EB-5 has been a popular program for decades among foreign entrepreneurs wishing to move to the United States. In exchange for investing $1 million, or more commonly, $500,000 into job-creating U.S. enterprises, foreign investors and their immediate families can all obtain green cards.

The U.S. is a top-choice for immigrants looking for a country with a strong economy, world-class schools, and a booming housing market.

Concern over the fate of the EB-5 Regional Center Program has left many potential investors wondering what steps to take during the U.S. government shutdown. Potential EB-5 entrepreneurs looking to invest in the Direct EB-5 Program, should not worry, as it is a permanent program. All non-regional center applications will still be accepted and processed.

The EB-5 Regional Center Program, on the other hand, has been impacted by the government shutdown. The EB-5 Regional Center Program expired on December 21^st, 2018, and needs to be reauthorized before new applications will be accepted.

This, however, does not mean potential applicants are necessarily stuck, they can take these steps:

1. Learn about whether the EB-5 Program is right for you. Should you invest in the direct program or the regional center program?
2. Find an EB-5 immigration attorney who can evaluate whether or not you’re a good candidate for the EB-5 Program. Who is eligible?
3. Conduct due diligence on potential EB-5 projects and speak with Regional Centers to find the right one for your risk-tolerance. These are 14 of the most desirable regional center characteristics to look for.
4. Prepare your I-526 Petition for when the EB-5 Regional Center Program is reauthorized. Here’s a checklist for required I-526 Petition documents, do you have them all ready to go?

There’s a strong chance that the next funding bill that will end the government shutdown will be a short-term resolution. If that’s the case, potential EB-5 investors many only have several weeks to prepare their I-526 petition to file, and if it’s not mostly prepared in anticipation of a reauthorization, then they might not file in time. Take advantage of the time now to prepare your application and get yours in immediately when the EB-5 Regional Center Program is reauthorized.

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