USCIS Electronic Immigration System

In the last 24 years of the EB-5 program, there have been significant developments in this federal program’s policies and initiatives that have made it more effective and more efficient for all stakeholders to benefit from. Since the early 1990’s, the federal government has striven to make changes to the program that will make the investment and immigration process more convenient for investors, secure the creation of jobs as well as the principals of the investment vehicles, while putting in place mechanisms to make sure the investments originate from lawful sources.

On May 22, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, or USCIS, announced the launch of a new online platform they developed called ELIS, or the Electronic Immigration System. According to USCIS, ELIS is a secure web-based system that allows immigration benefit seekers and their legal representatives to create an account and file benefit requests online. It was created to streamline the process via an online account-based system that enhances customer service and the quality of their processes. Through USCIS ELIS, customers can view their benefit requests, receive electronic notification of decisions, and receive real-time case status updates.

USCIS ELIS allows applicants to:

– Conveniently and securely set-up and manage their accounts;
– Electronically submit applications and supporting documents;
– Receive and respond to notices and decisions electronically;
– Make payments online; and
– Access real-time information about the status of their cases

According to USCIS, the initial launch of ELIS included account setup and case management functions supporting the intake and adjudication of immigration benefits. Applicants are currently able to electronically file select categories of Form I-539 (change, extend, or reinstate status) and Form I-526 (Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur), as well as to create a document library for approved Regional Centers to be able to organize their projects and investors. USCIS will gradually expand ELIS to include more features, functions, and form types in the future. The creation of electronic systems such as ELIS to streamline the immigration process will hopefully alleviate immigration waiting times across the board by reducing the congestion of their paper-based workload, benefiting stakeholders domestically and abroad.

If you would like to learn more about USCIS ELIS, including upcoming webinars and engagement opportunities, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis.

“Rahbaran & Associates intends on continuing to reduce its carbon footprint and saving trees by utilizing USCIS ELIS to further reduce its paper consumption.”