Quick answer
What is USCIS Form I-956 used for?
Use Form I-956 to request U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) designation as a regional center under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 203(b)(5)(E), or to request an amendment to an approved regional center designated under INA 203(b)(5)(E).
I-956 is the designation application for an EB-5 regional center
Form I-956 is filed by an entity seeking designation as a regional center under the EB-5 Regional Center Program. It is an organizational application, not an investor petition or a request to approve one particular investment offering. The filing needs to explain the proposed geographic area, administration, policies, oversight, recordkeeping, and capacity to promote economic growth and comply with program rules.
Keep entity ownership and control information consistent with the required I-956H filings for involved persons. Separate the designation case from project-specific Form I-956F filings, investor I-526E petitions, and the regional center’s annual I-956G statement. Corporate charts, business plans, economic analyses, policies, and securities-compliance materials should describe the same operating model. Specialized immigration, corporate, and securities review may be appropriate.
What to prepare before filling I-956
- 01
Confirm that Form I-956, Application for Regional Center Designation, matches the specific benefit, request, verification, or record you need.
- 02
Download the current Form I-956 and its separate instructions from USCIS, then compare the edition date before typing any answers.
- 03
For Form I-956, collect the identity records, receipt or account numbers, dates, addresses, and prior immigration documents that support your answers.
- 04
For Form I-956, prepare the travel, residence, marital, tax, selective-service, and character records that apply to the relevant eligibility period.
Current official filing details
The details below are condensed from the USCIS page reviewed on 2026-07-26. Follow the official page and instructions if they differ from this snapshot.
Edition date
04/01/24. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Where to file
U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USCIS Attn: I-956 P.O.
Box 660168 Dallas, TX 75266-0168 FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: USCIS Attn: I-956 (Box 660168) 2501 S. State Highway 121 Business Suite 400 Lewisville, TX 75067-8003
Filing fee
You can find the filing fee for Form I-956 by visiting our Fee Schedule page.
Special instructions
Each person involved with the regional center must complete and submit Form I-956H, Bona Fides of Persons Involved with Regional Center Program.
Official I-956 downloads and filing links
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What is Form I-956 used for?
Use Form I-956 to request U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) designation as a regional center under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 203(b)(5)(E), or to request an amendment to an approved regional center designated under INA 203(b)(5)(E).
How much does Form I-956 cost?
You can find the filing fee for Form I-956 by visiting our Fee Schedule page.
Can I file Form I-956 online?
The USCIS all-forms directory does not list a general online filing option for this form. Follow the official page for the required filing method.
Related USCIS form guides
Fees, support & filing tools
Form I-956H
Bona Fides of Persons Involved with Regional Center Program
Citizenship & naturalization
Form G-845 Supplement
Verification Request
Citizenship & naturalization
Form G-1651
Exemption for Paper Fee Payment
Citizenship & naturalization
Form I-129CW
Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker
Citizenship & naturalization
Form I-765
Application for Employment Authorization
Citizenship & naturalization
Form N-300
Application to File Declaration of Intention
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Independent guide by Clerks AI; not affiliated with USCIS and not legal advice.
Last researched 2026-07-26. Recheck the official page before filing.