jthomas
07-05 05:52 PM
Most of the active members would have done their calls to lawmakers and the list of provided. What's next. Can somebody keep it moving.
Blog Feeds
12-05 09:20 PM
This great summary is provided by AILA with the guidance of Amy Fox-Isicoff. The EB5 program is of great interest to many applicants, especially those with the means to participate. he EB-5, Green Card through investment, was created to promote investments in businesses and to create and preserve jobs in the U.S. You can become a lawful permanent resident by establishing a new commercial enterprise and provide full-time employment to at least ten U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, or other immigrants with employment authorization.
Under section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. � 1153(b)(5), 10,000 immigrant visas per year are available to qualified individuals seeking permanent resident status on the basis of their engagement in a new commercial enterprise.
Of these 10,000 visas, 5,000 are set aside for those who apply under a pilot program involving a CIS-designated "Regional Center."
What is a Regional Center (RC)?
A RC is a proposed business venture often located in a targeted unemployment area supported by an econometric model based on a business plan forecasting indirect and/or direct job creation. Normally, RCs are located in areas of high unemployment or rural areas and require a $500,000 investment. However, some RCs are not located in targeted employment areas and therefore require investments of $1,000,000. An investor in an RC is not required to be actively involved in the management of the investment as long as the investor is a limited partner under the Uniform Limited Partnership Act. An RC normally structures one or more new commercial enterprises (NCE) that receive capital from investors to engage in direct or indirect job creation project or projects.
What does RC designation by USCIS mean?
It means that USCIS has reviewed the proposed business plan, any accompanying econometric model, location, and proposed job creation and has determined that the proposed business plan meets the requirements of The Immigrant Investor Pilot Program, created by Section 610 of Public Law 102-395 on October 6, 1992.
Are all RCs that have received designation from USCIS operational?
No, actually only a small percent of designated RCs are operational and have been the basis for approved I-526 Immigrant Petitions by Alien Entrepreneur. Even a smaller percentage have approved I-829 Petitions to Remove Conditions on Residence.
Is USCIS required to conduct background checks on RC managers or directors?
No.
Does USCIS monitor the performance of RCs?
No. USCIS has sent out questionnaires to RCs, but it is not clear at this time what USCIS is doing with the information obtained from the questionnaires.
Does USCIS publish a list of operational RCs and those with approved I-526 and I- 829 petitions?
While USCIS does publish a list of designated RCs, it does not publish which RCs are operational or which RCs have approved or denied I-526 and/or I-829 petitions.
If an RC is designated by USCIS, are all NCEs formed in the RC automatically
approved?
No, each NCE within the RC must meet the requirements of the requisite investment amount and job creation. If the NCE will be investing in another business, that business must meet the requisite employment creation.
Is there a process whereby USCIS provides pre-approval of an NCE within an RC?
Yes. USCIS has recently created a pre-approval process. However, this process is not taken advantage of by many RCs as the time to obtain pre-approval of an NCE can be extensive, inordinately delaying the NCE from receiving funds from investors. The preapproval process is so new that it has not been adequately time tested.
If USCIS has approved a number of I-526 petitions for an NCE or pre-approved an NCE is it a guarantee that future petitions for the same NCE will also be approved?
No. USCIS will always examine the source and path of funds of the individual investor and failure to carefully document this can result in the denial of the I-526 petition. More baffling is that on frequent occasions, USCIS has raised questions pertaining to NCEs that have a long track record of approvals, and USCIS can also raise questions pertaining to NCEs that have been pre-approved. USCIS has also raised questions concerning an NCE�s qualifications after approving an I-526, at the I-829 stage. Thus, prior approvals for the same NCE, pre-approval of an exemplar petition for an NCE and even the approval of an investor�s I-526 for a particular NCE, does not mean that the NCE will not be further scrutinized by USCIS.
What happens to an investor who invests in an NCE that never gets off the ground?
The initial I-526 petition may be approved based on the business plan and supporting documents, but the I-829 petition to remove conditions on residence will be denied.
If either the I- 526 or I- 829 is denied, will the invested funds be returned to the
investor?
This depends to some extent on the agreement between the investor and the RC. Some RCs hold funds in escrow pending approval of the I-526. Others do not. At the I-829 stage, it is doubtful that funds will be returned if the I-829 is denied as the funds must have been placed at risk in order for the I-526 to be approved in the first place. See Matter of Izumii, 22 I&N Dec. 169 (Assoc. Comm. 1998). The RC cannot provide any guarantee of the return of the invested funds if the I-829 is denied.
What happens to an investor if the I-829 is denied by USCIS?
The investor can renew the I-829 in removal proceedings before an immigration judge. If the I-829 is denied by the judge, the investor can appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals and to federal court. If the investor does not prevail, the investor can be deported.
More... (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2010/12/eb5_visa_attorney_san_diego_ev.html)
Under section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. � 1153(b)(5), 10,000 immigrant visas per year are available to qualified individuals seeking permanent resident status on the basis of their engagement in a new commercial enterprise.
Of these 10,000 visas, 5,000 are set aside for those who apply under a pilot program involving a CIS-designated "Regional Center."
What is a Regional Center (RC)?
A RC is a proposed business venture often located in a targeted unemployment area supported by an econometric model based on a business plan forecasting indirect and/or direct job creation. Normally, RCs are located in areas of high unemployment or rural areas and require a $500,000 investment. However, some RCs are not located in targeted employment areas and therefore require investments of $1,000,000. An investor in an RC is not required to be actively involved in the management of the investment as long as the investor is a limited partner under the Uniform Limited Partnership Act. An RC normally structures one or more new commercial enterprises (NCE) that receive capital from investors to engage in direct or indirect job creation project or projects.
What does RC designation by USCIS mean?
It means that USCIS has reviewed the proposed business plan, any accompanying econometric model, location, and proposed job creation and has determined that the proposed business plan meets the requirements of The Immigrant Investor Pilot Program, created by Section 610 of Public Law 102-395 on October 6, 1992.
Are all RCs that have received designation from USCIS operational?
No, actually only a small percent of designated RCs are operational and have been the basis for approved I-526 Immigrant Petitions by Alien Entrepreneur. Even a smaller percentage have approved I-829 Petitions to Remove Conditions on Residence.
Is USCIS required to conduct background checks on RC managers or directors?
No.
Does USCIS monitor the performance of RCs?
No. USCIS has sent out questionnaires to RCs, but it is not clear at this time what USCIS is doing with the information obtained from the questionnaires.
Does USCIS publish a list of operational RCs and those with approved I-526 and I- 829 petitions?
While USCIS does publish a list of designated RCs, it does not publish which RCs are operational or which RCs have approved or denied I-526 and/or I-829 petitions.
If an RC is designated by USCIS, are all NCEs formed in the RC automatically
approved?
No, each NCE within the RC must meet the requirements of the requisite investment amount and job creation. If the NCE will be investing in another business, that business must meet the requisite employment creation.
Is there a process whereby USCIS provides pre-approval of an NCE within an RC?
Yes. USCIS has recently created a pre-approval process. However, this process is not taken advantage of by many RCs as the time to obtain pre-approval of an NCE can be extensive, inordinately delaying the NCE from receiving funds from investors. The preapproval process is so new that it has not been adequately time tested.
If USCIS has approved a number of I-526 petitions for an NCE or pre-approved an NCE is it a guarantee that future petitions for the same NCE will also be approved?
No. USCIS will always examine the source and path of funds of the individual investor and failure to carefully document this can result in the denial of the I-526 petition. More baffling is that on frequent occasions, USCIS has raised questions pertaining to NCEs that have a long track record of approvals, and USCIS can also raise questions pertaining to NCEs that have been pre-approved. USCIS has also raised questions concerning an NCE�s qualifications after approving an I-526, at the I-829 stage. Thus, prior approvals for the same NCE, pre-approval of an exemplar petition for an NCE and even the approval of an investor�s I-526 for a particular NCE, does not mean that the NCE will not be further scrutinized by USCIS.
What happens to an investor who invests in an NCE that never gets off the ground?
The initial I-526 petition may be approved based on the business plan and supporting documents, but the I-829 petition to remove conditions on residence will be denied.
If either the I- 526 or I- 829 is denied, will the invested funds be returned to the
investor?
This depends to some extent on the agreement between the investor and the RC. Some RCs hold funds in escrow pending approval of the I-526. Others do not. At the I-829 stage, it is doubtful that funds will be returned if the I-829 is denied as the funds must have been placed at risk in order for the I-526 to be approved in the first place. See Matter of Izumii, 22 I&N Dec. 169 (Assoc. Comm. 1998). The RC cannot provide any guarantee of the return of the invested funds if the I-829 is denied.
What happens to an investor if the I-829 is denied by USCIS?
The investor can renew the I-829 in removal proceedings before an immigration judge. If the I-829 is denied by the judge, the investor can appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals and to federal court. If the investor does not prevail, the investor can be deported.
More... (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2010/12/eb5_visa_attorney_san_diego_ev.html)
GCchakravyuh
07-17 12:53 AM
Thanks to Business week for well presenting the facts...
gcdreamer05
01-15 09:45 AM
So could you please explain when does this new process kick in, does it apply to all apps filed after may 2008 as said in the article ?
more...
Michael chertoff
02-15 09:38 PM
Bank denied a consumer loan ,after approval due to immigration status specifically they said no loan unless you are a citizen. i am a permanent resident , leaving in the US for over 15 years. Applying for naturalization this year. Also the same bank had approved a consumer loan 2 years ago and now they say "oh we made a mistake then". Case or no case? I think I have been discriminated against.
Some one please help him.. I dont know what to do...
Papuu please advise him.
MC
Some one please help him.. I dont know what to do...
Papuu please advise him.
MC
ch102
02-24 11:11 AM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20090224/bs_bw/feb2009tc20090223946195
more...
delhikadesi
07-17 12:46 AM
All thanks to people who participated in SJ rally and IV for hosting it.
I also left a comment for editor as a note of thanks..
In any issue these days media support is must and with our unity in IV, we are able to get that.
Way to go..
I also left a comment for editor as a note of thanks..
In any issue these days media support is must and with our unity in IV, we are able to get that.
Way to go..
sidd
07-04 10:44 AM
Rayyan,
Here is my experience. I attended interview at Chennai Consulate on 06/23/08 (H1 approval notice - 2006). Got my passport back in 2 days. No PIMS delay as my info was already in their system. My daughter (H4 approval notice - 2006 and principal applicant is my husband) attended the interview on the same day. However, her info was not available in PIMS. They kept the passport and said it will be sent within a week. I sent an email (to ChennaiNIV@state.gov) on 07/02. They sent a reply asking me to contact them again in 3 days. By God's grace, she received her stamped passport on 07/04.
Now, answers to your questions:
Chennai appointments slots are normally open 3-4 weeks in advance. Make an appointment accordingly.
I think the info is added to PIMS on a routine basis. Making an appointment does not seem to have any effect. If, on the day of your interview, your info is there in PIMS, it is there. Otherwise, you will have to wait till the time they add it.
I normally go to Chennai as that is my regional consulate.
I am not aware of any specific way to make them add your info to PIMS (if it is already not there) before you actually attend the interview.
We have always followed one very successful strategy in all our visa dealings with US consulate namely, PRAY TO GOD.
All the very best for your interview.
Disclaimer: I am not a legal expert on visa stamping procedures or on any of the issues discussed above. These are all my opinions/assumptions only purely based on my experience.
Hi sk76012w,
Congrats and thanks for sharing your experience. I would really appreciate if you can reply to my couple of questions:
1. Was it a H1B renewal for yourself?
2. Your approval notice was approx. for which month of 2006?
3. As I can make out, your daughter attended the interview with the H1 Approval Notice of your husband? And that means, the information for your husband's H1 petition was not there in PIMS. Am I right here? Can you please let me know which month/year your husband's approval notice was for?
Thanks.
Here is my experience. I attended interview at Chennai Consulate on 06/23/08 (H1 approval notice - 2006). Got my passport back in 2 days. No PIMS delay as my info was already in their system. My daughter (H4 approval notice - 2006 and principal applicant is my husband) attended the interview on the same day. However, her info was not available in PIMS. They kept the passport and said it will be sent within a week. I sent an email (to ChennaiNIV@state.gov) on 07/02. They sent a reply asking me to contact them again in 3 days. By God's grace, she received her stamped passport on 07/04.
Now, answers to your questions:
Chennai appointments slots are normally open 3-4 weeks in advance. Make an appointment accordingly.
I think the info is added to PIMS on a routine basis. Making an appointment does not seem to have any effect. If, on the day of your interview, your info is there in PIMS, it is there. Otherwise, you will have to wait till the time they add it.
I normally go to Chennai as that is my regional consulate.
I am not aware of any specific way to make them add your info to PIMS (if it is already not there) before you actually attend the interview.
We have always followed one very successful strategy in all our visa dealings with US consulate namely, PRAY TO GOD.
All the very best for your interview.
Disclaimer: I am not a legal expert on visa stamping procedures or on any of the issues discussed above. These are all my opinions/assumptions only purely based on my experience.
Hi sk76012w,
Congrats and thanks for sharing your experience. I would really appreciate if you can reply to my couple of questions:
1. Was it a H1B renewal for yourself?
2. Your approval notice was approx. for which month of 2006?
3. As I can make out, your daughter attended the interview with the H1 Approval Notice of your husband? And that means, the information for your husband's H1 petition was not there in PIMS. Am I right here? Can you please let me know which month/year your husband's approval notice was for?
Thanks.
more...
sobers
03-29 04:06 PM
This should provide some food for thought for any standalone bill for skilled, legal immigrant reform, if it comes to that.
With the contrbutions high skilled (EB) immigrants make to the country's innovation and competitveness, the much needed science and math skills they bring, and the high taxes they pay, it is clear such immigrants are a net gain to the economy.
=--------------
WALL STREET JOURNAL
March 27, 2006, 3:10 pm
The Numbers Behind the Numbers
As Congress debates legislation that would double the number of visas available for highly-skilled workers, Census officials release numbers highlighting contributions by Asian-born immigrants to the U.S. economy.
Of the 14 million Asians in the U.S., half of those over age 25 have at least a bachelor�s degree and 20% have a master�s degree or higher � the highest education level of any racial group.
Median family income, at $57,500, also is the highest, with half of Asian Indians earning $69,000 or more. Asians owned 1.1 million owned businesses in 2004, up 24% since 1997, the Census Bureau fact sheet said.
High tech executives have been lobbying heavily for an increase in the visa cap for high-skill workers, a majority of whom are Asians. All four versions of the immigration bill now before the Senate would double the number of so-called H1B temporary visas to 115,000 and also double the number of employment-based green cards to 290,000. Exemptions from those limits for students currently working on science and technology degrees in the U.S. � most of whom also are Asian � would increase high-skilled immigration still further if any of the bills becomes law.
�June Kronholz
With the contrbutions high skilled (EB) immigrants make to the country's innovation and competitveness, the much needed science and math skills they bring, and the high taxes they pay, it is clear such immigrants are a net gain to the economy.
=--------------
WALL STREET JOURNAL
March 27, 2006, 3:10 pm
The Numbers Behind the Numbers
As Congress debates legislation that would double the number of visas available for highly-skilled workers, Census officials release numbers highlighting contributions by Asian-born immigrants to the U.S. economy.
Of the 14 million Asians in the U.S., half of those over age 25 have at least a bachelor�s degree and 20% have a master�s degree or higher � the highest education level of any racial group.
Median family income, at $57,500, also is the highest, with half of Asian Indians earning $69,000 or more. Asians owned 1.1 million owned businesses in 2004, up 24% since 1997, the Census Bureau fact sheet said.
High tech executives have been lobbying heavily for an increase in the visa cap for high-skill workers, a majority of whom are Asians. All four versions of the immigration bill now before the Senate would double the number of so-called H1B temporary visas to 115,000 and also double the number of employment-based green cards to 290,000. Exemptions from those limits for students currently working on science and technology degrees in the U.S. � most of whom also are Asian � would increase high-skilled immigration still further if any of the bills becomes law.
�June Kronholz
xela
11-12 10:23 AM
Sounds liek a great idea, I am right there with you, because this just makes no sense.
more...
skannan
06-02 01:30 PM
I agree with smuggy, we do not fight hard to get money because
We don't really work that hard to make that money, If you worked during your undergraduate years in slaughter houses like McDonalds and Pizza hut, you would know what the value of money today, most of them are paid by their parents,
Most of the desis are creative but lazy at work (esp. people in my company), so they work long hours, Can not read complicated text, especially from Insurance companies
and some of them are look backwards as lawsuits are taboo, terrible balance between work and life, procrastination, and finally, not understanding of how to make use of simple, dummy proof American legal system to solve tiny and simple problems like insurance payments and rejections.
We don't really work that hard to make that money, If you worked during your undergraduate years in slaughter houses like McDonalds and Pizza hut, you would know what the value of money today, most of them are paid by their parents,
Most of the desis are creative but lazy at work (esp. people in my company), so they work long hours, Can not read complicated text, especially from Insurance companies
and some of them are look backwards as lawsuits are taboo, terrible balance between work and life, procrastination, and finally, not understanding of how to make use of simple, dummy proof American legal system to solve tiny and simple problems like insurance payments and rejections.
jaggu bhai
08-23 10:20 AM
Folks
Pl advise on our situation
My wife is going to start her masters here.
My I 140 approved in EB3, with PD May'2009.
Few people are saying not to shift her visa from H4 to F1 as anytime, some miracle is going to happen and we would be able to file I 485.
Need ur advise on my situation i.e, whether to shift her to F1 status:confused:.
Thanks
Jaggu
Pl advise on our situation
My wife is going to start her masters here.
My I 140 approved in EB3, with PD May'2009.
Few people are saying not to shift her visa from H4 to F1 as anytime, some miracle is going to happen and we would be able to file I 485.
Need ur advise on my situation i.e, whether to shift her to F1 status:confused:.
Thanks
Jaggu
more...
walker15
04-06 06:38 PM
Hi tabletpc,
Sorry to hear that your father is admitted in hospital. Hope everything will be fine.
As a returning H1B employee you are eligible for emergency appt. Eventhough you don't see vacant spots, you should keep logging frequently to grab cancellations(vacant) appts.
FYI: I just browsed and saw many appts available for the month of April for WORKING IN THE USA OPTION.
Good luck
Sorry to hear that your father is admitted in hospital. Hope everything will be fine.
As a returning H1B employee you are eligible for emergency appt. Eventhough you don't see vacant spots, you should keep logging frequently to grab cancellations(vacant) appts.
FYI: I just browsed and saw many appts available for the month of April for WORKING IN THE USA OPTION.
Good luck
misanthrope
10-09 04:06 PM
Why do we have 5 threads for the same topic? I believe there is a sticky thread to address such questions. Right?
more...
solaris27
02-29 08:32 AM
its common RFF for 140.
Just ask your company to provide all required docs .
Just ask your company to provide all required docs .
srikondoji
10-18 04:49 PM
I will vigorously start buying megamillions and powerball tickets twice as musch as i do now. Atleast getting powerball lottery is better than getting GC through EB2 and EB3 category probability wise.
go powerball
go megamillions
go powerball
go megamillions
more...
prem_goel
07-29 07:36 PM
Ann as always you are so upto the point and quote a valid source in your reply. Thank you so much.
Green.Tech
03-12 05:56 PM
If you are looking for career change PT MBA is not a good option,you can do PT MBA if you are typically further along in career, often on track for advancement to senior management and you need to balance heavy course load in addition to work and family. I'll be graduating this May from Wharton (Executive MBA) I'm already started getting lucrative offers from consulting firms but unfortuately my I-140 is still pending
So, will the new jobs "change" your job description to render AC-21 ineffective (similar or same category job etc.)?
So, will the new jobs "change" your job description to render AC-21 ineffective (similar or same category job etc.)?
eb3_nepa
06-22 09:16 AM
Agree.
Initial Evidence for I-485 includes
1. Copy of approved I-140 (or concurrent filing or I-140 receipt)
2. Employment Letter (for GC job)
3. Proof that person is maintaining valid status in USA since last entry in USA
Not a legal advice
----------------------------------
Permanent Resident since May 2002
When you say
Proof that person is maintaining valid status in USA since last entry in USA
What documents prove that exactly?
Initial Evidence for I-485 includes
1. Copy of approved I-140 (or concurrent filing or I-140 receipt)
2. Employment Letter (for GC job)
3. Proof that person is maintaining valid status in USA since last entry in USA
Not a legal advice
----------------------------------
Permanent Resident since May 2002
When you say
Proof that person is maintaining valid status in USA since last entry in USA
What documents prove that exactly?
waitin_toolong
10-29 02:13 PM
H4 people used to use TaxID instead of SSN in their tax returns (joint filing for ex.). What do they use when they get SSN after EAD ? Do they use SSN or just the Tax ID. Is there any requirement that they inform IRS that they got SSN and start using it instead ?
If you read the letter that came with ITIn it says that when you obtain SSN then send a copy of SSN and ITIn to IRS informing them of the change.
Till last year changing to SSN required paper filing of taxes, but now has made a provision in e-filing to accomodate the change, but I would personally give plenty of room (time wise) to avoid any bugs that might be there in the system.
If you read the letter that came with ITIn it says that when you obtain SSN then send a copy of SSN and ITIn to IRS informing them of the change.
Till last year changing to SSN required paper filing of taxes, but now has made a provision in e-filing to accomodate the change, but I would personally give plenty of room (time wise) to avoid any bugs that might be there in the system.
eastindia
07-29 11:01 AM
Why did you use a sub labor? Is it the same employer you are working with now? Is the employer blacklisted? This answer may throw some light on your denial.
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