The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, signed into law on March 15, 2022, represents a new era for the EB-5 visa program. This landmark legislation not only reauthorized the EB-5 regional center program for five years but also introduced critical reforms that benefit investors by prioritizing integrity, providing new visa categories, and offering a faster path to US residency.
Key Reforms and What They Mean for You
- New Investment Levels: The law has updated the required minimum investment to $800,000 for projects located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), including both rural EB-5 projects and high-unemployment areas. The investment for all other projects is now $1,050,000. These amounts will be adjusted for inflation every five years.
- Faster Processing: A game-changing provision is the reservation of specific visas for certain projects:
- 20% of visas for rural EB-5 projects
- 10% of visas for high-unemployment areas
- 2% of visas for infrastructure projects
These set-aside visas allow for EB-5 rural priority processing, significantly reducing the I-526E processing time for qualified investors.
- Enhanced Investor Protection: The new law introduces robust integrity measures, including mandatory audits of regional centers and increased reporting requirements. A new Integrity Fund has been created to ensure compliance with immigration laws, providing a new layer of EB-5 risk mitigation and investor protections.
Why LCR Capital Is Your Trusted Partner
At LCR Capital, we are a leading EB-5 regional center and fund manager, guiding global families through the US Green Cards by Investment program. Our leadership, which includes McKinsey & Co. alumni Suresh Rajan, Sherman Baldwin, Bill Derwin, Brendan Rogers, and David Chait, has proactively adapted to these changes to ensure a seamless experience for our clients.
As a general partner of our curated projects, we act as a fiduciary for our clients, committed to three core objectives:
- Securing Your Green Card: We ensure all requirements are met, from the I-526E petition to the final I-829 petition approval. We have a proven track record, with the first I-829 petition approval secured for our legacy projects.
- Protecting Your Capital: Our strong due diligence checklist and focus on projects with I-956F exemplar approval and a robust job creation methodology & compliance ensure that your at-risk investment is managed with the highest level of care. We have a strong EB-5 repayment track record and a clear EB-5 exit strategy.
- Streamlining Your US Transition: The new law’s concurrent filing provision allows you to file for Adjustment of Status and receive your EAD Card and Advance Parole or Travel Permit much faster, enabling you to work and live in the US sooner.
We provide an empathetic, highly engaged service, guiding you through every step. Our mission is to protect your family’s legacy by providing a secure and confident path to US residency under the new, reformed EB-5 program.
