Georgia Center

EB-5 Investment Process

Step 1: Pre-Development
Step 2: EB-5 Investment Application
Step 3: USCIS Review
Step 4: Permanent Residency

Step 1: Pre-Development

GCFID Investment Committee approves for EB-5 investment in line with underwriting guidelines

GCFID prepares project specific subscription document, PPM to outline: project, required EB-5 investment, potential returns, job creation forecast, exit opportunities etc.

GCFID sets up project specific companies, related bank escrows, distributes PPM through all marketing channels and briefs all support staff and participants on project scope and investment criteria.

Complete project package (PPM, application forms, supporting USCIS and other information, etc.) and follow up contacts made available to potential investors for due diligence purposes.

Investor reviews materials with local GCFID Marketing Agent and appoint business, legal, immigration and/or tax advisors, as appropriate.

Step 2: EB-5 Investment Application

Potential Investor wishes to undertake investment in specific project and his/her personal advisors, Marketing Agent and GCFID have reviewed application package and confirmed that investor is qualified.
Qualified investor appoints local immigration attorney to assist with the execution of the application and send passport copies to escrow bank for security checks.
Security Check PASSES Qualified Investor submits complete application and places funds (investment plus syndication fee) in escrow.		Security Check FAILS Investor unable to participate in EB-5 program.
Qualified Investor’s local immigration attorney completes I-526 petition on behalf of his client and submits all required documentation to GCFID for review.		Once all documentation is complete, qualified investor’s immigration attorney submits I-526 petition to USCIS together with project documentation provided by GCFID.

Step 3: USCIS Review

USCIS reviews complete I-526 application package.
I-526 IS APPROVED Escrow Agent releases qualified investor’s funds for investment in identified project.		I-526 IS DENIED Escrow Agent returns investment portion of funds to investor.
Qualified investor local immigration attorney submits Immigrant visa application to U.S. Consulate (if investor is overseas) or submits application to adjust at a USCIS Service Center (if investor is in the United States).

Step 4: Permanent Residency

Within 90 days prior to the second year (21-24 months) of the investor’s admission to the U.S. under the EB-5 program, GCFID provide documentation (including impact study) to confirm project progress and required job creation.
Qualified investor’s immigration attorney prepares I-829 petition and submits it to GCFID for review.
Once application is complete, GCFID authorizes investor’s immigration attorney to file the I-829 petition with USCIS.
I-829 IS APPROVED USCIS removes conditional immigration status and investment continues in the project subject to agreed terms and conditions.		I-829 IS DENIED Project Developer returns investment to investor. Investor may choose to invest in another project or withdraw from the EB-5 Program.
Approved investor may file for U.S. citizenship within 90 days of the fifth anniversary from the date permanent U.S. residency was first granted.