Beware of Unregistered EB-5 Promoters
Since 2023, the U.S. government requires all persons and companies engaged in promoting investments in the EB-5 immigration program to register with USCIS before promoting investments, and thereafter, to remain in compliance with the USCIS rules. Applicants not working through a registered agent risk denial of their EB-5 visa petition. Donoso & Partners, a leading […]
USCIS Extends H1B Lottery Registration to 03/20
Washington, D.C, March 17, 2023: On Thursday, March 16, 2023, some users were not able to complete the H-1B registration process. USCIS has corrected this technical issue and will now accept registrations until 5:00 p.m. Eastern on Monday, March 20, 2023. Please note that any paid and completed registrations were not affected by this technical […]
Canada Issues 7,000 Invitations in the Third All-Program Express Entry of 2023
On March 15, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited a total of 7,000 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence in its 3 rd All Program draws for this year. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off was 490 Points. Candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades […]
USCIS Removes Biometrics Requirement for Form I-526E Petitioners
On March 15, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the biometrics submission requirement and US$85 fee requirement for petitioners filing Form I-526E (Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor) are no longer in effect. Ques: Why USCIS eliminates the biometrics submission and fee requirement? Ans: USCIS determined that biometrics fee collection is not […]
What Do U.S. Banking Woes Mean for the EB-5 Program?
Washington D.C., March 13, 2023: News broke over the weekend that three U.S. banks were being shuttered by U.S. banking regulators because they were experiencing financial constraints. Of these three banks, one would be familiar to many EB-5 investors: Signature Bank. Many EB-5 Regional Centers used Signature Bank as their escrow bank. Thus, many EB-5 […]
Ready For Take-off: The U.S. International Entrepreneur Parole Program
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services finally issued comprehensive guidance on parole for international entrepreneurs. The International Entrepreneur Parole program (IEP) was launched on January 17, 2017, with the stated purpose of spurring entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation in the United States. The IEP program provides “parole” to foreign entrepreneurs that qualify. Parole means that the […]
USCIS Expands Premium Processing
Washington, D.C., March 8, 2023: USCIS recently announced that it is expanding premium processing to additional forms. In March, USCIS is expanding premium processing to certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking STEM OPT extensions who have a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. In April 2023, USCIS will […]
USCIS To Start Collecting Fee for EB-5 Integrity Fund
On March 1, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a Federal Register Notice informing that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will start collecting fees for the EB-5 Integrity Fund to administer EB-5 Regional Center Program, as required under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA). Ques: Who must pay the […]
Indian Residents to Pay Higher Tax on Foreign Remittances
On February 1, 2023, Indian Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman announced the union budget for the financial year 2023. According to which, the Tax Collected at Source (“TCS”) for foreign outward remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (“LRS”) will be increased from 5% to 20%. TCS on remittances made under the LRS was introduced in the […]
March 2023 Visa Bulletin Brings Retrogression
Washington, DC, February 15, 2023: The US Department of State released the March Visa Bulletin today. All employment based preference categories for Indian born applicants retrogressed. The EB-1 classification retrogressed to February 1, 2022 for both India and China. Interestingly, EB-5 immigrant investor “reserved” categories remain Current and available. Reserved EB-5 visas are reserved for […]