Independent form guide. BrieflyGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by IRS, USCIS, SSA, DOL, or any U.S. government agency. Official forms are sourced from public government websites.
Official form guide
Form I-956: Application for Regional Center Designation
USCIS Form I-956 is used to apply for designation as a regional center under the EB-5 immigrant investor program. This form should be filed when an entity seeks to become a USCIS-approved regional center that can facilitate immigrant investor visa petitions.
Need help with Form I-956?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of Form I-956.
Start filling →Form Overview
USCIS Form I-956 - Application for Regional Center Designation
USCIS Form I-956 is used to apply for designation as a regional center under the EB-5 immigrant investor program. This form should be filed when an entity seeks to become a USCIS-approved regional center that can facilitate immigrant investor visa petitions.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Regional center designation applications require a comprehensive business plan with detailed economic analysis; incomplete plans are the most common reason for denial.
- 2Incomplete business plan that doesn't demonstrate job creation potential
- 3Insufficient economic analysis of the proposed service area
- 4Unclear explanation of how the regional center will operate
- 5Missing required supporting documentation
Plain English
Form I-956 is the application to become a regional center that connects immigrant investors with job-creating projects in the United States. Regional centers help facilitate EB-5 visa investments by pooling funds from multiple investors into projects that create American jobs.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Applications should be filed when an entity has developed a comprehensive business plan and is ready to begin facilitating EB-5 investments. There is no specific deadline, but processing times can vary significantly.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use this form when your organization seeks EB-5 regional center designation
- Do not use this form for individual EB-5 investor petitions (use Form I-526 instead)
- Check Form I-956 supplement if applying for redesignation of an existing regional center
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Applying for individual EB-5 investor status
For individual investors seeking permanent residency through investment
✓ Different eligibility requirements and process
Seeking to redesignate an existing regional center
For changing the geographic area or focus of an existing regional center
✓ Requires additional documentation of new service area
Applying for regional center recertification
For extending an existing regional center designation beyond the initial 5-year period
✓ Must demonstrate continued compliance and job creation
Deadline or filing window
There is no specific deadline for filing Form I-956, but applicants should submit the complete application package to avoid unnecessary delays. Processing times can vary significantly, so applications should be submitted well in advance of when the regional center plans to begin facilitating EB-5 investments.
- —Proposed investment amount | Total number of jobs × $1,000,000 | Minimum capital required | Must meet the minimum investment threshold for EB-5 program
- —Number of indirect jobs | Calculated using economic multiplier effect | Total projected jobs | Must be properly documented with economic analysis
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Business plan
Comprehensive business document · Organization's planning documents
Economic analysis
Detailed economic study of service area · Economic reports or studies
Job creation methodology
Documentation of how jobs will be created · Business plan and economic analysis
Organizational structure
Documentation of entity formation · Corporate records
Financial capacity
Bank statements or financial statements · Organization's financial records
Before you submit
- 1Verify all form sections are completed with accurate information
- 2Ensure the application is signed by an authorized representative
- 3Include the correct filing fee payment method
- 4Attach all required supporting documents
- 5Check that business plan includes detailed economic analysis
- 6Verify that service area is clearly defined and justified
- 7Confirm that job creation methodology is thoroughly explained
- 8Review all calculations and figures for accuracy
- 9Make copies of the complete application package for records
How to file this form
- 1Complete Form I-956 with accurate and detailed information
- 2Prepare comprehensive business plan and economic analysis
- 3Gather all required supporting documentation
- 4Calculate and include the correct filing fee
- 5Submit the complete package to the correct USCIS address
- 6Track the application status using the receipt number
- 7Respond promptly to any requests for additional evidence
- 8Maintain records of all communications with USCIS
Known limitations
- 1The form does not guarantee approval of the regional center designation
- 2USCIS may request additional information not specifically listed in the form instructions
- 3Approval does not guarantee that investors using the regional center will receive EB-5 visas
- 4The designation must be renewed every 5 years through a separate application process
- 5Changes to the regional center's service area or focus require a separate application for redesignation
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant Info
3 items
Your current legal name.
MM/DD/YYYY.
Alien Registration Number if previously assigned.
Details
1 items
The specific reason or legal basis for filing this form.
Evidence
1 items
List of documents supporting this application.
Signatures
2 items
Sign under penalty of perjury.
MM/DD/YYYY.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The form is currently active and accepted by USCIS, but applicants should verify the latest version and requirements on the official USCIS website before filing.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date: Check the USCIS website for the current version of Form I-956
- Fee: Verify the current filing fee amount on the USCIS Fee Calculator
- Mailing address: Confirm the correct submission address, which may vary based on application type
- Signature requirements: Ensure the application is properly signed by an authorized representative
- Supporting documents: Include all required evidence as specified in the form instructions
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a copy of the complete application package for your records
- 2Monitor the application status using the receipt number
- 3Respond promptly to any requests for additional evidence
- 4Maintain documentation of all investor activities and job creation
- 5Keep track of expiration dates for any required reports or certifications
- 6Prepare for the recertification process before the current designation expires
Sources
- SRCForm I-956 is the official application for regional center designation under the EB-5 program
- SRCThe form requires detailed business plans and economic analysis
- SRCRegional centers must be designated by USCIS to facilitate EB-5 investments
- SRCThe application requires a filing fee that must be paid at submission
- SRCDesignations are initially valid for 5 years and must be recertified
- SRCRegional centers must demonstrate job creation through their investment activities
- SRCThe form is available on the USCIS website and may be updated periodically
- SRCProcessing times for regional center applications can vary significantly
Common confusion points
Regional center vs. direct EB-5 investment
Regional centers pool investments from multiple investors, while direct investment is made by a single investor
→ Check whether your project qualifies for regional center status
Service area definition
The geographic area where the regional center will focus its investment activities
→ Ensure the service area is clearly defined and supported by economic data
Job creation methodology
The specific method used to calculate both direct and indirect jobs created by the investments
→ Document the methodology with economic analysis
Recertification vs. redesignation
Recertification extends the existing designation, while redesignation changes the service area or focus
→ Determine which process applies based on your needs
Investor vs. regional center responsibilities
Regional centers facilitate investments but investors are ultimately responsible for meeting EB-5 requirements
→ Clarify roles and responsibilities in all documentation
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Current
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Never sign without understanding every clause.
BrieflyGo reviews your contracts in plain English — instantly.