10월 11일, 이민을 감독하는 미국 연방 기관인 미국 이민국 (USCIS) 은 투자 프로그램을 통한 미국 거주 프로그램인 EB-5에 필요한 투자 기간 (“지속 기간”이라고 함) 에 대해 오랫동안 기다려온 지침을 발표했습니다.
지침에 따르면 투자자는 단 2년 만에 필요한 80만 달러의 자본을 돌려받을 수 있습니다.EB-5 세계의 많은 사람들이 USCIS가 유지 기간 요건을 명확히 해주기를 기다려왔지만, 10월 11일 USCIS 정책은 지침 자체가 미국 법률에서 요구하는 적절한 절차에 따라 발행되었는지 여부를 포함하여 많은 의문을 남깁니다.
EB-5에 관한 공식 규정은 2022년 3월 15일에 “2022년 EB-5 개혁 및 청렴에 관한 법률” (“RIA)" 이 통과되면서 업데이트되었습니다.모든 공식 법령을 관리하는 연방 기관과 마찬가지로, USCIS는 금지된 절차에 따라 공식 규정을 작성해야 합니다.공개 공지 및 의견 수렴 절차가 필요한 공식적인 규칙 제정 절차를 거쳐야 규정이 법을 관리하는 규칙이 됩니다.
EB-5 프로그램 참여자들은 USCIS에 지침과 규정을 발행할 것을 요청하고 있지만, USCIS가 규칙 제정 절차를 따르지 않는 한 기존 규칙을 변경할 법적 권한이 있는지는 확실하지 않습니다.이는 유지 기간의 경우처럼 기존 규정이 새 법령과 일치하는 것으로 해석될 수 있는 경우에 특히 그렇습니다.
이러한 혼란의 원인은 새 법률 자체의 법적 표현 때문입니다.법에 따르면 이민자가 되려는 사람의 투자금은 “2년 이상 투자 상태를 유지할 것으로 예상”되어 있습니다.EB-5 법률의 “조건 철폐” 또는 투자자가 영구 영주권을 소지한 경우에 관한 조항은 투자자가 투자를 “유지”한다는 구체적인 문구를 없애기 위해 수정되었습니다.그러나 조건 철폐 조항을 통해 투자자는 초기 2년의 조건부 거주 기간 이후에도 계속 자본을 투자한 경우에만 1년의 추가 일자리 창출을 증명할 수 있습니다.
USCIS는 이 두 조항을 단 2년의 적극적인 투자를 요구하는 것으로 해석한 것으로 보입니다.USCIS는 더 나아가 충분한 일자리가 창출될 때까지 초기 투자를 초기 프로젝트에 계속 투자할 것을 요구했습니다.그러나 새 법률에서는 투자자가 상환 자격을 갖추기 전에 초기 투자금을 상환하는 경우 “재배치”도 허용하고 있습니다.
초기 투자가 최소 유지 기간 및 일자리 창출 요건을 충족해야 하는 경우 자본 재배치 요구 사항은 비논리적입니다.법에 따라 해당 자본이 더 오래 투자된 경우에만 일자리 창출을 증명할 수 있는 1년을 더 허용한다면 불과 2년 만에 자본을 인출할 수 있다는 것은 비논리적으로 보입니다.RIA 전체를 읽어보면 새로운 USCIS 지침은 유효하지 않은 것 같습니다.
2년의 투자 일정이 언제 시작되는지에 대한 질문에도 답이 없습니다.USCIS 지침에 따르면 시작일은 투자금 전액이 “일자리를 창출하는 주체가 이용할 수 있는” 날입니다.이때가 EB-5 자금이 지출되는 시점인가요?대출이 마감되었지만 아직 자금이 조달되지 않은 경우?EB-5 자금을 예치하고 일자리를 창출하는 주체가 사용하지 않을 수 있나요?브리지 파이낸싱은 이 계산에 어떤 영향을 미칩니까?이 질문들은 모두 답이 없는 질문들입니다.
결론적으로, EB-5 프로젝트 스폰서는 EB-5 상품을 책임감 있게 구성해야 하며, EB-5 투자자들은 2년 안에 자금을 돌려주기로 약속하는 거래를 서두르면 안 됩니다.현재로서는 EB-5 자금 전액이 JC/차용자에게 이체된 후 최소 2년 동안 초기 프로젝트에 대한 EB-5 투자를 유지하는 것이 가장 안전해 보입니다.이 문제는 향후 법원이나 USCIS 정책에서 다시 제기될 것이 분명하므로 투자자들은 유지 기간에 대한 진행 상황을 지속적으로 파악해야 합니다.더 중요한 것은 규정이 어떻게 변경되었든 그렇지 않든 상관없이 EB-5 투자자는 잠재적 투자에 대한 재정 및 이민 위험을 철저히 평가해야 한다는 것입니다.
에 대해 자세히 알아보려면 EB-5 비자 프로그램 과 피치트리의 EB-5 오퍼링, 연락처 agreene@peachtreegroup.com.
ATLANTA (April 2025) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”) has successfully secured U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) approval for four regional centers:
These approvals allow Peachtree to independently structure and sponsor EB-5 projects within the designated territories, streamlining the investment process and enhancing efficiency in bringing deals to market.
The approved regional centers cover the continental U.S., giving Peachtree a national footprint to expand its EB-5 program. With these approvals, the firm plans to scale its EB-5 efforts, increase deal volume, and seamlessly integrate EB-5 capital into its broader investment strategy.
Peachtree launched its EB-5 program in 2023 with the appointment of Adam Greene as executive vice president. Since then, the program has received three I-956F approvals for hotel developments, including:
The Regional Center approvals, granted by USCIS, represent a critical milestone in facilitating EB-5 investment opportunities. Previously, Peachtree relied on third-party regional centers, which added complexity and extended processing times. Now, with its own approved regional centers, the firm can directly manage and file EB-5 investments, significantly reducing timelines and enhancing control over its platform.
“These approvals mark a major milestone for Peachtree, solidifying our ability to independently execute EB-5 transactions and accelerate our investment initiatives,” Greene said. “With this expanded capacity, we can efficiently sponsor and structure projects, further driving economic development and job creation across the country.”
Peachtree has built a strong reputation in commercial real estate investment, and the newly established regional centers align with its long-term vision of diversifying and optimizing its capital sources.
"Implementing an EB-5 program is an excellent way to access low-cost capital, diversify our funding sources and invest in job-creating projects across the country," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's CEO and managing principal.
The EB-5 visa program allows foreign investors to obtain a green card in exchange for making a significant investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs in the U.S. Under the program, foreign nationals who invest a minimum of $800,000 in a U.S.-based project that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers are eligible to apply for permanent residency in the U.S.
"Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding our EB-5 footprint by increasing the number of qualifying projects and deepening our engagement with EB-5 investors. With a proven investment track record, national reach and execution expertise, Peachtree is well-positioned to leverage these approvals and solidify its leadership in the EB-5 investment sector," Greene added.
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ATLANTA (April 28, 2024) – Peachtree Group("Peachtree") has received its I-956F approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the government agency that oversees the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, for the currently under construction SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Bryce Canyon, Utah.
The I-956F approval, granted by USCIS, marks a crucial step in Peachtree’s ongoing efforts to facilitate investment opportunities through the EB-5 program, which is designed to promote economic growth and job creation in the U.S.
“Securing USCIS approval for this project marks an important milestone,” said Adam Greene, executive vice president of EB-5 at Peachtree. “It highlights our continued focus on structuring and originating capital for high-quality developments that generate economic impact and long-term value for investors and communities.”
Peachtree originated $16.95 million in floating-rate construction financing over a three-year term for the development of a 127-room SpringHill Suites in Bryce Canyon, Utah. The hotel will be located about 10 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park, one of the most iconic natural attractions in the United States. Known for its dramatic geological formations, the park draws more than 2 million visitors annually. The hotel is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
This is the third hotel development for which Peachtree has received I-956F approval, having previously secured it for its Home2 Suites by Hilton development in Boone, N.C.,and TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Palmdale, Calif.
“With strong travel demand, limited new supply and favorable market tail winds, well-located, newly developed assets are positioned to out perform their competitive set,” said Greene. “Construction is already underway, reducing project risk, and the firm has retained an equity stake aligned with our EB-5 investors — reinforcing our commitment and directly tying our success to theirs.”
Peachtree launched its EB-5 program in 2023 as a key financing tool to support job-creating projects nationwide. The firm remains committed to delivering high-quality investment and development opportunities through its expanding portfolio of EB-5 projects.
The EB-5 visa program allows foreign investors to obtain a green card in exchange for making a significant investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs in the U.S. Under the program, foreign nationals who invest a minimum of $800,000 in a U.S.-based project that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers are eligible to apply for permanent residency.
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Navigating the immigration process can be overwhelming, especially for international students and professionals looking to secure their future in the United States. Lance Lee, the Director of Asia-Pacific EB-5 for Peachtree Group, shares his personal journey of coming to the U.S. as an international student, facing the challenges of obtaining a green card, and ultimately using the EB-5 program to secure his future. This is his story of perseverance, career transformation, and the profound impact that obtaining U.S. citizenship has had on his life and family.
Lance Lee's EB-5 Journey: From Student to U.S. Citizen
Lance Lee’s immigration journey began in 2008 when he arrived in the U.S. as an international student, facing the challenges of securing a job during a tough economic time. With his work visa options limited, Lance’s parents urged him to consider how long it might take to obtain a green card, and the answer wasn’t promising. Many of his friends faced decade-long waits for permanent residency. It was his mother’s practical advice “Time is money” that led him to explore alternatives. In 2011, Lance invested in the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, and just eight and a half months later, he received his green card. By 2015, his investment was returned, and he had successfully built his American family, becoming a U.S. citizen with two children born in the U.S.
Lance’s decision to apply for an EB-5 visa instead of relying on traditional student and H1-B work visas was fueled by the realities of the long wait for green cards, especially for applicants from China and India. After graduating in 2010, Lance was left with the daunting prospect of being tied to one employer for years under the H1-B system while waiting for a green card. The EB-5 program provided a faster and more secure path to permanent residency, allowing Lance the freedom to pursue a career that matched his passions, without the restrictions of a work visa.
One of the key reasons Lance turned to EB-5 was the limitations of H1-B visas, which often left workers vulnerable to sudden job loss. He shared stories of friends who, while traveling abroad, were caught off guard by emails informing them of their layoff, leaving them with just 60 days to find a new job or face losing their visa status. With EB-5, Lance was able to bypass these concerns, enabling him to make career decisions with confidence and travel freely without the constant anxiety that comes with the limitations of temporary work visas.
Lance’s journey also taught him valuable lessons about the EB-5 process, and he offers key tips for prospective investors. He emphasizes the importance of partnering with a reputable immigration attorney and recommends visiting the regional center before investing, to establish trust and gain a better understanding of the project. He breaks the EB-5 process into three stages: obtaining a temporary green card, securing the permanent green card, and finally receiving the investment back. For each stage, Lance stresses the importance of being patient and informed, ensuring that the investment meets job creation requirements and understanding how to eventually retrieve the invested funds.
Looking back, Lance reflects on the significant impact the EB-5 program has had on his life and his family’s future. Living in Kuala Lumpur, Lance and his family enjoy the flexibility of being U.S. citizens while gaining valuable cultural exposure in Asia. His children have had the opportunity to travel and learn from different cultures—experiences that wouldn’t have been possible if he had been stuck in a decade-long wait for a green card. Lance’s journey highlights the freedom that comes with making timely decisions and choosing the right path for both personal and professional growth. “Time is money,” he concludes, echoing his mother’s wisdom, as his decision to pursue the EB-5 program allowed him to shape the life he and his family now enjoy.
EB-5 Visa Types Explained