2014財(cái)年無疑又是一個(gè)美國(guó)投資移民EB-5區(qū)域中心項(xiàng)目(以下簡(jiǎn)稱項(xiàng)目)創(chuàng)紀(jì)錄的一年——數(shù)據(jù)不會(huì)說謊。2014財(cái)年的I-526/I-829申請(qǐng)、I-924申請(qǐng)和EB-5簽證綜合統(tǒng)計(jì)數(shù)據(jù)顯示：項(xiàng)目?jī)冬F(xiàn)了大量吸引外國(guó)直接投資(FDI)、推動(dòng)美國(guó)經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展和創(chuàng)造大量就業(yè)的承諾，并且未納稅人增加任何負(fù)擔(dān)，這已經(jīng)是不爭(zhēng)的事實(shí)。

　　I-526申請(qǐng)統(tǒng)計(jì)可以作為衡量項(xiàng)目的有效指標(biāo)，統(tǒng)計(jì)數(shù)據(jù)也與項(xiàng)目吸引的外國(guó)直接投資數(shù)量一致。如下圖1-A所示，2014財(cái)年，美國(guó)移民局共收到10,928份I-526申請(qǐng)，同比增加72.2%，預(yù)示項(xiàng)目就將為美國(guó)吸引超過55億美元的潛在直接投資。此外，2014財(cái)年5,115份I-526申請(qǐng)獲批，也就是說超過25.6億美元外國(guó)直接投資已經(jīng)投入美國(guó)各行業(yè)的美國(guó)投資移民EB-5項(xiàng)目，創(chuàng)造了就業(yè)、并推動(dòng)了地區(qū)經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展。另外，圖2-A顯示2014財(cái)年項(xiàng)目吸引的外國(guó)直接投資相比2009財(cái)年增加了四倍!不僅說明過去五個(gè)財(cái)年項(xiàng)目實(shí)現(xiàn)了空前增長(zhǎng)，也反應(yīng)了前所未有的就業(yè)創(chuàng)造作用和經(jīng)濟(jì)刺激。

　　圖1-A：I-526申請(qǐng)收件數(shù)與獲批數(shù)統(tǒng)計(jì)(2009-2014財(cái)年)

　　

 

　　2014財(cái)年EB-5數(shù)據(jù)

　　圖1-B：I-526待審批申請(qǐng)數(shù)(2009-2014財(cái)年)

　　

 

　　圖2-A：EB-5項(xiàng)目吸引的外國(guó)直接投資(單位：百萬美元)(1992-2014)

　　

　　注：FDI=批準(zhǔn)通過的I-526申請(qǐng)數(shù)*50萬美元

　　圖2-B：各財(cái)年最小未決外國(guó)直接投資(單位：百萬美元)(1992-2014)

　　

 

　　注：FDI最小未決金額=I-526待審批申請(qǐng)數(shù)*50萬美元

　　上圖信息來源：績(jī)效和質(zhì)量辦公室(OPQ)數(shù)據(jù)分析與報(bào)告委(DARB)美國(guó)移民局績(jī)效分析系統(tǒng)(PAS)

　　但是，圖1-B顯示，2014財(cái)年末待審批的I-526申請(qǐng)為12,453份，相比2013財(cái)年增加74.6%。這些待審批申請(qǐng)代表62億美元的資本投資(見圖2-B)以及可以創(chuàng)造的24,000個(gè)美國(guó)就業(yè)。2013至2014財(cái)年，I-526待審批申請(qǐng)的增長(zhǎng)率(74.6%)仍高于I-526申請(qǐng)收件數(shù)的增長(zhǎng)率(72.2%)，說明投資者對(duì)項(xiàng)目的需求非常強(qiáng)勁，移民局有必要調(diào)整審批流程，及時(shí)審批申請(qǐng)，以完全釋放項(xiàng)目的潛力，最大化項(xiàng)目對(duì)美國(guó)經(jīng)濟(jì)的推動(dòng)作用。

　　圖3-1：I-829申請(qǐng)收件數(shù)與獲批數(shù)統(tǒng)計(jì)(2009-2014財(cái)年)

　　

 

　　另外，I-829數(shù)據(jù)顯示2014財(cái)年使全美受益的EB-5區(qū)域中心項(xiàng)目取得了巨大成功。如圖3所示，2014財(cái)年移民局批準(zhǔn)通過了1,603項(xiàng)I-829申請(qǐng)，這一數(shù)字不僅意味著同比90%的增長(zhǎng)，也是1992年項(xiàng)目啟動(dòng)以來的新紀(jì)錄，說明項(xiàng)目成功創(chuàng)造了數(shù)以萬計(jì)的就業(yè)崗位，一千多名外國(guó)企業(yè)家實(shí)現(xiàn)了他們的移民夢(mèng)，驕傲地成為了美國(guó)貢獻(xiàn)者。

　　圖4：各財(cái)年批準(zhǔn)通過的區(qū)域中心數(shù)

　　

 

　　注：2014財(cái)年的數(shù)據(jù)來自美國(guó)移民局相關(guān)方互動(dòng)會(huì)議(2014年12月5日)

　　信息來源：績(jī)效和質(zhì)量辦公室(OPQ)數(shù)據(jù)分析與報(bào)告委(DARB)

　　2014財(cái)年，EB-5區(qū)域中心項(xiàng)目和行業(yè)均實(shí)現(xiàn)了巨大發(fā)展。根據(jù)移民局投資項(xiàng)目辦公室主任Nicholas Colucci在2014年12月華盛頓特區(qū)舉行的EB-5相關(guān)方互動(dòng)會(huì)議上進(jìn)行的介紹，2014財(cái)年末，獲批的區(qū)域中心接近600個(gè)，相比2013財(cái)年增加230個(gè)(見圖4)，同比增長(zhǎng)62%。但據(jù)Colucci先生介紹，28個(gè)區(qū)域中心由于“不再具有促進(jìn)經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展”的作用，被下發(fā)《終止意向通知》，另有7個(gè)區(qū)域中心項(xiàng)目因未能進(jìn)行I-924A報(bào)備而被終止。

　　圖5-A：向中國(guó)投資人和其它國(guó)家投資人簽發(fā)的EB-5簽證數(shù)量(2009-2014財(cái)年)

　　

 

　　圖5-B：(既中國(guó)大陸之后)EB-5簽證最多的四個(gè)地區(qū)

　　

 

　　韓國(guó)墨西哥臺(tái)灣越南

　　信息來源：美國(guó)國(guó)務(wù)院Courtesy

　　EB-5簽證的簽發(fā)數(shù)據(jù)從另一個(gè)角度展示了項(xiàng)目的巨大發(fā)展。2014財(cái)年，項(xiàng)目首次用盡了全部10,000個(gè)年度簽證配額。美國(guó)國(guó)務(wù)院發(fā)布消息稱，2014財(cái)年共簽發(fā)10,692個(gè)EB-5簽證，相比2013年增加24.8%。如圖5-A所示，9,128個(gè)EB-5簽證是向中國(guó)大陸投資人及其家屬簽發(fā)的，占2014財(cái)年EB-5簽證總簽發(fā)數(shù)量的85%。2014財(cái)年，EB-5簽證配額的用盡說明目前10,000個(gè)EB-5簽證配額數(shù)已經(jīng)不能滿足項(xiàng)目巨大的發(fā)展需求。項(xiàng)目需要采取新的簽證配額分配政策和永久再授權(quán)，以充分發(fā)揮項(xiàng)目促進(jìn)經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展和創(chuàng)造就業(yè)的能力。圖5-B還列出了2014財(cái)年EB-5簽證配額消耗最大的其他四個(gè)地區(qū)，分別為：韓國(guó)、墨西哥、臺(tái)灣、越南。

　　另外，EB-5的審批時(shí)間和I-526/I-829獲批比例數(shù)據(jù)對(duì)我們判斷2014年的審批趨勢(shì)也有所啟迪。

　　圖6：美國(guó)移民局EB-5申請(qǐng)審批時(shí)間(單位：月)

　　(2014財(cái)年，按季度劃分)

　　

 

　　信息來源：美國(guó)移民局審批時(shí)間信息

　　圖6是2014財(cái)年按季度繪制的EB-5審批時(shí)間圖。I-526申請(qǐng)的審批時(shí)間持續(xù)增加，從第一季度的9.9個(gè)月增加到2014年末的14.3個(gè)月。截止2014年12月30日，I-924區(qū)域中心申請(qǐng)的審批時(shí)間為6.8個(gè)月，EB-5投資人申請(qǐng)取消臨時(shí)簽證限制條件的I-829申請(qǐng)的審批時(shí)間為8.5個(gè)月。

　　圖7-A：I-526通過率和平均水平(1992-2014財(cái)年)

　　

 

　　信息來源：績(jī)效和質(zhì)量辦公室(OPQ)數(shù)據(jù)分析與報(bào)告委(DARB)績(jī)效分析系統(tǒng)(PAS)

　　圖7-B：I-829通過率和平均水平(1992-2014財(cái)年)

　　

 

　　信息來源：績(jī)效和質(zhì)量辦公室(OPQ)數(shù)據(jù)分析與報(bào)告委(DARB)績(jī)效分析系統(tǒng)(PAS)

　　2014財(cái)年，I-526申請(qǐng)的通過率為80.2%，相比2013財(cái)年的79.7%稍有提高，如圖7-A所示，該數(shù)據(jù)高于1992年項(xiàng)目啟動(dòng)以來73.66%的平均通過率，接近衰退后(2008-2014財(cái)年)81.14%的平均水平。2014財(cái)年，I-829申請(qǐng)的通過率為90%(見圖7-B)，雖然相比2013財(cái)年93%的通過率降低了5%，但相比1992至2014財(cái)年81.2%的平均通過率仍高出很多，并且非常接近經(jīng)濟(jì)衰退后90.8%的平均水平。

　　回顧2014財(cái)年，I-526統(tǒng)計(jì)數(shù)據(jù)顯示項(xiàng)目投資需求大幅增長(zhǎng)，項(xiàng)目為美國(guó)經(jīng)濟(jì)帶來了數(shù)十億美元的資本投資。I-829數(shù)據(jù)說明大量投資人成功解除了臨時(shí)綠卡的限制條件，取得永久綠卡，另一方面也說明全美數(shù)萬個(gè)工作崗位被成功創(chuàng)造。I-924批準(zhǔn)數(shù)量的大幅增加反應(yīng)了一直致力于推動(dòng)美國(guó)區(qū)域經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展的EB-5區(qū)域中心行業(yè)的快速擴(kuò)張。所有數(shù)據(jù)明確說明，“EB-5正在努力工作!為您!也為全美國(guó)!”

　　英文原文內(nèi)容：

　　Fiscal year (FY) 2014 was definitely another record breaking year for the EB-5 Regional Center Program (the “Program”) – data does not lie. The comprehensive data set of I-526/I-829 petitions, I-924 applications, and EB-5 visa usage statistics of FY2014 illustrates an undeniable fact that the Program is delivering its promises of generating a significant amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) and enhancing economic development in U.S communities as well as creating substantial numbers of American jobs- all at no cost to the taxpayers.

　　Statistics on I-526 petitions are good indicators of the demand for the Program and they also correspond to the amount of FDI that the Program contributes to the U.S. economy. As Figure 1-A shows, the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) received 10,928 I-526 petitions in FY2014, which increased by 72.2% from FY2013. In addition, it represents more than $5.5 billion in potential FDI brought by the Program to stimulate economic development in just one single fiscal year. Moreover, 5,115 I-526 petitions were approved in FY2014, which indicates more than $2.56 billion FDI has already been injected into projects across different industries to create American jobs and promote regional economic development. Additionally, Figure 2-A indicates the amount of FDI generated by the Program in FY2014 is a 4-fold increase from FY2009! This not only demonstrates the Program is experiencing unprecedented growth during the past five fiscal years, but also job creation and economic stimulation.

　　However, as Figure 1-B shows, 12,453 I-526 petitions are still pending in the end of FY2014, which has increased by 74.6% from 7,131 in FY2013. These petitions awaiting adjudication represent $6.2 billion in capital investment (see Figure 2-B) that could be used to create more than 24,000 American jobs. From FY2013 to FY2014, the growth rate of I-526 pending (74.6%) is still higher than the growth rate of I-526 receipts (72.2%), which indicates that investor demand for the Program is so strong that USCIS needs to optimize the adjudication process in order to fully unleash the potential power of the Program in a timely manner to maximize its economic impact to the country.

　　Furthermore, I-829 data illustrates the substantial success of the Program in FY2014 that benefits the entire country. As Figure 3 shows, 1,603 I-829 petitions were approved by USCIS in FY2014, which is not only a 90% in-crease from FY2013, but also a record breaking number since the beginning of the Pro-gram in 1992. It represents tens of thousands of jobs successfully created by the Program and more than a thousand foreign entrepreneurs living out their immigration dreams to become proud contributors to U.S. communities.

　　Both the Program and the industry experience significant growth in FY2014. Based on the briefing provided by USCIS Investor Program Office Chief Nicholas Colucci at the last EB-5 stakeholder engagement meeting in Washington D.C. this December 2014, the number of approved Regional Centers increased by 230 from FY2013 to near 600 at the end of FY2014 (see Figure 4)- a 62% growth rate from FY2013. However, 28 Regional Centers were sent Notices of Intent to Terminate (NOITs) since they “no longer served to promote economic growth” and seven Regional Centers were terminated in FY2014 due to failure to file Form I-924A, according to Mr. Colucci.

　　The EB-5 visa usage statistics demonstrate the substantial growth of the Program from a different angle. In FY2014, it was the first time the Program reached its 10,000 annual visa quota. According to the U.S Department of State, 10,692 EB-5 visas were issued in FY2014 with a growth rate of 24.8% from FY2013. As Figure 5-A shows, 9,128 EB-5 visas were issued to Mainland China investors and their family members, which accounts for 85% of total EB-5 visa usage in FY2014. The EB-5 visa unavailability in FY2014 indicates the current 10,000 EB-5 visa quota is no longer meeting the drastic demand and growth of the Program. A new visa allocation policy as well as the permanent reauthorization of the Program are needed to fulfill the Program’s capability of enhancing economic development and creating jobs for Americans. In addition, Figure 5-B presents the other top four investor markets using the highest amount of EB-5 visas in FY2014, which are South Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

　　On the other hand, EB-5 processing time and I-526/I-829 approval rate statistics shed some light on the adjudication trends of the Program in FY2014.

　　Figures 6 represents the trends of EB-5 processing time by quarter in FY2014. For I-526 petitions, the processing time continued to increase from the first quarter from 9.9 months to 14.3 months in the end of FY2014. Also, as of September 30, 2014, the processing time to adjudicate I-924 petitions for a potential regional center was 6.8 months, while it took 8.5 months to process the I-829 petition to remove conditions for an EB-5 investor.

　　The I-526 approval rate slightly increased to 80.2% in FY2014 from 79.7% in FY2013. As Figure 7-A indicates, it is higher than the overall average approval rate of 73.66% since the beginning of the Program in 1992 and is approaching the average level of 81.14% during the post-recession time period (FY2008-FY2014). For I-829 petitions, the approval rate in FY2014 was 90% (see Figure 7-B), which has, however, decreased by 5% from the approval rate of 95% in FY2013. But it is still considerably higher than the overall average approval rate of 81.2% from FY1992 to FY2014 and very close to the average level of 90.8% of the post-recession time period.

　　Looking back on FY2014, I-526 statistics show a significant increase of investor demand for the Program as well as the billions of dollars of capital investments the Program is generating for the U.S. economy. I-829 data demonstrates that as conditions are removed and investors earn their permanent green cards, at the same time tens of thousands of U.S. jobs are being created across the country. The substantial increase of I-924 approvals represents the fast growing EB-5 Regional Center industry that is contributing to regional economic development in U.S. communities. All data together is speaking with a loud and clear voice: “EB-5 is Working. For You. For America.”

　　原文鏈接：

　　https://iiusa.org/blog/research-analysis/rcbj/rcbj-retrospective-eb5-data-year-unprecedented-growth-eb5-regional-center-program-fy2014/