| It is not always realized that the EB-5 investor visa | | | | there will a considerable increase in the popularity of |
| program (which for a $500,000 investment allows | | | | the US EB-5 as the most economical option, meaning |
| permanent residence for a family in the U.S.A.) is due | | | | quotas could be quickly reached. |
| to finish (time out) in 2012. There are no guarantees it | | | | The increase in cost of the Canadian immigrant |
| will necessarily be renewed in its current format. | | | | investor program has also raised concerns that the |
| Although the program is due to expire in 2012 and | | | | U.S. could also consider raising the $500,000 |
| there have been a number of plans made in Congress | | | | investment level, particularly in an economic climate |
| to make it a permanent program, this is no certainty. | | | | when raising capital is seen as a major priority. |
| The political situation is not clear coming up to midterm | | | | Another issue that could impact on the availability of |
| elections in 2010. Although the President categorized | | | | the visa has been increasing awareness of the EB-5, |
| immigration reform as high on his agenda it is not a | | | | particularly in Asian countries where there has been a |
| popular issue with many of the electorate at a time of | | | | considerable rise in the numbers opting for the EB-5 |
| high unemployment. Indeed immigration reform may be | | | | immigration path. The program has been highly |
| seen by many politicians as a vote loser. | | | | marketed, particularly in China, with some agents |
| Some have argued that the extension of the EB=5 | | | | earning huge commission payments on particular |
| regional center program should be a certainty as the | | | | programs, raising concerns about the suitability of |
| program is a source of valuable capital into the USA. | | | | some of the programs they are recommending. |
| After all with each successful regional center | | | | Further evidence that the quota of visas could be |
| immigrant investing $500,000 in the USA and the | | | | reached are signs of growing concerns with other visa |
| potential for several thousand green cards, the capital | | | | options. Widespread overseas media coverage of |
| contribution to the USA is significant. | | | | difficulties with the E2 visa, which does not provide |
| However, politics are not necessarily just based on | | | | permanent residence and can lead to deportation, has |
| economic logic as other factors can play a part. For | | | | caused a lot of dissatisfaction. Another previous |
| example some of the Hispanic members in Congress | | | | favorite, the H1B has become more difficult in relation |
| are focused on reform that benefits their constituents | | | | to obtaining employment sponsorship in the current |
| and without it may block other forms of immigration | | | | economic climate. Many aliens currently living in |
| reform, including making the EB-5 a permanent | | | | America on these visas have instead applied for the |
| program. | | | | EB5 to give them much needed peace of mind. |
| There are a number of additional issues which could | | | | An additional reason likely to see an increase in the |
| impact the program in other ways. One of them is the | | | | EB-5 pilot program has been the fact that whereas |
| number of green cards allowed through the EB-5 pilot | | | | previously there was little measurable information on |
| program. So far the full quota of visas has not been | | | | the success or otherwise of this visa there is now |
| used up allowing the visa process to be one of the | | | | clear evidence of its success as the initial investors in |
| quickest, with no waiting lists, however certain factors | | | | certain programs have had their $500,000 investment |
| may mean this could change. One of the most | | | | safely returned. |
| significant is changes in the equivalent immigrant | | | | So the answer to the question "when will the EB-5 |
| investor program in Canada. The Canadian program | | | | investment program end" is not clear-cut. Technically |
| (IIP) had been operating for longer than the EB-5 | | | | the response is 2012 however, the increasing success |
| program in the USA and required an investment of | | | | of the visa and lack of credible options may mean the |
| $400,000 as opposed to the $500,000 for the US | | | | quote numbers are eventually reached and places, |
| program. However, with the cost of the Canadian | | | | particularly in popular and importantly programs, sell out. |
| program doubling to $800,000 it is very probable that | | | | |