Thursday 15 September 2011

EB-5 Update from USCIS

Mixed bag of news from USCIS Stakeholders' Meeting today:

EB-5 Visa numbers are still climbing, with 3706 issued so far this year.  At this pace the program will outdo its previous record set in 2009.

I-526 and I-829 filings are WAY up, with rejection rates of I-526s on the high side at 18% (way too high in our opinion), and I-829s at 7% (lower than any previous report, which is a positive sign).  The proof though, will be in the results of the mass submissions of this year - will the jobs have been created?

Processing wait times look like they are on their way down, which, again, is a very positive sign.

Tuesday 6 September 2011

Are we into the one year countdown?

As most know, the current EB-5 program deadline is September of 2012, one year from now.  Now, granted, there is a huge effort underway by politicians (sprearheaded by Sen. Leahy from Vermont), activists and stakeholders to get the program extended, and most are hopeful.

BUT...

What happens if it doesn't get extended?  We're moving into high election gear in preparation for November of 2012, and many things can happen, most unanticipated, on THAT road.  The current debate about immigration in the US is not helpful.  Combine immigration and election cycle and one should be fearful for the worst, and be prepared.

For those thinking about seeking their permanent residency (Green Card) in the US through job creating investments, now is the time to begin the process.  It takes between 9-12 months to get your temporary residency (I-526) completed, which puts us into September of 2012 at the latest.

Why not take a look our program (http://www.dreamlifeeb5.com/) today, compare it to others, and learn, as others have, why we are a different kind of EB-5 program.  Our experienced team will guide you and your family through the process quickly and effeciently.

Friday 12 August 2011

Dreamlife announces five year contract with RSM

As our operational tempo increases and interest mounts in our project, we are proud to announce that, in our continuing effort to be the industry leader in transparency and accountability, Dreamlife has just signed a five year auditing deal with RSM, a leading international audit and accounting firm.

This relationship with RSM will ensure that our EB-5 Immigrant Investor clients have third party confirmation of our operational costs, enhancing transparency, accountability and trust.

Welcome aboard RSM!

Friday 5 August 2011

Business Week on the EB-5 Program

Generally good piece by Business Week on the EB-5 Program - and highlights the benefits of a program that creates jobs, wealth, at little cost to the American tax-payer.  What more could you ask for?

Monday 25 July 2011

Gifting the American Dream - It IS Possible!

Have you ever dreamed, perhaps during your time as an international student in the United States, perhaps when you were a young tourist in New York, Los Angeles, skiing in Colorado or surfing in Hawaii, of actually moving to the United States to live, work, and maybe some day raise a family?

Why not? "Too difficult," some will say, "too long" say others.

There is an option!

It is well known that the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program is one of the quickest ways to get your permanent residency (Green Card).

Yes, it does take a minimum investment of US$500,000. Granted, for most young people, this level of investment may be out of their reach.

One way that young people looking to start their American Dream can overcome this important hurdle is to get the required funds gifted to them.

A Gift?  Yes, it may be as simple as that!

Young people who want to live the American Dream can do so by getting financial help from their family and/or friends.

Now that would be an unforgettable birthday present, no?

How could one do this?

First, you would need to secure the minimum US$500,000 gift. Do members of your family (father, mother, uncle, aunt, grandmother or grandfather?) have the resources to do this? Close friends?  Find out!

Second, you would have to pay all the applicable national gifting taxes.  In many countries there are no gifting taxes (for example China, Russia, the UK and Canada).  In some they are quite low (for example Hong Kong, Italy, or India).  Yes, in some they are quite high (for example France, Holland, South Korea or Japan).

Next, you begin the normal process for an EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa.  You will have to make sure that source of funds procedures are completed, as well as getting all the immigration paperwork filed with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

If all goes well, a gifted minimum US$500,000 can get you your temporary permanent residency (Green Card) within six months, and your permanent Green Card within three years!  Who would have thought the American Dream for young people was that close?!

For more information or for a free consultation, please visit our website at http://www.dreamlifeeb5.com/.  Our team is experienced in all aspects of immigration into the United States, and will help you start down the road to your own American Dream!

Friday 1 July 2011

Good News from USCIS

Numbers released by USCIS yesterday show that the EB-5 program is still running strong in 2011.

I-526 and 1-829 Petitions are way beyond previous annual numbers, and we have only finished Q2 of FY11!

What is more important is that I-829 petitions are way up, and approval rates seem steady with the previous three year averages.

Annual EB-5 Visa Usage statistics show a slight slow down in Q2, but for FY11 (already at 2129 visas) we should see the same numbers, if not slightly more, than in FY09 (4218 visas), which was then a record for the program.

Thursday 30 June 2011

California Dreaming? New EB-5 Regional Center Distribution

As of today, here is the EB-5 Regional Center distribution by region/state.  A lot of folks seem to be dreaming California.  Justified?

West (68):
  • California 40
  • Washington State 9
  • Arizona 4
  • Colorado 4
  • Utah 3
  • Nevada 3
  • Idaho 2
  • Oregon, Montana, Wyoming 1 each
Midwest (20):
  • Michigan 5
  • Ohio 3
  • North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana 2 each
  • Iowa, Kansas, 1 each
South West (12)
  • Texas 7
  • Arizona 4
  • Oklahoma 1
South East (43)
  • Florida 19
  • Georgia 6
  • Mississippi and North Carolina 4 each
  • Louisiana 3
  • Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama 2 each
  • South Carolina 1
North East (18)
  • New York 9
  • DC 3
  • Pennsylvania 2
  • New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Vermont 1 each
Hawaii at 5 and Guam at 1 round out the list, which now totals 167 regional centers...

Also, USCIS announced today (found via twitter) that I-526 and I-829 EB-5 processing times are 5.5 and 5 months respectively...