EB-5 USCIS 12/05/2014 Conference Call Update
Introduction:
On December 5, 2014, USCIS held its conference call to update and engage immigration professionals. The discussion was led by the USCIS director, Immigration Investors Program Office division chief, and other prominent members. The summary below focus on key updates, hot topics, and excerpts from the question and answer sessions.
2013 EB-5 Statistics:
In the 2013 EB-5 year (October 2012 to September 30, 2013), USCIS received 11,000 EB-5 applications, with only 600 Regional Centers were accepted (5.45% of total submissions). The government terminated 28 Regional Centers, and sent numerous Notice of Intent to Terminate to Regional Centers that failed to timely submit proof of qualification. 2014 statistics has not been published. Going forward, new EB-5 VISA are available again for the 2015 EB-5 year (October 2014 to September 30, 2015).
Improvement in Application Wait-time:
The government recognizes the EB-5 program represent $5.5 billion dollars in potential investors, and translates to significant economic growth to the U.S.A. USCIS assured the conference participants that the government is enthusiastic and champions the EB5 program. While currently the wait-time are estimated at 14 months, 1.5 months ago USCIS relocated to a larger building and increased staffing to address the issue. Once full staffing is achieved, along with the ELIS system, wait-time is projected to decrease significantly.
ELIS – Electronic Immigration System:
The USCIS urges immigration professionals to utilize the ELIS to streamline submissions. The example given note that applications submitted by mail causes longer processing time, and in cases with multiple investors, each amendment requires letters by mail to each investor.
Retrogration: Assessment of Qualification Parameters:
Summary: Ten permanent/sustaining full time (35hr/week) jobs created within a two year period. Part times jobs converted to full time jobs do not qualify.
Financial Concerns, Escrow:
Escrowed funds need not reach full amount until release of funds, but the investor needs to be in the process of investing. However, fully funded investments are the best practice, because installments are taken into account for different assessments. Real estate developed and planned to be sold can be assets for EB-5 purposes. The path of funds must be traceable to demonstrate no money laundering occurred. Transfers through third parties are permissible for USCIS purposes.
Securities Exchange Commission
The USCIS cooperates with the SEC to reduce securities fraud, which in turn protects the EB-5 program.
Contact Tony M. Chang, Esq. Law Firm and Realty at info@TonyChangEsq.com for all your immigration and business ventures.
譯文
美國移民局電話會議（12/05/2014）：EB-5投資移民項目最新動向
簡介
美國移民局於2014年12月5日召開電話會議。主要報告最新投資移民動向並與移民專業人士就一些熱點問題進行討論。這次討論是由美國移民局主管，投資移民項目辦公室主任，和其他幾位主要負責人帶領。以下是由張睦毅律師事務所關於重點更新，熱門話題，和特例這三部分討論的總結。
2013 EB-5數字統計
在2013 年財政年度（2012年10月到2013年9月30日），美國移民局共收到1，1000投資移民簽證申請，其中只有600個區域中心項目投資移民申請被接受（佔總申請的5.45%）。同時美國移民局還拒絕先前接受的28個區域中心。同時很多個區域中心由於沒有及時提交資格證明而收到將被拒絕的警告。目前有關2014年財年年度的投資移民申請數據尚未頒布。新的EB-5簽證名額已經於2015年財年年度開始啓用，也就是2014年10月1日到2015年9月30日。
申請人的等待時間將會縮短
美國政府已經意識到投資移民項目代表着55億美元的潛在投資者，這將會為美國帶來巨大的經濟增長。美國移民局向與會者表示美國政府對EB-5投資移民項目非常看好。儘管目前的等待時間大約為14個月，在一個半月前美國移民局的投資移民項目辦公室已經轉移到一家更大的辦公樓，並增加更多的工作人員來審閱申請文件。一旦工作人員招滿，再加上新的電子移民系統，等待時間將會大大的縮短。
ELIS –電子移民系統
美國移民局強力鼓勵移民專業人士使用ELIS（電子移民系統）來上交申請文件。移民局官員表示郵件遞交申請較慢。比如所提交的申請件包括多位投資申請人，那每一封補件信函都需要 郵寄給每一位投資人，使郵件遞交需更久的處理時間。
合格參數評估
總結，要在兩年內創造10個長期的全職員工（每週35小時）。從半職員工轉為全職員工並不符合申請要求。
財政問題，第三方代理商
直到釋放資金前，由第三方代理商保管的資金不要求達到全額，但要求投資人所投資的項目有在運轉。不過一次性投資全部金額是最好的典範，因為分期付款會導致不同的評估。房地產開發和計劃銷售可以歸為投資移民項目中。資金要求必須是可以跟蹤來源，可以證明沒有非法洗錢。美國移民局認可通過第三方轉移資金。
證券交易委員會
目前美國移民局與證券交易委員會合作以避免證券欺詐，使投資移民項目可以正常運行。
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