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Form I-956: Application for Regional Center Designation
USCIS Form I-956 is used to request designation as a regional center under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 203(b)(5)(E) for entities that pool investments; the form must be filed within 30 days of an address change.
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USCIS Form I-956 - Application for Regional Center Designation
USCIS Form I-956 is used to request designation as a regional center under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 203(b)(5)(E) for entities that pool investments; the form must be filed within 30 days of an address change.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not submit a stamped or typewritten name in place of your handwritten signature on Form I-956.
- 2Filing without attaching all required evidence and supporting documents at the time of filing.
- 3Submitting a stamped or typewritten name instead of an original handwritten signature on Form I-956.
- 4Not specifying the correct Application Type (initial vs. amendment) in Part 1, Item Number 1.
- 5Failing to include Supplement Form I-956H for every person involved with the regional center.
Plain English
This form allows an entity to officially ask U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to recognize it as a regional center. This designation helps promote economic growth by pooling investments in a specific geographic area. Filing this application is necessary when seeking initial designation or requesting changes to an already approved regional center.
Submission Date
- Filing date: For an address change, the regional center must notify USCIS within 30 days of that change occurring. For initial or amendment requests, specific deadlines are not stated on the main instructions page.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when requesting designation as a regional center under INA section 203(b)(5)(E) or seeking an amendment to an approved regional center.
- Do not use this form if you are simply updating contact details without other changes, although the change of address notification can be done via email to the EB-5 Program mailbox.
- Check Form G-1055 when needing specific information regarding applicable filing fees.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Seeking amendment for name change
The form is used to request amendments, including changes to the regional center's name.
✓ Check that Part 1 (or relevant sections) reflects the desired new name.
Notifying address change via email
This method does not negate the requirement to notify USCIS as explained on www.uscis.gov/addresschange.
✓ Confirm you have also followed the general notification requirements.
Deadline or filing window
For changes to the mailing address, the regional center must notify USCIS within 30 days of that change. If exigent circumstances exist, notice must be provided no later than five (5) business days after a change for case-by-case consideration.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
General evidence
All supporting documents listed in Instructions must be submitted at filing time. · Instruction booklet sections (What Evidence Should You Submit/Specific Instructions)
Policies and Procedures
Written policy document describing compliance measures (e.g., internal/external due diligence). · Form I-956 body or attached evidence package
Bona Fides of Persons Involved
Completed Supplement Form I-956H for each person involved with the regional center. · Attached to Form I-956
Certifier's Certification
Signature, Date (mm/dd/yyyy), and Part 9 completion by the Certifier. · Form Page 7
Preparer's Certification
Preparer's signature, name, and date (mm/dd/yyyy). · Form Page 11
Before you submit
- 1Type or print all information legibly in black ink.
- 2Ensure every person involved has completed and attached Supplement Form I-956H.
- 3Attach a written policy document describing policies and procedures ensuring EB-5 program compliance.
- 4Certify the application under penalty of perjury on Page 7, including signature and date.
- 5Have anyone who helped complete the form sign and date it (if not the preparer/authorized individual).
- 6If filing electronically or by copy, ensure the original handwritten ink signature is visible.
- 7Verify that all required evidence listed in the instructions is included with the submission.
How to file this form
- 1Complete Form I-956 using black ink, typing or printing legibly.
- 2Attach a written policy document detailing compliance procedures for the regional center entity.
- 3Ensure every person involved submits their completed Supplement Form I-956H and attaches it to the main form.
- 4Sign and date the application according to Part 7 (Certifier's Certification) and Part 11 (Preparer's Certification).
- 5Submit all required evidence and supporting documents along with the signed Form I-956.
- 6File the completed package by visiting www.uscis.gov/I-956 for current location details, or send it to the EB-5 Program mailbox if changing address.
Known limitations
- 1The Form I-956 does not apply if the entity is seeking designation as a regional center but is not pooling investments and promoting economic growth (including prospective job creation and increased domestic capital investment) in a particular geographic area.
- 2If an amendment is filed, the form must specify whether the change relates to the regional center's name or another type of amendment listed on Item Numbers 2-3.
- 3The Form I-956 does not apply if the filer does not have a United States address for submission.
- 4A USCIS Online Account Number (OAN) is only available if a previously filed form has a receipt number beginning with IOE; this OAN is distinct from an A-Number.
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 current edition of USCIS Form I-956 is dated 04/01/24, and the instructions direct users to visit www.uscis.gov/I-956 for the most current filing information.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm 04/01/24
- Filing Fee — check Form G-1055 for specific fee information.
- Mailing address — visit www.uscis.gov/I-956 for current locations (though email notification is also listed).
- Signature — ensure the original handwritten signature is present on photocopies, faxes, or scans.
- Supplements — confirm that Supplement Form I-956H has been completed and attached by every involved person.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1The filer must keep legible photocopies of requested documents, though USCIS may request the original at any time.
- 2If originals are submitted when not required, USCIS may destroy them after receipt.
- 3If a document is in a foreign language, a full English translation must be submitted along with it.
- 4Filers should check that they have completed all eligibility questions on each accompanying Supplement Form I-956H.
- 5The regional center must provide evidence of policies and procedures to ensure EB-5 program compliance if requested (e.g., a written policy document).
- 6If the application is accepted, USCIS will check it for completeness during initial processing.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Form I-956 is used to request designation as a regional center under INA section 203(b)(5)(E) or to amend an approved regional center.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — If exigent circumstances exist, regional centers must notify USCIS within five (5) business days of a change for case-by-case consideration.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Filers must confirm they reviewed and understood all information and that it was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing.
- SRCInstructions p.3 — If an applicant does not have an OAN, it means they did not file a form with a receipt number beginning with IOE.
- SRCInstructions p.6 — Each person involved must submit Supplement Form I-956H attached to Form I-956, and that supplement must answer all eligibility questions.
- SRCInstructions p.6 — The regional center must notify USCIS of any mailing address change within 30 days of the change.
- SRCInstructions p.7 — Do not mail your completed Form I-956 to the address listed on page 7 (USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy, Regulatory Coordination Division, 5900 Capital Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009).
- SRCInstructions p.3 — The application must include a USCIS Online Account Number (OAN) if available.
Common confusion points
What is the difference between my A-Number and my USCIS Online Account Number (OAN)?
An OAN is only available if a previously filed form has a receipt number starting with IOE; the OAN is not the same as an A-Number.
→ Check your account profile if you filed online, or look at the Account Access Notice if you mailed it.
Do I need to submit originals even if the instructions say photocopies are fine?
Yes, USCIS may request an original document at any time during the process, and they will return it after determining it is no longer needed.
→ Review the specific Instructions for Form I-956 to see if an original is required instead of a copy.
What happens if my application is incomplete?
If the application is not properly completed, the filer will not establish eligibility and USCIS may reject or deny the Form I-956.
→ Verify all fields are filled out accurately before submission.
If I submit an address change notification via email, do I still have to notify USCIS another way?
Yes, sending a notification of address change to the EB-5 Program mailbox does not negate the requirement to notify USCIS as explained on www.uscis.gov/addresschange.
→ Confirm that the method used meets all requirements listed at www.uscis.gov/I-956.
Which item number should I select if my application is an amendment?
The filer must select Item Number 1 to indicate they are submitting an amendment to an approved regional center application.
→ Check Part 1, Item Number 1 on the Form I-956 itself.
What happens if I don't show up for my biometric appointment?
USCIS may deny the application if the filer does not attend their biometric services appointment.
→ Confirm the scheduled date and time for your appointment before sending the Form I-956.
If I have a document in Spanish, what must I submit along with it?
If a document contains information in a foreign language (like Spanish), the filer must also submit a full English translation of that document.
→ Ensure every non-English document submitted has its corresponding complete English translation attached.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
⚠ If something goes wrong
- USCIS may request an original document at any time during the process.
Questions about USCIS Form I-956
What is USCIS Form I-956 used for?
This form allows an entity to officially ask U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to recognize it as a regional center. This designation helps promote economic growth by pooling investments in a specific geographic area. Filing this application is necessary when seeking initial designation or requesting changes to an already approved regional center.
Who must file USCIS Form I-956?
The entity that seeks the designation must file USCIS Form I-956, Application for Regional Center Designation. This applies whether the filing is for an initial request or an amendment to a previously approved status.
What information does USCIS Form I-956 require?
Part 1 of Form I-956 identifies the application type (initial or amendment), while Item Numbers 2-3 specify the Amendment Type if applicable. The form also requires submitting evidence regarding policies and information about all persons involved in the regional center.
When is USCIS Form I-956 due?
For an address change, the regional center must notify USCIS within 30 days of that change occurring. For initial or amendment requests, specific deadlines are not stated on the main instructions page.
Where do I file USCIS Form I-956?
The most current information regarding where to file Form I-956 is available at www.uscis.gov/I-956. Changes in address can be notified by emailing [email protected].
How do I complete USCIS Form I-956?
First, fill out Form I-956 by typing or printing legibly in black ink. The filer must then sign the application (or have their signing authority sign it). If submitting an amendment, Item Numbers 2-3 require specifying the Amendment Type. All supporting evidence and Supplement Forms I-956H must be attached at the time of filing.
What happens if USCIS Form I-956 is filed incorrectly?
If the application is not complete, USCIS will check it for completeness upon acceptance; furthermore, a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature will result in rejection.
What is the difference between my A-Number and my USCIS Online Account Number (OAN)?
An OAN is only available if a previously filed form has a receipt number starting with IOE; the OAN is not the same as an A-Number. Check your account profile if you filed online, or look at the Account Access Notice if you mailed it.
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