With the unprecedented overseas wealth, economic opportunity in the U.S., and hard work of the Regional Center industry, the EB-5 Program is experiencing exponential growth and building a record of delivering benefits. Over 7,600 visas issued in FY2012, up from 3,500+ in FY2011. With this growth and success come new realities for the EB-5 industry, however. The U.S. immigration and visa allocation system has a limited number of total visas available per program, and per country within each program (known as “per country caps”). These limits are predicted to become relevant for Chinese EB-5 applicants during the current fiscal year (FY).
A “cut-off date” may be established by the U.S. government during the second half of FY2013 for Chinese EB-5 visa applicants due trends of high and growing demand. The approximately 10,000 allocated annually are on pace to be utilized in full during FY2013. The U.S. Department of State has formally issued the alert in its December 2012 Visa Bulletin.
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PANELISTS
Robert C. Divine, Vice President, IIUSA; Head of Immigration Practice, Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
Michael G. Homeier, Found Shareholder, Homeier & Law, P.C.
Charles Oppenheim, Chief, Visa Controls and Reporting Division, U.S. Department of State
Stephen Yale-Loehr, President Emeritus, IIUSA; Of Counsel, Miller Mayer, LLP
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