Instructions for Form I-956H, Bona Fides of Persons Involved with Regional Center Program
Related Forms
- Form I-956H, Bona Fides Persons Involved with Regional Center Program - Bona Fides Persons Involved with Regional Center Program
Instructions for Form I-956H,
Bona Fides of Persons Involved with Regional Center Program
USCIS
Form I-956H
OMB No. 1615-0159
Expires 07/31/2025
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
What is the Purpose of Form I-956H?
Form I-956H, Bona Fides of Persons Involved with Regional Center Program, must be completed by each person
involved with a regional center, new commercial enterprise (NCE), or affiliated job-creating entity (JCE) to attest to
their eligibility to be involved with the EB-5 entity. A person involved with a JCE that is not an affiliated JCE may, at
the Secretary’s discretion, be required to complete Form I-956H.
A person is involved with a regional center, NCE, or JCE if the person is, directly or indirectly, in a position of
substantive authority to make operational or managerial decisions over pooling, securitization, investment, release,
acceptance, or control or use of any funding. A person may be in a position of substantive authority if they serve as a
principal, a representative, an administrator, an owner, an officer, a board member, a manager, an executive, a general
partner, a fiduciary, an agent, or in a similar position at the regional center, NCE, or JCE, respectively.
Each person must complete a Form I-956H that identifies each entity with which they are involved for submission with
any related form, as applicable.
Each person completing a Supplement Form I-956H must answer all questions as indicated on the supplement.
When Must the Form I-956H be Filed?
Each person involved with the regional center must complete Form I-956H to be submitted with the Form I-956,
Application for Regional Center Designation.
A person must complete Form I-956H to be submitted with the Form I-956 amendment if the regional center undergoes
any change or other arrangement that results in the person not previously subject to the requirements under the
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 203(b)(5)(H) becoming involved with the regional center.
Each person involved with an NCE and/or an affiliated JCE must complete Form I-956H to be submitted along
Form I-956F, Application for Approval of Investment in a Commercial Enterprise. A person involved with a JCE that is
not an affiliated JCE may, at the Secretary's discretion, be required to complete Form I-956H for submission to U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
A person involved with the regional center who previously filed Form I-956H with the Form I-956 must also file Form
I-956H with the Form I-956F if that person is involved with the NCE or JCE.
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 form must be properly signed and filed. For all signatures on this form, 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
form on your behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. If the form is not signed or if the
requisite signature on the form is not valid, USCIS will reject the form. See 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)(A). If USCIS accepts a
form for adjudication and determines that it has a deficient signature, USCIS will deny the underlying application.
Form I-956H Instructions 07/24/23
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 form 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 Specific
Instructions and What Evidence Should You Submit sections of these Instructions.
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 form 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.
If you fail to attend your biometric services appointment, USCIS may deny the underlying application.
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, form, 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-956H
1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
2. If you need extra space to complete any item within this form, use the space provided in Part 9. 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, 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-956H Instructions 07/24/23
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.
Specific Instructions
Part 1. Filing Type
Item Number 1. Filing Type. Select the appropriate box to indicate whether you are submitting an initial or additional
filing. If you have not previously submitted a Form I-956H for involvement with any entity or related Form I-956 or
Form I-956F filing in the past, select initial filing and skip to Part 2. If you have previously filed a Form I-956H for
involvement with any entity or related Form I-956 or Form I-956F filing in the past, even if different from your
involvement with the entity identified in Part 2., select additional filing.
Item Number 2. - 3. Filing Type. If the Form I-956H you are filing is an additional filing, provide the receipt number
of your most recent previous Form I-956H filing. Also, indicate whether your answers to Parts 3., 4., and 5. are the
same as in the previous Form I-956H filing you identified. If your answers to these parts are the same as your previous
filing, your answers to those parts will be incorporated into this filing by reference and you may skip answering the
items and parts indicated. You must still complete all other parts of this form.
Part 2. Information About the EB-5 Entity and Your Involvement
Provide only the applicable information in each table for the entity(ies) with which you are involved and your role in the
entity.
Part 3. Information About the Person Involved with Regional Center Program
If the person is an individual, answer Items Numbers 1. - 9. For organizations, answer Items Numbers 10. - 14.
Item Numbers 1. - 2. Name of the Individual. Provide the full legal name, including any alias, maiden name, and/or
nickname of the person submitting the form.
Item Number 3. Date of Birth. Provide the date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy of the person.
Item Number 4. Country of Birth. Provide the country of birth for the person.
Item Number 5. Country(ies) of Citizenship or Nationality. Provide the country(ies) of citizenship for the person
current and relinquished.
Item Number 6. Passport Number(s) and Countries. Provide the passport number(s) of all country(ies) provided in
Item Number 5.
Item Number 7. If the person is not a U.S. citizen, indicate whether the person is a U.S. national or lawful permanent
resident (LPR).
Item Number 8. Alien Registration Number (A-Number) (if any). If person is an LPR, provide the LPR's A-number.
Item Number 9. U.S. Social Security Number. Provide the U.S. Social Security number for the person, if any.
Form I-956H Instructions 07/24/23
Item Number 10. - 14. Organizational Information. If person is an organization, provide the organization name, the
date the organization was established in mm/dd/yyyy format, the U.S. state or territory where the organization was
established, and the Federal Employer Identification Number of the regional center entity.
Item Numbers 15. Person's Mailing Address. Provide the address where the person can receive mail.
Item Numbers 16. Person's Contact Information. Provide the person's current telephone number and email address
(if any).
We recommend that you print or save a copy of your completed form
to review in the future and for your records.
What Evidence Should You Submit?
For lawful permanent residents, provide a copy of the LPR card.
What Is the Filing Fee?
There is no filing fee for submitting the Form I-956H.
A biometric services fee of $85 is required for an individual completing an initial filing of Form I-956H. That means a
separate biometric services fee of $85 must be submitted for each individual completing an initial filing of Form I-956H
when it is submitted.
Biometric Services Fee Exceptions
You do not have to pay a biometric services fee if:
1. You are submitting Form I-956H on behalf of an organization; or
2. You are submitting an additional filing of Form I-956H
Payments by Check or Money Order
Use the following guidelines when you prepare your check or money order for the Form I-956H biometric services 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 destroy your original check, but will keep a copy of it. If USCIS
cannot process the EFT for technical reasons, you authorize us to process the copy in place of your original check. If your
Form I-956H Instructions 07/24/23
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 form and charge you a returned check fee.
Payments by Credit Card
If you are filing your form at a USCIS Lockbox facility, you can pay your biometric services 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 biometric services fee is not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this form. DO NOT
MAIL CASH. You must submit all fees in the exact amounts.
How To Check If the Fees Are Correct
Form I-956H's biometric services 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.
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.
Where To File?
Please visit our website at www.uscis.gov/I-956H or visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter
to connect with a USCIS representative for the most current information about where to file this form. 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.
Processing Information
You must have a United States address to file this form.
Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your form, we will check it for completeness. If you do not completely fill out
this form, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and USCIS may reject or deny the underlying application.
Requests for More Information. We may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your
submission. 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.
USCIS Forms and Instructions
To ensure you are using the latest version of this form, 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.
Form I-956H Instructions 07/24/23
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-956H, we
will deny the underlying 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 form, and the associated evidence, is collected under the
Immigration and Nationality Act, 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 form is to determine the bona fides of
persons involved with the regional center program, including whether the regional center has established eligibility for
regional center designation or amended designation. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will use the information
you provide to grant or deny the regional center application or to take other appropriate action authorized by law. The
identifying information requested on this form 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 an
application, termination of the regional center's designation, or other appropriate actions authorized by law.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, and
any requested evidence, may delay a final decision or result in denial of an associated application or other appropriate
actions authorized by law.
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-001-
Alien 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.
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 1.65 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the form, preparing statements,
attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the form. The collection of biometrics is estimated to require 1 hour
10 minutes. 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. 1615-0159. Do not mail your completed Form I-956H to this address.
Form I-956H Instructions 07/24/23