

Affected Sections

6 USCIS-PM G - Part G - Investors

Archived Content

This content has been superseded by the current version available in the Guidance tab. The historical versions linked below reflect the pertinent policy in effect on that date and dates reflect when updates occurred. The historical versions are provided for research and reference purposes only. USCIS employees should not rely on the historical versions for current laws, precedent decisions, policies, directives, guidance, and procedures.

The History tab was added to the USCIS Policy Manual on June 11, 2021, and provides historical versions on and after that date. For historical versions before June 11, 2021, navigate to the USCIS Policy Manual within the USCIS website at: https://archive.org

Version History:

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