I956-001-INS-NEW-OMBReview-02082023

Instructions for Form I-956,
Application for Regional Center Designation
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS
Form I-956

OMB No. 1615-XXXX
Expires MM/DD/YYYY

What Is the Purpose of Form I-956?
Form I-956, Application for Regional Center Designation, is used to:
1. Request U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) designation as a regional center under the Immigration
and Nationality Act (INA) section 203(b)(5)(E) that will pool investments and promote economic growth (including
prospective job creation and increased domestic capital investment) in a particular geographic area.

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2. Request an amendment to an approved regional center.
A. You must file an amendment to seek approval for:
(1)

Changes to the regional center's name;

(2)

Changes to the regional center's ownership, organizational structure, or administration, including the sale
of the regional center, or other arrangements that would result in individuals not previously subject to the
requirements under INA section 203(b)(5)(H) becoming involved with the regional center; or

(3)

Changes to the geographic area of the regional center.

When Must a Regional Center File an Amendment?

A regional center must file an amendment not later than 120 days before the implementation of the significant proposed
changes to its organizational structure, ownership, or administration, including the sale of the regional center or other
arrangements which would result in individuals not previously subject to the eligibility requirements under INA section
203(b)(5)(H) becoming involved in the regional center.
If exigent circumstances are present, regional centers must provide notice to USCIS not later than five (5) business days
after a change for consideration on a case-by-case basis.

General Instructions

USCIS provides forms free of charge through the USCIS website. To view, print, or fill out our forms, you should use
the latest version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not
have internet access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) and ask that we
mail a form to you. The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish.
Signature. Each application must be properly signed and filed. For all signatures on this application, USCIS will not
accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature. If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal
guardian may sign the application. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. If the application
is not signed or if the requisite signature on the application is not valid, USCIS will reject the application. See 8 CFR
103.2(a)(7)(ii)(A). If USCIS accepts an application for adjudication and determines that it has a deficient signature,
USCIS will deny the application.

Form I-956 Instructions 05/13/22

Validity of Signatures. USCIS will consider a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of the original handwritten
signature valid for filing purposes. The photocopy, fax, or scan must be of the original document containing the
handwritten ink signature.
Filing Fee. Each application must be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee. (See the What Is the Filing Fee
section of these Instructions).
Evidence. At the time of filing, you must submit all evidence and supporting documents listed in the What Evidence
Should You Submit and/or Specific Instructions sections of these Instructions.

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Biometric Services Appointment. USCIS may require that you appear for an interview or provide biometrics
(fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and
conduct background and security checks. After USCIS receives your application and ensures it is complete, we will
inform you if you need to attend a biometric services appointment. If an appointment is necessary, the notice will
provide you the location of your local or designated USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) and the date and time of
your appointment or, if you are currently overseas, instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS
office outside the United States to set up an appointment. USCIS may use your biometrics to obtain the criminal history
records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), for identity verification, to determine eligibility, to create
immigration documents (for example, Permanent Resident Card, Employment Authorization Document), or any purpose
authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act. You may obtain a copy of your own FBI record using the
procedures outlined at 28 CFR 16.32. For information, please visit:
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks. For Privacy Act information, please visit
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/compact-council/privacy-act-statement.
Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that
you must submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at the time of filing or at any time
during processing of an application or petition. If USCIS requests an original document from you, it will be returned to
you after USCIS determines it no longer needs your original.
NOTE: If you submit original documents when not required or requested by USCIS, your original documents may be
immediately destroyed after we receive them.
Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English
translation. The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and
that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certification must include the
translator’s signature, printed name, the signature date, and the translator’s contact information.
How to Fill Out Form I-956
1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
2. If you need extra space to complete any item within this application, use the space provided in Part 12. Additional
Information or attach a separate sheet of paper. Type or print the name of the regional center entity at the top of each
sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer refers; and sign and date each
sheet.
3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If a question does not apply to you (for example, if you do not have a fax
number) type or print "N/A" unless otherwise directed. If your answer to a question which requires a numeric response
is zero or none, type or print "None," unless otherwise directed.

Form I-956 Instructions 05/13/22

4. USCIS Online Account Number. Providing the applicant's unique USCIS Online Account Number (OAN) helps
them manage their online account. Applicants have an Online Account Number if they previously filed an application,
petition, or request online or by mail and were issued a receipt number that begins with IOE. If the applicant filed a
form online, they can find their OAN in their USCIS Online Account profile. If they mailed their form, they can find
their OAN at the top of the USCIS Account Access Notice we sent them. The OAN is not the same as an A-Number. If
the applicant does not have a receipt number beginning with IOE, they do not have an OAN.

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Specific Instructions

Part 1. Application Type

Item Number 1. Application Type. Select the appropriate box to indicate whether you are submitting an initial
application for designation as a regional center or an amendment to an approved regional center application.

Item Numbers 2. - 3. Amendment Type. If the Form I-956 you are filing is an amendment, provide the regional
center identification number at the top of each page and select the appropriate box to indicate the type of changes being
requested by your amendment.
Part 2. Information About the Regional Center

Item Number 1. Legal Name of Regional Center Entity. Provide the legal name of the regional center entity as it
appears on the entity's document of formation. The regional center entity is the legal entity seeking designation (or
designated) as a regional center.
Item Number 2. Other Name(s) the Entity is Authorized to Use or Do Business As (d/b/a). Provide any other
name(s) that the entity is authorized to use or do business as.
Item Number 3. Organizational Structure of the Regional Center Entity. Indicate whether the regional center
entity is a government entity, a corporation, a partnership (including limited partnerships), a limited liability company, or
some other type of entity.
Item Number 4. Date the Regional Center Entity was Established. Provide the date the regional center entity was
established in mm/dd/yyyy format.
Item Number 5. State or Territory where the Regional Center Entity was Established. Provide the U.S. state or
territory where the regional center entity was established.
Item Number 6. List Any Other State or Territory Where the Regional Center Entity is Registered to do
Business. List any other state or territory where the regional center entity is lawfully qualified to do business.
Item Number 7. Regional Center Federal Employer Identification Number. Provide the Federal Employer
Identification Number of the regional center entity.
Item Number 8. Regional Center Mailing Address (and Physical Address when Applicable). Provide the mailing
address where the regional center entity can receive a printed notice from USCIS. If the mailing address of the regional
center entity is the same as the physical address, select the box indicating so. If the mailing address of the regional
center entity is different from its physical address, provide the physical address of the regional center entity in the space
provided in Part 12. Additional Information.
Item Numbers 9. - 12. Regional Center Contact Information. Provide the telephone number, fax number, email
address (if any), and website address (if any) for the regional center entity.
Form I-956 Instructions 05/13/22

Item Number 13. Other Addresses Used by the Regional Center. Provide any additional addresses where the
regional center entity is doing business.
Part 3. Geographic Area of the Regional Center
Item Number 1. Geographic Area of the Regional Center. Provide a listing of the geographic components (states,
counties, census tracts) that comprise the defined, contiguous, and limited geographic area of the regional center. When
listing census tract component(s), please enter the 11-digit FIPS code (2-digit state code, 3-digit county code, and 6-digit
tract code format) that uniquely identifies each census tract. If filing an amendment to expand the geographic area of the
regional center, you must describe both the currently approved geographic area and the area of requested expansion. If
you need additional space to list the relevant components of the requested geographic area, list them in the space
provided in Part 12. Additional Information.

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Part 4. Substantive Economic Impact on Geographic Area of the Regional Center

Item Numbers 1. - 5. Describe the economic and statistically valid tools to be used to demonstrate that the regional
center will have a substantive economic impact on the geographic areas being requested. Describe the amount of
investment to be pooled, the types of new commercial enterprises and projects to be sponsored, and the jobs that will be
created.
Part 5. Policies and Procedures to Monitor New Commercial Enterprises and Job-Creating Entities

Item Number 1. Indicate whether the regional center has submitted documentation of the policies and procedures in
place to monitor the new commercial enterprises and job-creating entities' compliance with applicable laws.
If the regional center provided documentation, describe the documentation (for example, exhibit number and name of the
document) submitted.
If the regional center has not submitted documentation, describe the policies and procedures in place to monitor the new
commercial enterprises and job-creating entities.
NOTE: The description may include, but is not limited to, the regional center's policies and procedures regarding
internal controls, risk management and assessment, governance, and fraud detection and/or deterrence. Documentation
may include, but is not limited to, Policy Manuals and Standard Operating Procedures.
Part 6. Policies and Procedures to Ensure Program Compliance
Item Number 1. Indicate whether the regional center has submitted documentation of the policies and procedures in
place to ensure regional center's compliance with EB-5 program requirements.
If the regional center provided documentation, describe the documentation (for example, exhibit number and name of the
document) submitted.
If the regional center has not submitted documentation, describe the policies and procedures in place to ensure the
regional center's compliance with EB-5 program requirements.
NOTE: The description may include, but is not limited to, the regional center's policies and procedures regarding
internal controls, risk management and assessment, governance, and fraud detection and/or deterrence. Documentation
may include, but is not limited to, Policy Manuals and Standard Operating Procedures.

Form I-956 Instructions 05/13/22

Part 7. Information About All Persons Involved with the Regional Center
Item Numbers 1. - 6. Provide the names of all persons involved in the regional center under the applicable category
describing their involvement. For any natural person involved with the regional center indirectly through their position
or other interest in a legal entity, please describe the organizational structure of their involvement. Persons should be
listed under each applicable category if they are involved with the regional center in multiple ways (for example, if a
person is both an owner and officer, they should be listed under both the owner category and officer category).

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Item Number 7. Provide the total number of Supplement Forms I-956H, Bona Fides of Persons Involved with Regional
Center Program, to be submitted.
We recommend that you print or save a copy of your completed application
to review in the future and for your records.

What Evidence Should You Submit?

As applicable, you should submit evidence with your application to demonstrate that you are eligible for designation as a
regional center, such as the items listed below.
You should provide the following evidence for applications filed to request initial designation of a regional center
and/or to make amendments to the name, organizational structure, ownership, geographic area, or
administration of a previously designated regional center.
1. Map or Illustration of Geographic Area of Regional Center. The geographic area covered by the regional center
must be a defined, contiguous, and limited geographic area. You may provide a map or other illustration of the
geographic components that comprise the limited and contiguous geographic area of the regional center. Include a list of
the geographic components that make up the proposed geographic area of the regional center.
2. Substantive Economic Impact on Geographic Area of the Regional Center. You should provide evidence that
the regional center's pooled investment will have a substantive economic impact on the proposed geographic area. Your
proposal must include reasonable predictions, supported by economically and statistically valid and transparent
forecasting tools, concerning the amount of investment that will be pooled, the kinds of commercial enterprises that will
receive such investments, details of the jobs that will be created directly or indirectly as a result of such investments, and
other positive economic effects such investments will have.
3. Policies and Procedures to Monitor New Commercial Enterprises and Job-Creating Entities. You may provide
evidence, such as a written policy document, that describes the policies and procedures in place reasonably designed to
monitor new commercial enterprises and any associated job-creating entity to seek to ensure compliance with all
applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders of the United States, including immigration, criminal, and securities
laws, as well as all securities laws of the state where any securities offerings will be conducted, investment advice will
be given, or the offerors or offerees reside.
4. Policies and Procedures to Ensure Program Compliance. You may provide evidence, such as a written policy
document, describing the policies and procedures in place at the regional center entity to ensure EB-5 program
compliance.
5. Information About All Persons Involved with the Regional Center. Each person involved with the regional center
must complete and submit Supplement Form I-956H, Bona Fides of Persons Involved with Regional Center Program.
Each Supplement Form I-956H must be attached to the Form I-956, Application for Regional Center Designation.
Form I-956 Instructions 05/13/22

What Is The Filing Fee?
The filing fee for Form I-956 is $17,795.
USCIS will reject your Form I-956 if you submit the incorrect fee.
NOTE: Each person involved with the regional center must complete and submit Form I-956H, Bona Fides of
Persons Involved with Regional Center Program, and pay the required biometric services fee. Please review the
Form I-956H Instructions for more information.

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Payments by Check or Money Order

Use the following guidelines when you prepare your check or money order for the Form I-956 filing fee:

1. The check or money order must be drawn on a bank or other financial institution located in the United States and
must be payable in U.S. currency; and
2. Make the check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

NOTE: Spell out U.S. Department of Homeland Security; do not use the initials "USDHS" or "DHS."

Notice to Those Paying by Check. If you send USCIS a check, we will convert it into an electronic funds transfer
(EFT). This means we will copy your check and use the account information on it to electronically debit your account
for the amount of the check. The debit from your account will usually take 24 hours and your bank will show it on your
regular account statement.
You will not receive your original check back. We will keep a copy of your original check and destroy the original. If
USCIS cannot process the EFT for technical reasons, you authorize us to process the copy in place of your original
check. If your check is returned as unpayable, we will re-submit the payment to the financial institution one time. If the
check is returned as unpayable a second time, we will reject your application and charge you a returned check fee.
Payments by Credit Card

If you are filing your application at a USCIS Lockbox facility, you can pay your filing fee using a credit card. Please see
Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, at www.uscis.gov/G-1450 for more information.
NOTE: By completing this transaction, you agree that you have paid for a government service and that the filing fee,
biometric services fee, and all related financial transactions are final and not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS
takes on an application, petition, or request, or how long USCIS takes to reach a decision.
NOTE: The filing fee is not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this application. DO NOT MAIL
CASH. You must submit all fees in the exact amounts.
How to Check If the Fees Are Correct
Form I-956's filing fee is current as of the edition date in the lower left corner of this page. However, because USCIS
fees change periodically, you can verify that the fee is correct by following one of the steps below.
1. Visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov, select "FORMS," and check the appropriate fee; or

Form I-956 Instructions 05/13/22

2. Visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter to get answers to your questions and connect with
a live USCIS representative. If you do not have internet access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center at
1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833). The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish.
USCIS will reject your Form I-956 if you submit the incorrect fee or if you attach payment for more than what you are
required to pay. In such a case, USCIS will return any filing fees you submitted with your Form I-956. Form I-956 is
not eligible for a fee waiver under 8 CFR 103.7(c).

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Where To File?

Please visit our website at www.uscis.gov/I-956 or visit the USCIS Contact Cetner at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter to
connect with a USCIS representative for the most current information about where to file this application. If you do not
have internet access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833). The USCIS
Contact Cnter provides information in English and Spanish.

Address Change

The regional center must notify USCIS of any change to the mailing address of the regional center entity within 30 days
of such change. Notification of these changes can be made by sending an email to the EB-5 Program mailbox at:
[email protected]. If you do not have internet access, you may call the USCIS Contact
Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833). The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and
Spanish.
NOTE: Do not submit a change of address request to USCIS Lockbox facilities because the Lockbox does not process
change of address requests. Sending notification of address change to the EB-5 Program mailbox at
[email protected] does not negate your requirement to notify USCIS as explained in
www.uscis.gov/addresschange.

Processing Information

You must have a United States address to file this application.

Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your application, we will check it for completeness. If you do not completely
fill out this application, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and USCIS may reject or deny your application.
Requests for More Information. We may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your
application. We may also request that you provide the originals of any copies you submit. If we request an original
document from you, it will be returned to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs your original.
Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview based on your application.
At the time of any interview or other appearance at a USCIS office, we may require that you provide your biometrics to
verify your identity or update background and security checks.
Decision. The decision on Form I-956 involves a determination of whether you have established eligibility for the
requested designation, or an amendment to a previously approved designation. USCIS will notify you of the decision in
writing.

Form I-956 Instructions 05/13/22

Approval. If you have established that you qualify for the benefit sought, USCIS will approve your application. The
approval notice will provide information about the responsibilities and obligations of your USCIS designated regional
center. It will also list the evidence to submit in support of regional center-associated individual EB-5 petitions, as well
as details on the reporting and oversight requirements for regional centers.
Denial. If you have not established eligibility for the benefit sought, USCIS will deny this application. The denial
notice will describe the reasons for the denial, and the regional center's right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals
Office as specified in 8 CFR part 103.3.

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USCIS Forms and Information

To ensure you are using the latest version of this application, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov where you can
obtain the latest USCIS forms and immigration-related information. If you do not have internet access, you may call the
USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) and ask that we mail a form to you. The USCIS
Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish.
Please visit us at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter to get basic information about immigration services and ask questions
about a pending case. Through our digital self-help tools and live assistance, the USCIS Contact Center provides a
pathway for you to get consistent, accurate information and answers to immigration case questions.

Penalties

If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with your Form I-956, we
will deny your Form I-956 and may deny any other immigration benefit. In addition, you will face severe penalties
provided by law and may be subject to criminal prosecution.

DHS Privacy Notice

AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this application, and the associated evidence, is collected under INA
sections 101, 103, 203, 204, 216A, and 245 (as amended), and the EB-5, Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, Div. BB of
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. No. 117-103).
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for collecting the requested information on this application is to determine if the
regional center has established eligibility for regional center designation or amended designation. DHS will use the
information you provide to grant or deny the regional center application. The identifying information requested on this
application relating to the principals of the regional center and the owners of associated new commercial enterprises will
allow DHS to perform standard background checks with law enforcement agencies. These background checks may
reveal derogatory information that may result in denial of your application and/or termination of the regional center's
designation.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information,
including your Social Security number (if applicable), and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision in your
case or result in denial of your application.
ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this application with other Federal, state, local, and
foreign government agencies, and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses described in the
associated published system of records notices [DHS/USCIS-007 - Benefits Information System and DHS/USCIS-001Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records] which you can find at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS
may also share the information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.
Form I-956 Instructions 05/13/22

Paperwork Reduction Act
An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection
of information, unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The
public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 23 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the application, preparing
statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the application. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Policy and Strategy, Regulatory Coordination Division, 5900 Capital
Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009; OMB No. 1615-XXXX. Do not mail your
completed Form I-956 to this address.

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Form I-956 Instructions 05/13/22