What is an I‑956 Application for the EB‑5 visa in the US?

The EB-5 Visa Program allows foreign investors to obtain a US Green Card by investing in American businesses or projects. This investment is expected to create jobs and stimulate the US economy. 

How to get an EB‑5 visa to the USA

Business investments. To qualify for the EB‑5 visa, one must make a significant investment in a new commercial enterprise in the US. The minimum amount is generally $1,050,000+ but can be reduced to $800,000+ if the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area: a rural area or an area with high unemployment.

Creation of jobs. The investment must provide at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers within a specified period, usually within two years of the investor’s admission to the United States as a Conditional Permanent Resident.

Regional Centers. Many EB‑5 investors invest through Regional Centers. These centres are designated by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and sponsor capital investment projects for EB‑5 investors.

Conditional Green Card. Upon approval of the EB‑5 investment and petition, the investor and their immediate family members, like the spouse and children under 21, are granted conditional permanent residence for two years.

After the conditional period, the applicant must prove that the investment has met the job-creation requirements to have the conditions removed and become a permanent resident.

Pathway to citizenship. Like other Green Card holders, EB‑5 investors are eligible to apply for US citizenship after 5 years of permanent residency.

The I‑956 Application, formally known as the Application for Regional Center Designation, is a necessary document for EB‑5 visa investors working through Regional Centers. The form is used to establish a new Regional Center or amend the designation of an existing one.

Regional Centers are organisations that sponsor capital investment projects for EB‑5 investors and are a popular choice for many applicants due to their ability to pool investments and focus on indirect job creation.

By completing the I‑956, investors can prove to USCIS that their project meets the criteria for job creation and economic impact — a key requirement of the EB‑5 program. This form helps to ensure that the investment aligns with the program’s objectives and allows the investors to continue in their pursuit of US residency.

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The I‑956 Application is intended for organisations that want to establish or reclassify themselves as Regional Centers under the EB‑5 visa program. This includes private or public economic organisations that promote economic growth through increased export sales, improved regional productivity, job creation, or increased domestic capital investment.

To file the I‑956, the organisation must demonstrate their compliance with the EB‑5 visa criteria.

Business plan showing how the proposed Regional Center will promote economic growth. This plan should detail the proposed activities of the Regional Center, the geographic area it will serve, and how it will focus on specific industries or sectors.

Economic impact analysis demonstrates how the Regional Center’s activities will create jobs and boost the economy in its designated area.

Geographic location. The application must define the geographic area that the Regional Center will cover. This area should be related to the business activities of the Regional Center.

Compliance with securities laws. The organisation must also follow US securities laws to maintain integrity and transparency in the investment process.

Organisational structure and people involved. The application should outline the organisational structure of the Regional Center, including key personnel, their qualifications and roles.

1. The EB‑5 Visa allows foreign investors to obtain US Green Cards by investing in American businesses or projects, with an expectation of job creation and boosting the economy.

2. The investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers within two years of the investor’s admission as a Conditional Permanent Resident.

3. Many investors use Regional Centers — organisations approved by USCIS to pool investments and focus on direct and indirect job creation.

4. The I‑956 Application is used to establish or amend Regional Center designations in the EB‑5 program.

5. The I‑956 Application requires a business plan, economic impact analysis, geographic location definition, compliance with securities laws, and details of the people involved in the Regional Center.

6. The application process consists of gathering the necessary documentation, filling out the I‑956 Form, and submitting it with a $17,795 filing fee. The additional Form I‑956H and a biometric services fee of $85 are required for each person involved.