Late Friday night the U.S. Congress passed and President Obama signed a short-term funding bill (H.R. 2028) known as a continuing resolution that extends funding for the U.S. government through April 28, 2017.  The bill includes a provision continuing the EB-5 regional center program unchanged through the same date.

Inclusion of the EB-5 regional center program in the funding bill avoids a lapse in the program.  That means that EB-5 petitions can be filed under current rules through April 28.

Congressional staffers have been working behind the scenes on major reforms to the EB-5 program, including an increase in the minimum investment amount.  However, a final package isn’t ready yet.  That is why Congress extended the EB-5 regional center program without any changes until April 28.  During that time Miller Mayer and other EB-5 industry leaders will work with Congress toward long-term reauthorization and sensible reforms to the EB-5 regional center program.

Although there are no immediate changes to the EB-5 program, immigration filing fees will increase starting December 23.  For the EB-5 program, the I-526 filing fee will increase to $3,675.  The I-829 filing fee will stay unchanged at $3,750.  The I-924 filing fee for new or amended regional center petitions will almost triple, to $17,795.  And the I-924A annual report by regional centers, which currently has no filing fee, will have a filing fee of $3,035.  Individuals and regional centers that want to avoid these filing fee increases need to submit their petitions to Miller Mayer promptly.