FirstPathway Weblog

Last month, FirstPathway Partners was proud to sponsor the 2011 China National Exit & Entry Services Association Alliance Conference.  During the conference members discussed cooperation rules and best practices for US and Canadian investment immigration programs.  The organization’s Chairmen, in addition to the largest 40 Chinese migration agencies were in attendance.

FPP was honored to contribute to this high profile event.

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FirstPathway Partners (FPP) is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Invest in America 2011 Guangzhou Summit, Saturday March 19 – Sunday March 20, 2011. During the summit, industry experts including featured keynote speaker Bob Kraft, FPP Chairman and CEO, will share insight into the dynamic EB5 program. In addition summit participant will be eligible to attend an exclusive seminar hosted by the Chairman himself. Join thousands of business executives, investors and migration agents in attending the Invest in America 2011 Guangzhou Summit, this spring.

The summit will be this year’s largest American investment exhibition in China. The two-day exhibition will take place at the five-star Guangzhou Grand Hyatt Hotel’s first-class exhibition hall. In addition to visiting individual booths, attendees will have an opportunity to attend seminars, workshops, and private meetings with FirstPathway Partners.

For more information about the Summit, log on http://investAmerica2011.org.

Bob Kraft, Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners (FPP), has returned from another successful trip to China where he greeted agents and promoted new projects.

Kraft also ventured to Hong Kong to meet with FPP’s escrow agents at J.P. Morgan Chase. During meetings, Kraft praised the current EB5 escrow account model, which facilitates the flow of investor funds, citing high investor confidence and security.

Bob Kraft would like to take this opportunity wish all of his friends, clients and associates a Happy Lunar New Year.

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In a recent article, The Business Journal highlighted the importance of the continual push to make EB-5 permanent. Since 1993, the EB-5 pilot program has been renewed by Congress allowing Regional Centers to continue to bring much needed jobs and capital investment into our communities. The author also commends the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) Regional Center, “which paved the way for EB-5 to be used on projects in southeast Wisconsin.”

This article serves as a reminder to future investors and the community at large that business leaders, Senators, and organizations like IIUSA, are continuing their efforts to make the “beloved” EB-5 program permanent.

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Immigrant Visas Issued and Adjustments of Status

1      China

2      Korea, South

3      Great Britain/North Ireland

4      Taiwan

5      India

6      Iran

7      Mexico

8      Canada

9      Russia

10    South Africa

*The Report of the Visa Office is an annual report providing statistical information on immigrant and non-immigrant visa issuances by consular offices, as well as information on the use of visa numbers in numerically limited categories.

Friday September 24, 2010- FirstPathway Partners presented on the topic of EB5 during a recent seminar for top Chinese CEO’s at Blackman Kallick in downtown Chicago. The seminar series, lead by world renowned Northwestern University Professor Clarke Caywood, also featured an introduction to investment in the United States featuring speaker Stella Su, Blackman Kallick, China Practice & Director of Corporate Finance Consulting.

FirstPathway Partners would like to thank all those in attendance.

Earlier this month FirstPathway Partners was featured in a JoongAng Ilbo article about the increasing popularity of EB5 investment visas. According to the author the programs popularity can be directly attributed to its many benefits over comparative visas. Investors enjoy reduced public university tuition, employment eligibility, freedom to live anywhere in the US and more.

Read more about FirstPathway Partners  and the increasing popularity of EB5

FirstPathway Partners (FPP) is proud to announce that our new Sydney, Australia branch office is now open.

FirstPathway Partners Sydney

49 Mons Avenue
Maroubra, New South Wales 2035, Australia
P: (612) 9344-5336
F: (612) 9344-3287

In a recent memorandum, USCIS officials recommended a partnership with the Department of Commerce (DOC) to help the underutilized EB5 program become more accessible to foreign investors. “USCIS views the EB-5 program as an important tool in assisting the U.S. economy as our country continues to recover from the recent recession.”

Below is an excerpt from that memorandum.

TO: Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Director

FROM: Denise A.Vanison. Policy and Strategy, Roxana Bacon, Office of the Chief Counsel, Debra A. Rogers. Field Operations, Donald Neufeld, Service Center Operations

SUBJECT: Administrative Alternatives to Comprehensive Immigration Reform

…

B. To Foster Economic Growth

1. Partner with Department of Commerce (DOC) to administer’ the EB-S Immigrant Investor Program

The EB-5 program allows certain aliens who have made investments in US businesses and who created at least ten jobs to obtain LPR status. Due to a number’ of factors the EB5 program has been underutilized and, as a result, job creation under this program has been limited. USCIS views the EB-5 program as an important tool in assisting the U.S. economy as our country continues to recover from the recent recession. Currently, an opportunity exists for USCIS and the DOC to work together in promoting the EB-S Immigrant Investor Pilot Program (Pilot Program). The goals of the Pilot Program and the goals of certain DOC components, such as Invest in America, seem to provide a natural starting point for agency collaboration. OPS proposes setting up a working group with the DOC to determine how DOC might assist USCIS in making the EB5 program more accessible to foreign investors thorough administrative efficiencies and promotion.

Implementation Method: Working group sessions between DOC and USCIS. Probable rulemaking to codify joint administration of the EB-5 Program once parameters are agreed upon between the two agencies.

Resources/Considerations: DHS and USCIS leadership agree that the partnership with DOC would be beneficial to USCIS as well as the EB-5 stakeholder community. Need to coordinate with DOC.

Target Date: To be determined. [We can begin cooperating with Invest in America immediately.] Allow 3-9 months so that the low hanging fruit can be harvested first.

Last week FirstPathway Partners exhibited at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Conference in  Washington, DC represented by Vice-President of Marketing, Sam Buffone and Director of Communications, Jennifer Globig. Thank you to everyone who visited FPP at the conference.