Second Wind EB-5

19/12/2025

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/19/trump-suspends-us-green-card-lottery-dv1-visa-program

Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem pauses high-profile visa program, saying shooting suspect Claudio Neves Valente gained green card in 2017

18/12/2025

The U.S. Expands Entry Restrictions for Foreign Nationals

The Trump administration has updated U.S. visa and entry restrictions. Effective January 1, 2026, entry to the United States will be fully or partially restricted for nationals of 39 countries, up from 19 previously.

🔴 Full entry bans now apply to nationals of 20 countries, including Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, as well as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Laos, and Sierra Leone. The ban also applies to individuals traveling on documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.

🟠 Partial restrictions affect nationals of an additional 19 countries, primarily limiting entry under common visa categories such as B (visitor), F (student), M (vocational), J (exchange), and certain immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.

🟡 Exemptions are предусмотрены for:
Individuals traveling on a second passport from a non-restricted country
Holders of diplomatic visas, as well as UN and NATO visas
Certain special categories (including athletes and other narrowly defined groups)

ℹ️ Turkmenistan has seen a partial easing of restrictions: entry under nonimmigrant visas is now permitted, while immigrant visa restrictions remain in place.

📌 Full country-specific details and legal scope of the restrictions are published on the White House website:
👉 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/

12/12/2025

Trump Officially Launches the “Gold Card” Visa Program

President Donald Trump has announced the launch of the Trump Gold Card – a new immigration pathway to the United States for wealthy foreign nationals willing to contribute at least $1 million. The idea was first floated in early 2025, but for months it existed mostly as bold statements without clear details. Now the program has been officially introduced, although many aspects remain unclear.

💰 Program Costs:

- $1 million – for individual applicants
- $2 million – for companies sponsoring a foreign employee
- $5 million – for the upcoming Platinum Gold Card, expected to include additional tax benefits

The process begins with an application and a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee. If the application is approved, the applicant must then pay the main contribution: $1 million for individuals or $2 million for companies applying on behalf of an employee. You can add family members to the application, but each one requires a separate non-refundable $15,000 fee and the corresponding main contribution of either $1 million or $2 million.

According to the administration, the Gold Card is tied to the EB-1 (extraordinary ability) and EB-2 (advanced degree / exceptional ability) categories as its legal foundation.

🔍What About the EB-5 Program?

➡️ EB-5 remains fully active and unchanged.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program continues to offer a transparent, well-regulated pathway that has existed since 1990. It is based on proven job-creation requirements and offers the possibility of recouping the invested capital, with a minimum investment threshold of $800,000. The entire family receives Green Cards – the principal investor, spouse, and children under 21 – with no additional investment required.

While the Gold Card may eventually develop into a parallel immigration route, for now it is expensive, lacks clarity, and comes with no guarantee of long-term political support.

👉Official website: http://trumpcard.gov

24/11/2025

⚠️ Important: EB-5 Fees Temporarily Reduced by Court Order

On November 12, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado issued a decision that halts the EB-5 fee increases that took effect in April 2024.

As a result, USCIS is now required to accept the previous, lower fees that were in place before March 31, 2024. USCIS disagrees with the ruling but has already begun implementing it.

📝 Why the Court Made This Decision

The court found that the Department of Homeland Security violated requirements of the Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) of 2022, which mandates that any EB-5 fee increases must be supported by a specific EB-5-related fee analysis designed to improve petition processing times.

However, the 2024 EB-5 fee hike was introduced as part of a broad, agency-wide USCIS fee adjustment, without the separate EB-5-specific analysis required under RIA 2022.

💵 Updated Lower EB-5 Fees for Investors (Effective Now)

- I-526 / I-526E (initial EB-5 petition): $3,675
(previously $11,160)
- I-829 (petition to remove conditions): $3,750
(previously $9,525)

This means EB-5 investors save over $13,000 across the two main stages of the process.

Temporary Nature of the Fee Reduction

It is important to understand that this reduction is temporary. USCIS has already completed the EB-5-specific fee analysis required by RIA 2022, and new fee levels are already moving through the approval process. Once finalized, EB-5 fees may rise again.

Learn more: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/court-order-on-partial-stay-of-dhs-2024-uscis-fee-rule

21/11/2025

🏡 Top 10 Wealthiest US Suburbs: Where Successful Families Are Moving

The new ranking of America's most affluent suburbs reveals fascinating trends in high-net-worth family migration. The study is based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 data and real estate market analysis through May 2025.

Top 10 Cities by Home Value
Absolute Leaders of the Rating:

🥇 Scarsdale, New York — $1,207,528 average home value
🥈 Rye, New York — $1,875,248
🥉 West University Place, Texas — $982,834
4. Los Altos, California — $4,562,702
5. Alamo, California — $2,550,706
6. University Park, Texas — $2,456,871
7. Southlake, Texas — $1,290,325
8. Hinsdale, Illinois — $1,234,894
9. Orinda, California — $1,993,154
10. Wellesley, Massachusetts — $2,079,414

Geography of Wealth:
• New York — traditional leaders with growing real estate values
• California — tech hubs with highest home prices
• Texas — fast-growing suburbs with accessible luxury real estate
• Florida — tax advantages and luxurious waterfront estates

The research analyzed: household income dynamics, changes in real estate value through 2025, price stability in the premium segment, and migration patterns of affluent families.

Full ranking and methodology: https://ceoworld.biz/2025/09/04/high-income-havens-the-50-wealthiest-suburbs-in-the-u-s-for-ultra-affluent-families

23/10/2025

💼 EB-5 Fee Cuts on the Horizon — What It Means for Investors

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to introduce a new rule that would reduce EB-5 filing fees and introduce several technical clarifications to streamline the program.

📅 The proposed regulation is scheduled for release on October 23, 2025, followed by a public comment period, and would become effective 60 days after final approval.

What’s changing:

New Form I-527: created for investors whose Regional Center was terminated or debarred — especially relevant for those who filed before March 2022 and are still awaiting adjudication. The new form provides a clear mechanism to move these cases forward.

Reduced filing fees for investors: the proposal suggests lowering the cost of key investor petitions by about $1,500 each. Under the new rule,
- Form I-526E (initial investor petition) would be $9,625 instead of $11,160,
- Form I-829 (petition to remove conditions) would drop to $7,860 instead of $9,525.
- Technical correction for dependents: Form I-829 will now allow family members to be included under one filing if the principal investor passes away before submission.

These adjustments aim to improve program efficiency, make EB-5 participation more affordable, and ensure that filing fee revenue is used directly to support the Investor Program Office (IPO) — not other USCIS divisions.

Learn more: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2025-19642/employment-based-immigrant-visa-fifth-preference-eb-5-fee-rule

17/10/2025

What are benefits of the EB-5 Program for project developers and communities?

For project developers, the EB-5 Program offers access to flexible capital that is often structured as subordinated debt or equity and used to complete or expand a variety of commercial developments. It can help bridge financing gaps, attract other funding sources, and strengthen project feasibility.

For communities, EB-5 investments generate local employment, increase tax revenue, and spur infrastructure development—particularly in underserved areas like Rural Areas and High-Unemployment Areas. The program’s ability to align private capital with public benefit has made it a valuable tool for local and regional economic development.
The program's ability to align private investment with public interests makes it a powerful tool for regional development.

Want to better understand EB-5 project structures?

Read our detailed article on project selection and evaluation:
https://sweb5.com/articles/eb5-project-structure/

10/10/2025

EB-5 in 2025: Record-Breaking Approvals & Unprecedented Demand

Fresh USCIS data for Q3 FY2025 is out — and it confirms the EB-5 program is experiencing historic growth.

Key takeaways from the new IIUSA report:

✅ Record-High I-526E Approvals
1,047 I-526E petitions approved in a single quarter — the highest number since the RIA was passed in 2022.

✅ Unprecedented EB-5 Demand
5,089 investor petitions filed in just the first three quarters of FY2025 — already surpassing the TOTAL for all of FY2024. This represents over $4.1 billion in new EB-5 investment.

✅ Consistently High Approval Rate
94% — the average I-526E approval rate in FY2025. USCIS maintains high standards despite significantly increased adjudication volumes.

⚠️ Important considerations:
• Growing backlog of pending I-526E petitions
• Sharp increase in denial rates for pre-RIA I-526 cases
• Cut-off dates for reserved visas may be established soon

🎯 What does this mean for investors?
Now is the optimal time to file: high approval chances + all visa categories remain "current." But with such demand growth, queues are inevitable.

Read the full report on the official IIUSA website: https://iiusa.org

02/10/2025

Get a Green Card Through Investment in Exclusive EB-5 Project in Texas: Only 7 Investor Spots

We are pleased to share an exclusive EB-5 opportunity: Dudley Sports Plaza in The Woodlands, Texas

The Woodlands, Texas — ranked #2 Best Place to Live in America in 2025 (Niche.com) — is now home to a 75,000 sq. ft. sports & family entertainment complex under development, open for EB-5 investment.

✔ Only 7 EB-5 investor spots
✔ Fully funded & 100% pre-leased
✔ Anchor tenants: Elite Pickleball Club & Slick City Action Park
✔ TEA Qualified – minimum investment $800,000
✔ Target repayment: 3 years

Who is this project for?

✨ If you are already in the U.S. — or even in Texas — you can meet the developers in person, tour the site, and see the project’s progress first-hand.
✨ If you are abroad but seeking a real, reliable, small-scale EB-5 project, Dudley Sports Plaza is led by developers who invested their own capital and are personally committed to its success.

🎥 You can already start exploring the project with video overview — https://youtu.be/M-4J_FsMXZg?si=DCGu2uOQPx71SZMH

For more information, visit the website — https://www.sportsdevelopers.com/eb5

⏳ Why timing matters: Investors have until September 30, 2026 to apply under the current grandfathering rule, which protects applications from any future program changes. Starting in 2027, the minimum EB-5 investment will increase. Learn more: https://sweb5.com/articles/invest-in-eb5-before-september-2026/

👉 Want to receive the full presentation or schedule a call? Send us a request [email protected]

29/09/2025

Invest in EB-5 Before September 2026 — Here's Why

The key date for EB-5 investors is September 30, 2026.

Only those who manage to file their I-526/E petition before this date will benefit from grandfathering protection. This means their case will be processed under the rules in effect at the time of filing, even if the program changes or is suspended afterwards.

3 Reasons to Act Now:

1. Lock in the Investment Amount: In 2027, the minimum investment amount is set to increase, adjusted for inflation. The current minimum is $800,000.
2. Protect Against Risks: The grandfathering rule shields your case from potential future changes to the program. The crucial step is to file your application before the September 30, 2026 deadline.
3. Avoid New Fee Hikes: Government filing fees have already surged, and USCIS is preparing another increase.

Our article provides realistic processing timelines for 2025, an analysis of political risks, and more details on why this year is worth considering for your application: https://sweb5.com/articles/invest-in-eb5-before-september-2026