The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its policy manual to protect ‘good faith’ investors in the EB-5 program. This change aims to ensure that investors who comply with EB-5 rules are not disadvantaged due to misconduct by regional centers or other participants, preserving their path to permanent residency.

Image sourced from “USCIS protects genuine investors in EB-5 green card program” on The Times of India

MUMBAI: The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its policy manual to ensure protection to the ‘good faith’ investors who have participated in the EB-5 (Investment-linked green card) program.

The EB-5 program is also referred to as the investment-linked green card program. It is gaining traction among the Indian diaspora, in particular those who are temporarily in the US on an H-1B visa and seeking a quicker route towards permanent residency (aka becoming a green card holder). With a decades-long queue for an employment-linked green card and, lack of needed reforms for legal immigration, this program is an option available to high-network individuals, wishing to make America their home.
There have been instances where investors despite having invested substantial sums have lost not just their investment but also the hope of getting a green card. Currently, some regional centers are being served notices for not contributing to the integrity fund. Hence, the good faith guidelines will be handy to genuine EB-5 investors.

The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act, 2022, introduced measures to enhance transparency and compliance, while protecting good faith investors—those who participate with the genuine intention of complying with EB-5 rules—from losing their path to permanent residency (green card) due to misconduct by regional centers or other participants.

The Article was originally posted on The Times of India

Authored by Lubna Kably