When the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 was passed, many prospective EB-5 investors were elated about the possibility of faster capital repayments. Prior to the Reform and Integrity Act (RIA), EB-5 investors needed to sustain their investment to be at-risk throughout the conditional residency period. In more recent years, the conditional residency would begin around year 2 or 3, so it was rare to see repayment timelines shorter than 5 years when factoring in the 2 year conditional residency period. The RIA states that EB-5 investors are now required to sustain their investment to be at ..read more

For foreigners pursuing an EB-5 visa through a regional center, the investment process may seem mechanical, but deciding on an investment goes beyond immigration qualifications and compliance with relevant laws. Investors should scrutinize if the investment not only secures permanent residency but also ensures a high likelihood for repayment of their capital. EB-5 investments are changing, and this shift is driven in large part by savvy investors and a poor reputation for regional centers not repaying EB-5 capital in full. Investors no longer just focus on meeting job creation and immigration ..read more

Houston EB5 proudly shares a significant milestone achieved with the I-956F Project Approval for The Frederick from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA). This significant approval demonstrates the project’s strict compliance with the latest regulations of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and sets The Frederick as a vanguard project for rural area EB-5 investment in Texas. It marks a pivotal moment in enhancing the efficiency and reliability of rural EB-5 projects and contributes to the diversification and strengthening ..read more

Written By Suzanne Lazicki EB-5 processing is in recovery after years of delays and confusion for EB-5 investors. Individual I-526, I-526E and I-829 processing times have recently received approvals in a year or less, even as USCIS continues to report median processing times over four years for I-526 and I-829. The range of processing experience reflects transition behind the scenes at USCIS, and the first fruits of a trend toward increased processing volume after years of upheaval. Petitions with five-year processing times waited through extraordinary events including COVID-19 shutdowns ..read more

The EB-5 program is responsible for contributing more than $51 billion into the U.S. economy since the program’s inception in 1990. During the 07-09 Subprime Mortgage Lending crisis, the program experienced rapid growth. This was because real estate developers discovered a new method of raising funds for their projects. This occurred when traditional lending and capital sources became more stringent. After the housing crisis ended, word got out and the EB-5 program has played a vital role in major real estate projects ever since. So, why do developers want to use funds from EB-5 investors for ..read more

Upon graduating from university, most of the +1 million F-1 Visa holders look for alternative Visa solutions that allow them to continue living in the US while pursuing employment opportunities. However, for F-1 students, the journey to a Green Card can be very long and plagued with uncertainty. The EB-5 Visa provides a direct path to a Green Card and is a quick solution to taking full control of your own future. It unleashes your true career potential and lets you start building your American dream exactly how you envision it.Thanks to the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), pro ..read more

Introduction: Choosing the right EB-5 project is paramount to minimizing risks and ensuring a timely repayment of investments. One key factor that should play a pivotal role in this process is the evaluation of a project’s sunk financing costs. In this blog post, we’ll explore what sunk financing costs are, why they matter in real estate developments, and how opting for a project with low sunk financing costs can significantly impact the likelihood of success for an EB-5 project. Understanding Sunk Financing Costs: Before delving into the importance of low sunk financing costs, let’s define w ..read more

Navigating through the EB-5 Bridge Financing Maze. ** Replacing Debt for EB-5 capital  in Construction Loans? How far back is it safe to replace bridge capital? At Houston EB5, our goal is to always inform potential EB-5 investors in the clearest way possible. As a team of immigrants, we want you to have a successful EB-5 journey and are glad to provide clear insights for your due diligence. EB-5 Investors should exercise caution with projects that promise that you can claim the jobs created before you invest. Construction on these projects is usually finished or close to c ..read more

Seven Key Takeaways to Best Protect Your EB-5 Investment. Houston EB5 would like to encourage you to be aware of misleading promises that increase the risk of your EB-5 visa. Repayment guarantees on EB-5 loans is a hot topic that can come under the USCIS cross-hairs at any moment. Immigration policy and USCIS regulations are changing constantly. Just because USCIS is turning a blind eye to guarantees now does not mean that later they will not. We have seen the USCIS repeatedly change its stance on a number of issues. As an EB-5 investor, you do not want to find yourself on the wrong ..read more

Unpacking the USCIS EB-5 Guidance 2023 on EB-5 Sustainment Period changes. At Houston EB5 we know that clear EB5 insights and unbiased information on EB5 news is crucial for one’s EB-5 due diligence. As a team of immigrants, we prioritize nothing more than transparency. This has helped hundreds of our EB-5 investors get their Green Cards and return of capital with 100% success for over 12 years. USCIS recently gave guidance on the EB-5 investment timeframe of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA). Making an at risk EB5 investment to create jobs is a requirement of the EB-5 visa. The ..read more