Mark I. Davies, Esq., J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School, licensed by the SRA (SRA ID: 384468) in the UK, and a member of The Law Society of England & Wales, MBA, Wharton School of Business. Top 10 Investment Visa Lawyer. Licensed in the USA. Georgia State Bar member. AILA member.
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Live Update — 2 May 2026
Davies & Associates announce latest EB-5 approval for an Italian client transitioning from E-2 to direct EB-5: a Brianza-based fashion accessories group that scaled US retail and distribution operations across New York and Florida. I-526E approved early 2026 with work and travel permission granted. Read the case study →
The EB-5 Senior Law Firm Partner Commitment
EB-5 is no longer just an investment; it is a complex multi-jurisdictional legal maneuver involving immigration law, project finance, and international taxation. Our Client Charter mandates that every investor has direct access to a Senior EB-5 Partner. Your Senior Partner will manage a bespoke team of lawyers specializing in: source-of-funds forensic accounting, project finance due diligence, and cross-border tax exposure.
Our Managing Partner, Mark Davies, is also personally available to all clients. Mark has been recognized as a Top 25 EB-5 Immigration Attorney by EB5 Investors Magazine for six consecutive years.
Table of Contents
- ► 2026 EB-5 Updates Italian Investors Need to Know
- ► Who This Page Is For
- ► How our Italian Avvocati Support our EB-5 Lawyers
- ► Source of Funds for Italian Applicants
- ► How Our Italian Avvocati Help with EB-5
- ► Working with an EB-5 Lawyer in Milan
- ► Our EB-5 Process for Italian Clients
- ► Case Study: Lombardy Fashion E-2 to EB-5
- ► Immigrant Visa Processing in Naples
- ► Choosing the Right EB-5 Lawyer in Milan
- ► Italian Areas We Serve
- ► Related EB-5 Resources
- ► FAQs About EB-5 Lawyers in Milan
- ► Our Italian Offices
What EB-5 Lawyers in Italy Do in an EB-5 Filing
Overall Timeline for Initial Filing: 1-4 Months
Total Timeline for Engagement with EB-5 Lawyer: 5-10 Years
Step 1: Preliminary Source of Funds Review
Timeline: 1-2 WeeksThe first step in any EB-5 case is to ensure that you are able to provide the Source of Funds (SOF) documentation to USCIS standards. If you are unable to meet this requirement you will not be able to file a viable EB-5 case.
An experienced EB-5 lawyer can advise you as to whether your SOF documentation is likely to be accepted by USCIS.
Step 2: Project Selection and Due Diligence
Timeline: 1 Week – 3 Months (Depending on Client)Your EB-5 lawyer will review target investment projects with you to ensure:
- The project meets the requirements of the EB-5 laws and 8 CFR.
- Work with project finance counsel to review the project structure and to advise you of any legal risks or concerns with the project structure which may impact the security of your capital.
While ensuring compliance with EB-5 immigration laws can be accomplished in days, ensuring the proper structure and protection of your capital takes weeks.
Step 3: Direct (Stand-Alone) Project Structuring
Not applicable in Regional Center cases.
Timeline: 1–3 monthsStructuring a Direct (or 'Stand-alone') project requires:
- significant work with corporate and investment counsel
- the preparation of a business plan
- working with an EB-5 economist
- potentially working with EB-5 securities lawyers, depending on the complexity of the case
Step 4: Preparing the I-526/I-526E Filing Package
Timeline: 2 Days - 1 WeekFor Italian investors, this typically involves finalizing SOF work and completion of form I-526 or I-526E:
- Structuring and documenting source of funds from Italian income, property, or investments
- Some source of funds documents may require an opinion or drafting from an Italian avvocato or commercialista
- Preparing and filing the I-526E petition
- Preparing corporate documentation and business plans to support the application
- Advising on regional center investments or direct EB-5 structures
- Reviewing the I-956F status of the project under the new USCIS Inventory Management Model
- Managing communication with USCIS
- Supporting later-stage filings such as removal of conditions (Form I-829)
Step 5: Engagement of Quality Review Lawyer
While on average three (3) experienced lawyers will have worked on your file, an essential part of our process is the I-526 package review by an experienced EB-5 lawyer who has not been involved with the preparation of the case.Step 6: Final QC Check, Petition Filing and Receipt Tracking
All I-526 packages are given a final check by our filing team based in Los Angeles. The package is then printed and shipped to USCIS.With the exception of certain Singaporean and Chinese cases, all USCIS receipt notices come to our New York office where they are scanned on arrival and added to your on-line file to which you always have access.
Step 7: Response to RFE or NOID: Complex EB-5 Lawyers
- In the unlikely event your case receives an RFE or NOID it will be automatically e-mailed to you upon receipt at our New York office.
- Our EB-5 complex case EB-5 Lawyers will immediately begin preparing a response.
- In 2026 we moved our complex EB-5 Response team from New York to our Beaufort Court location in the London Docklands, which works closely with our Milan and Florence teams on Italian source-of-funds matters.
2026 EB-5 Updates Italian Investors Need to Know
Three significant developments in 2026 affect how Italian investors should approach EB-5 applications. Our Milan EB-5 lawyers are advising clients on these in real time.
30 September 2026 · Grandfathering Deadline
EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act Grandfathering Deadline
Petitions filed on or before 30 September 2026 qualify for statutory grandfathering protection. This protects a properly filed petition against disruption if Congress allows the Regional Center Program to lapse in 2027. Filing by this date locks in today's rules and investment amounts (\$800,000 for TEAs). Because source-of-funds work typically takes 3 to 6 months, cases beginning after mid-2026 risk missing this critical legal safeguard.
30 March 2026 · USCIS Policy Shift
New USCIS Inventory Management Model for I-526 / I-526E
USCIS has implemented a new balanced first-in, first-out (FIFO) approach for processing investor petitions. Two practical consequences for Italian investors choosing a project:
- Project-first adjudication. USCIS will not review your individual I-526E petition until it has decided on the associated Form I-956F (the Regional Center’s project application). Projects that already have I-956F approval can move significantly faster.
- Rural priority queue. Rural petitions are placed in a dedicated FIFO queue with priority over urban or infrastructure projects. The rural category is therefore likely to be the fastest path to adjudication, although it is also expected to backlog first.
Our Milan EB-5 lawyers review the I-956F status of every project before recommending it to an Italian client.
May 2026 · Visa Bulletin
USCIS may move to Final Action Dates for adjustment of status filings
From May 2026, USCIS may accept employment-based adjustment of status filings only on the Final Action Dates chart, rather than the more permissive Dates for Filing chart. For Italian applicants this matters mainly if you are already in the United States in another nonimmigrant status and considering adjustment of status, rather than consular processing through the U.S. Consulate General in Naples. EB-5 set-aside categories (rural, high unemployment, infrastructure) currently remain current for most countries, but the State Department has flagged that retrogression may occur later in fiscal year 2026.
Speak to our EB-5 lawyers in Milan now
We can discuss your EB-5 requirements at our Milan office on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, at our Florence office, over the phone, or online via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet.
+39 055 076 3054 Make an enquiry📖 Read Our Guide to The EB-5 Investor Visa
Who This Page Is For
This page is designed for Italy-based individuals who:
- Are considering investing \$800,000 or \$1,050,000 in the United States under EB-5
- Want to obtain a US green card by making a qualifying investment in a business in the United States
- Need guidance on structuring funds from Italian assets, including property, dividends from an SRL or SPA, salary, business proceeds, gifts, succession, or TFR
- Want to understand how the September 2026 grandfathering deadline affects their plans
- Are looking to work with an EB-5 lawyer in Milan, Rome, or Florence or trusted EB-5 avvocati in Italy
How our Italian Avvocati Support Our EB-5 Lawyers in Italy
Applying for an EB-5 visa from Italy involves coordination between you, your financial documentation, frequently your commercialista and Italian avvocato, and US immigration counsel.
From an Italian perspective, the process typically includes:
- Our Italian avvocati, registered with the Ordine degli Avvocati, drafting supporting documentation required under Italian law. Examples include shareholder loan agreements, dividend resolutions, and atti di donazione.
- Reviewing your eligibility and the investment structure
- Analysing the origin of your funds under US immigration rules
- Preparing documentation that meets USCIS standards
- Coordinating filings with our US-based immigration lawyers and our specialist EB-5 filing team in Los Angeles
- Supporting you through each stage of the process
Most Italy-based applicants work with a law firm that has both an EB-5 lawyer in Milan and a US legal presence. A US presence is important, as all EB-5 cases are filed with USCIS in the United States.
📖 EB-5 Visa Guide for 2026
Working with experienced EB-5 lawyers in Italy ensures that Italy-specific financial documentation is properly aligned with US immigration requirements.
Source of Funds for Italian EB-5 Applicants
One of the most important aspects of any EB-5 application is demonstrating the lawful origin of your investment capital.
Common Italian Source of Funds
For Italy-based applicants, this often involves:
- Property sales (vendita immobiliare) and equity release
- Dividends from Italian SRL or SPA companies
- Salary and accumulated savings
- Trattamento di Fine Rapporto (TFR) on retirement or termination
- Business ownership or exits, including share sales (cessione di partecipazioni)
- Gifts (donazioni) or succession (successione ereditaria)
- Shareholder loans (finanziamento soci) drawn from an Italian company
Each source must be clearly documented and traceable in a way that meets US immigration standards. Agenzia delle Entrate records, Modello Redditi PF, Certificazione Unica (formerly CUD), F24 payment receipts, and Camera di Commercio (Registro Imprese) filings often play an important role in evidencing Italian income and gains.
An experienced EB-5 lawyer in Milan will ensure Italian financial evidence is presented clearly within a US legal framework.
How Do Our Italian Avvocati Help with EB-5?
EB-5 is a US immigration matter, but the bulk of the evidence is Italy-based. USCIS needs to see exactly where your money came from — in clear, contemporaneous Italian documentation that a US adjudicator unfamiliar with Italian law will understand. That is the core role of our Italian avvocati on every EB-5 case.
Drafting Source of Funds Documentation
Our Italian-qualified avvocati prepare the documents that explain, in writing, where your investment capital came from and how it reached the EB-5 investment. We do not just collect existing paperwork; we draft the legal instruments USCIS expects to see, working from your actual Italian records.
Typical drafting work includes:
- Source of funds narratives — a structured legal explanation of how the funds were acquired, with reference to Italian tax, employment, and corporate evidence
- Atti di donazione — where part of the investment comes from a parent, spouse, or other family member
- Loan agreements — including finanziamento soci documentation where funds are drawn from an Italian company shareholder loan account
- Shareholder dividend resolutions (verbali di assemblea) and distribuzione di utili documentation
- Dichiarazioni sostitutive di atto notorio on the lawful origin of cash savings, business proceeds, or inherited funds
- Avvocato’s opinion letters confirming the legal status of Italian transactions for the benefit of USCIS
Common Italian Documents We Work With
Most Italian EB-5 cases rely on a combination of the following, each of which our avvocati review, organise, and explain in the source of funds package:
- Agenzia delle Entrate records — Modello Redditi PF (formerly Modello Unico), 730, and tax year overviews
- Certificazione Unica (formerly CUD) and buste paga evidencing Italian employment income
- Camera di Commercio / Registro Imprese filings — visure camerali, annual accounts (bilanci), and shareholder records
- Italian bank statements (estratti conto) tracing the path of funds from origin to investment
- Atti notarili di compravendita (notarial deeds of sale) for property transactions
- Visure catastali and ipocatastali evidencing Italian property ownership and disposal
- Atti costitutivi di trust and statuti where funds are held in family or trust structures
- Dichiarazione di successione and certificati di successione for inherited funds
- Bilanci certificati showing dividend capacity and retained earnings (utili a riserva)
Finanziamento Soci — A Common Italian Source of EB-5 Capital
A significant proportion of our Italian EB-5 clients are owner-managers of Italian companies, typically SRL or SPA. For these clients, the EB-5 capital often comes from a finanziamento soci account — the balance owed by the company to the shareholder, accumulated through capital contributions, undrawn dividends, or expenses funded personally.
USCIS will accept funds drawn from a finanziamento soci account, but only if the loan is properly documented and the underlying balance has a lawful, traceable origin. Our Italian avvocati:
- Review the company’s libro giornale and management accounts to confirm the finanziamento soci balance
- Reconcile the loan account against the company’s bilanci and dichiarazione dei redditi (corporate tax filings)
- Trace each material credit on the loan account back to its lawful source — salary processed through buste paga and Certificazione Unica, dividends supported by verbali di assemblea, or capital introduced from documented funds
- Draft the formal repayment agreement between the company and the shareholder, in a form that meets both Italian company law (Codice Civile) and USCIS evidentiary expectations
- Prepare the supporting verbali di assemblea authorising the repayment of the loan to fund the EB-5 investment
This work matters because USCIS reviewers do not assume that a balance on a finanziamento soci account represents lawful funds. They look for the audit trail. Our Italian avvocati build that audit trail in a form a US adjudicator can follow.
Why an Italian Avvocato on the Case Matters
EB-5 source of funds documentation is the single most common reason for a Request for Evidence (RFE) or refusal. For Italy-based investors, getting it right means combining Italian legal drafting with an understanding of what USCIS actually expects to see. Our Italian avvocati and our US-qualified attorneys work as a single team on every Italian EB-5 case so the documentation reads correctly to both jurisdictions.
Working with an EB-5 Lawyer in Milan
Many Italian investors begin their EB-5 process while based in Milan, Italy’s financial capital and home to many of the country’s family-owned industrial and fashion groups.
How Legal Support Is Structured
Working with an EB-5 lawyer in Milan or coordinating with EB-5 avvocati in Italy typically involves:
- Initial consultations remotely or at our Milan office on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II
- Ongoing document preparation handled digitally
- Coordination with US counsel across time zones
- Regular updates throughout the application process
In most cases, there is no need to relocate to the US during the early stages.
Working with our EB-5 Lawyers in Naples on the Consular Interview
All EB-5 immigrant visa interviews for applicants resident in Italy are conducted at the U.S. Consulate General in Naples, which is the sole immigrant visa-issuing post in Italy, San Marino, the Vatican, and Malta (see the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Italy — Immigrant Visas page for confirmation). Our Milan EB-5 lawyers therefore work hand-in-hand with our EB-5 lawyers in Naples, who welcome our Milanese clients to Naples for the consular interview, assist with the final preparations the day before, and where the consular section permits attend the interview alongside the applicant. This Milan–Naples handover is something we manage as a single team, so clients moving from petition stage in Milan to interview stage in Naples experience continuity of representation rather than a handoff between firms.
Our EB-5 Process for Italian Clients (Regional Center)
| Stage | Description | Responsible Party | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Initial Source of Funds Summary | The client provides a short written overview of how funds were accumulated. | Client | 1–3 days |
| 2. Bespoke Source of Funds Checklist | Our Milan SOF team prepares a tailored document request based on the client’s financial profile. | D&A Milan SOF Team | 2–4 days |
| 3. Project Review and Structuring | Our project review and structured finance lawyers advise on project selection and investment structure, including review of I-956F approval status under the 2026 Inventory Management Model. | D&A Milan / London Project Review Team | 1–2 weeks |
| 4. Source of Funds Clearance | Full review and clearance of the source of funds before the investment proceeds. | D&A Milan SOF Team | 2–6 weeks |
| 5. Project Selection and Investment | The client proceeds with the selected EB-5 regional center investment. | Client, supported by D&A Milan EB-5 Team | 1–2 weeks |
| 6. I-526E Petition Preparation | Preparation of the EB-5 petition and supporting documentation. | D&A Milan EB-5 Team | 2–4 weeks |
| 7. Quality Control Review | The petition is reviewed across our New York and Singapore teams, allowing continuous 24-hour progress. | D&A QC Team (New York & Singapore) | 3–7 days |
| 8. Final Review and Signing | The client reviews and signs the I-526E petition and Form G-28. | Client, coordinated by D&A Milan | 1–3 days |
| 9. Filing Preparation | Petition is printed, collated, and finalised for submission. | D&A Filing Team, Los Angeles | 2–3 days |
| 10. USCIS Filing and Intake | Petition is filed with USCIS. Our systems monitor incoming correspondence. | D&A Filing Team (LA) & New York Intake | Filing: 1 day | Receipt: 2–4 weeks |
| 11. Ongoing Project Monitoring | Continuous monitoring of the EB-5 investment project. | D&A US Project Review Team | Ongoing |
| 12. I-526E Approval & NVC Transfer | Approval notice is received and the case is transferred to the National Visa Center. | USCIS & D&A New York | Transfer: 2–6 weeks |
| 13. Immigrant Visa Fee Payment | The client pays the immigrant visa fee following NVC instructions. | Client, coordinated by D&A Milan | 1–2 weeks |
| 14. Casellario Giudiziale & Civil Documents | The client provides required documents including the Casellario Giudiziale (Italian police certificate) and civil records. | Client, coordinated by D&A Milan | 1–4 weeks |
| 15. DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application | Completion and submission of the DS-260 application. | Client, coordinated by D&A Milan | 1–2 weeks |
| 16. Interview & Medical Examination | The client attends the U.S. Consulate General interview in Naples and completes the medical exam at an embassy-approved clinic. | U.S. Consulate Naples, Client, D&A Milan | Dependent on scheduling |
| 17. Post-Interview Debrief | Detailed debrief to address any issues arising from the interview. | D&A Milan EB-5 Team | Within 24–48 hours |
| 18. Immigrant Visa Issued | The client receives their immigrant visa. | U.S. Consulate Naples & Client | 1–2 weeks |
After You Receive Your EB-5 Visa
| Stage | Description | Responsible Party | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19. Entry to the United States | The client enters the US within 6 months and becomes a Conditional Permanent Resident. | Client, supported by D&A Milan | Within 6 months |
| 20. US Onboarding & Advisory | Meeting with our US team to review tax, residency, and compliance requirements, including Italy-US tax treaty considerations. | D&A US Legal & Advisory Team | Shortly after arrival |
| 21. Continued Project Monitoring | Ongoing monitoring of the EB-5 investment. | D&A US Project Review Team | Ongoing |
| 22. Tax & Residency Support | Assistance with US tax filings and Italian residency matters, including coordination with your commercialista. | D&A US Tax & Advisory Team | Ongoing |
| 23. I-829 Petition (Removal of Conditions) | Filing of the I-829 petition approximately two years after entry. | D&A Milan EB-5 Team with US support | ~2 years after entry |
| 24. I-829 Approval | Client receives unconditional permanent residency. | USCIS, represented by D&A EB-5 Team | Typically 2–4+ years |
Lombardy Fashion Group from E-2 to EB-5
Case Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Client | Brianza-based fashion accessories and leather goods group (SPA) |
| Italian Business | Family-owned manufacturer supplying private-label and own-brand accessories to high-end Italian and European retailers |
| Initial U.S. Expansion | Showroom and distribution centre opened in New York under the E-2 visa route |
| Why New York & Florida | Direct access to US department-store buyers and a growing US wholesale and direct-to-consumer market |
| Further Expansion | Second US retail and warehouse facility opened in Florida in 2024 |
| EB-5 Applicant | Founder’s daughter, already in the United States in E-2 status as managing director of the US entity |
| Total Investment in EB-5 | USD 2,150,000 |
| U.S. Jobs by End of 2025 | 12 employees |
| Outcome | Successful E-2 to EB-5 green card filing based on business expansion, qualifying investment, and job creation |
Background
This case involved a Brianza-based client in the fashion accessories sector. Their Italian business is a family-owned SPA supplying private-label and own-brand leather goods to European luxury retailers.
We had originally helped the business expand into the United States under the E-2 visa route. To serve demand from US department-store buyers and to test the US wholesale market directly, the client opened a showroom and small distribution operation in New York.
From an E-2 point of view, this was a relatively straightforward case. The value of the inventory transferred from the Italian parent, together with the fit-out and operating capital for the New York showroom, meant that the investment requirement was comfortably met and the US business was able to begin trading.
Expansion into Retail and Warehousing in Florida
The position changed in 2024, when the business grew again and opened a retail and warehouse facility in Florida. By the end of 2025, the US operation employed 12 people across the New York and Florida sites. At that point, we advised on the next stage: an EB-5 green card application for the founder’s daughter, who was already in the US in E-2 status as the managing director of the US entity.
What made the case particularly interesting was that the EB-5 investment was not a simple cash-only injection. The case had to reflect the real commercial development of the business, including transferred inventory, cash used to establish the Florida facility, payroll support, and intangible assets transferred from the Italian parent.
Our Role
EB-5 Lawyers in Milan
Our EB-5 lawyers in Milan worked closely with our Italian avvocati, the client and members of our US EB-5 filing team to make sure the business was properly documented for EB-5 purposes. That meant not just showing the amount invested, but presenting the story of how the US business had developed, how the investment had been deployed, and how the company’s growth supported the application.
US Corporate Lawyers in Atlanta
At the same time, our Atlanta-based US corporate and commercial lawyers helped the client build out the legal framework for the American operation. That included assisting with state-level retail licences, preparing employment agreements, negotiating commercial leases for the Florida facility, and making sure the underlying documentation was in place both for the running of the business and for the EB-5 filing itself.
Investment Included in the EB-5 Case
In a case like this, the real issue is often not whether enough money has been invested. It is whether an active, growing business can be documented in a way that clearly satisfies EB-5 requirements.
Total Investment Included in EB-5
| Investment Component | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Inventory transferred from Italian parent | 1,180,000 |
| Cash invested in opening Florida retail and warehouse facility | 520,000 |
| Cash remitted to US entity to cover payroll | 275,000 |
| Brand licence assigned by Italian parent to US entity | 175,000 |
| Total Investment | 2,150,000 |
Job Creation in the United States
US Employment Structure at the End of 2025
| Role | Number |
|---|---|
| Retail Store Manager (Florida) | 1 |
| Sales Associates (Florida retail) | 3 |
| Warehouse Supervisor | 1 |
| Warehouse Operatives | 2 |
| Showroom Sales (New York) | 2 |
| Wholesale Account Manager | 1 |
| Bookkeeper / Accountant | 1 |
| Executive Assistant to Managing Director | 1 |
| Total Employees | 12 |
Outcome
This was a successful E-2 to EB-5 filing based on the expansion of an existing US business, a substantial qualifying investment, and the jobs created through that growth.
We regularly advise Italy-based clients on EB-5 matters, especially where an existing E-2 business has grown into something much larger and the owners or family members need a permanent residence solution rather than a temporary visa.
Further Reading
For a fuller explanation of the EB-5 process, including investment rules, timelines, and job creation requirements, see our guide to the EB-5 visa for Italian investors.
Immigrant Visa Processing for Italian Applicants (U.S. Consulate Naples)
All US immigrant visa applications for individuals based in Italy, San Marino, the Vatican, and Malta are processed through the U.S. Consulate General in Naples.
Centralised Processing in Naples
This applies regardless of where you live in Italy. Even though there are U.S. consular sections in Rome, Milan, and Florence, those posts handle nonimmigrant (temporary) visas only. Immigrant visa services — including EB-5 immigrant visas — are centralised at the Consulate General in Naples (Piazza della Repubblica, 80122 Napoli).
What This Means in Practice
For EB-5 applicants based in Italy:
- Your I-526E petition is approved by USCIS
- Your case moves to the National Visa Center
- Your interview is scheduled at the U.S. Consulate General in Naples
You cannot attend an EB-5 immigrant visa interview at the consular sections in Milan, Rome, or Florence.
The Naples Interview Process
Medical Examination
You must attend a medical examination with a consulate-approved panel physician before your interview. Approved physicians for Italy are listed on the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Italy website.
Document Preparation
Applicants must attend with complete and properly organised documentation, including the Casellario Giudiziale (Italian police certificate), civil documents, and the original I-526E approval notice. Missing documents can result in delays or administrative processing.
In-Person Consulate Interview
Your interview takes place at the U.S. Consulate General in Naples. You must attend in person and bring all original documentation.
Practical Considerations for Applicants in the North of Italy
Because all immigrant visa processing is centralised in Naples:
- Travel from Milan, Turin, or other Northern Italian cities to Naples must be planned in advance
- Timing between medical examination and interview must be carefully managed
- Documentation must be fully prepared before travel
This is where working with an experienced EB-5 lawyer in Milan who handles cases through the Naples consulate regularly becomes particularly important.
Choosing the Right EB-5 Lawyer in Milan
Not all immigration lawyers and avvocati have direct experience with EB-5 cases.
What to Look For
When selecting between EB-5 lawyers in Italy, consider:
- Direct experience with EB-5 investor applications
- Familiarity with Italian financial documentation
- Experience handling immigrant visa interviews at the U.S. Consulate General in Naples
- Clear communication and structured process
- Transparency on timelines and fees
- Coordination with US-licensed counsel
- Independent industry recognition (e.g. EB5 Investors Magazine rankings)
- Familiarity with the 30 September 2026 grandfathering deadline and the 30 March 2026 USCIS Inventory Management Model
📖 How to Choose the Right EB-5 Lawyer
Italian Areas We Serve
Our Milan-based EB-5 lawyers advise Italy-based clients across Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Lazio, and the rest of Italy. We regularly act for investors located in:
- Milan (Milano)
- Rome (Roma)
- Turin (Torino)
- Florence (Firenze)
- Bologna
- Venice (Venezia)
- Verona
- Padua (Padova)
- Parma
- Modena
- Brescia & Bergamo
- Brianza & the Lombard Lakes
- Genoa (Genova)
- Naples (Napoli)
Initial consultations are available in person at our Milan office on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, at our Florence office, by telephone, or by video conference.
How We Support Italy-Based EB-5 Clients
We act as your first point of contact in Italy. Whether you are seeking an EB-5 lawyer in Milan or broader support from EB-5 avvocati in Italy, we:
Summary of EB-5 Support in Italy
- Assess your eligibility
- Advise on investment structure
- Coordinate with EB-5 lawyers in the US and our EB-5 filing team
- Support you throughout the process, including the consular interview in Naples
Global Expertise, Local Presence
We bridge the gap between Milan and Los Angeles. Meet our Italy-based partners at our Milan office on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, our Florence office, or via secure video conference. Our team coordinates daily with our New York, London, and Singapore offices on Italian EB-5 matters.
Beyond the EB-5 Visa: A 360 Strategy
Our dual-qualified Italian/US legal team specializes in the high-stakes nuances of the 2022 Reform & Integrity Act (RIA). We provide:
- Audit-Ready Source of Funds: Extensive experience documenting Agenzia delle Entrate records, property gains (plusvalenze), and Italian succession.
- Priority Processing: Strategic filing in Rural and High-Unemployment "Reserved" categories to potentially reduce waiting times where visa numbers remain available.
- Tax Shielding: Integrated advice on US worldwide taxation vs. Italian tax residency and the Italy-US double tax treaty to protect your wealth before you land.
- Seamless Transitions: Expert handling of E-2 to EB-5 "bridge" strategies and Direct EB-5 entrepreneurial filings for Italian SRL and SPA owner-managers.
Speak to an EB-5 Lawyer in Milan
If you are considering the EB-5 visa, early legal guidance is critical. Whether you are looking for an EB-5 lawyer in Milan or experienced EB-5 avvocati in Italy, we can help you structure your application correctly from the outset.
Related EB-5 Resources for Italian Investors
Before speaking with an EB-5 lawyer in Milan, many Italian investors find it helpful to read more about the program itself, the costs involved, and how to choose the right counsel.
- EB-5 Visa Guide 2026 — complete overview of the program, requirements, and process
- EB-5 Visa Costs & Fees 2026 — full breakdown of investment amounts, USCIS filing fees, legal fees, and administration costs
- Guide to Selecting an EB-5 Lawyer — due diligence checklist for choosing the right EB-5 counsel
FAQs About EB-5 Lawyers and Avvocati in Milan
Do I need an EB-5 lawyer or avvocato to apply for the EB-5 visa from Italy?
Yes. Working with an experienced EB-5 lawyer or EB-5 immigration attorney is strongly recommended because the EB-5 process involves complex requirements around source of funds, business structure, and job creation. In addition, many Regional Centers will only accept you as an investor if you are represented by an EB-5 lawyer known to that Regional Center to be competent.
What is the September 30, 2026 EB-5 grandfathering deadline?
Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, EB-5 petitions filed on or before 30 September 2026 qualify for statutory grandfathering protection. This means a properly filed petition received by USCIS before that date is protected against disruption if Congress later allows the Regional Center Program to lapse.
The grandfathering deadline does not change eligibility rules, source of funds requirements, or visa backlog timing. Italian investors who want the option to file by 30 September 2026 should plan backwards from that date because source of funds work, project review, and petition preparation typically take several months.
Can I work with an EB-5 lawyer in Milan for a US immigration case?
Yes. Many applicants work with an EB-5 lawyer in Milan alongside US-based immigration counsel. Your Milan-based advisor typically supports preparation, documentation, and strategy, making themselves available to meet with you throughout your case. A US-based EB-5 immigration attorney handles the formal filing with USCIS and assists your family after you arrive in the US.
What does an EB-5 immigration lawyer do?
An EB-5 immigration lawyer manages the legal aspects of your application, including:
- Preparing and filing the I-526E petition
- Reviewing source of funds
- Ensuring compliance with USCIS requirements
- Managing communication with immigration authorities
They also coordinate Italian documentation with US legal requirements.
How do I choose the best EB-5 lawyer in Milan?
The best EB-5 lawyer in Milan will have direct experience with EB-5 investor cases, familiarity with Italian-based clients, clear communication, and structured processes. Strong coordination between your Milan-based EB-5 lawyer and their firm’s US-based immigration attorneys is critical. Experience with cases similar to yours and an actual US legal presence are more important than general rankings.
How does the new USCIS Inventory Management Model affect Italian EB-5 investors?
Effective 30 March 2026, USCIS reviews Form I-526E petitions only after deciding on the associated Form I-956F project application, then prioritises rural petitions in a separate FIFO queue.
For Italian investors, this means project selection now drives timing as much as priority dates. A regional center project that already has I-956F approval may see investor petitions processed significantly faster than projects whose I-956F is still pending. Rural projects are likely to move fastest. Our Milan EB-5 lawyers review the I-956F status of every project we recommend.
Where will my immigrant visa interview take place if I apply from Italy?
All US immigrant visa interviews for residents of Italy, San Marino, the Vatican, and Malta are conducted at the U.S. Consulate General in Naples (Piazza della Repubblica, 80122 Napoli). This is the sole immigrant visa-issuing post in Italy.
Even if you live in Milan, Rome, Florence, or Turin, your EB-5 immigrant visa interview will be scheduled in Naples, not in Milan. The consular sections in Rome, Milan, and Florence handle nonimmigrant (temporary) visas only.
What is the difference between an EB-5 avvocato in Italy and an EB-5 immigration attorney in the US?
A US EB-5 immigration attorney is licensed in the United States and files petitions with USCIS. An EB-5 avvocato in Milan or elsewhere in Italy is registered with the Ordine degli Avvocati and typically supports preparation, structuring, and Italian-law documentation. Most Italian applicants benefit from working with both, ideally within the same firm.
Can an EB-5 lawyer in Milan help with source of funds?
Yes. This is one of the most important roles of a Milan-based EB-5 lawyer. They help structure and document Italian-based funds, including property, dividends from SRL or SPA companies, business income, gifts, succession, and TFR, so the evidence meets USCIS standards.
Ready to start your EB-5 case from Italy?
If you have read this far, the next step is a confidential conversation about your source of funds and the right project for your circumstances. We can meet you in Milan, in Florence, or by video call.
+39 055 076 3054 Request a consultationOur Italian Presence for Italian EB-5 Investors
Davies & Associates serves Italian EB-5 clients from our Milan office on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II in central Milan, supported by our Florence office and a global network. Our Italy-based lawyers and avvocati work closely with our US-based immigration team, our international taxation team, and our specialist EB-5 filing team in Los Angeles to deliver coordinated cross-border support to Italian investors.
Milan Office
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, n. 15, 20122 Milano MI
Phone: +39 055 076 3054
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 17:00
Our Milan office on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, between Piazza del Duomo and San Babila. Senior partner meetings, source of funds intake, and project review sessions for Italian EB-5 clients in Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, and the North of Italy are held here.
Florence Office
Via Bonifacio Lupi 29, 50129 Firenze FI
Phone: +39 055 076 3054
Our principal Italian office, home to our Italy-qualified avvocati and Italian source of funds team. Italian EB-5 source of funds files are reviewed here before being passed to our complex cases team.
Rome Meeting Location
Centro Roma
Phone: +39 055 076 3054
Our Rome meeting location for Central and Southern Italian clients. Convenient for clients travelling to and from Naples for the U.S. Consulate immigrant visa interview.
Naples Consular Meeting Suite
Near U.S. Consulate General Naples, Piazza della Repubblica
Phone: +39 055 076 3054
Available meeting space close to the U.S. Consulate General in Naples, used for final EB-5 immigrant visa interview preparation and post-interview debriefs for Italian, San Marino, Vatican, and Maltese applicants.
EB-5 Lawyers for Italian Nationals Living Abroad
Davies & Associates also represents Italian nationals based outside Italy — in London, Singapore, Dubai, and the United States — who are pursuing EB-5 from their country of residence rather than from Italy.
Our firm represents an increasing number of Italian nationals abroad filing EB-5. That depth of practice means we are equally well placed to advise Italian nationals who live, study, or work overseas — or who simply prefer to meet their EB-5 lawyers in a different jurisdiction.
Our Milan, Florence, London, New York, and Singapore teams work as a single coordinated practice, so Italian clients abroad receive the same EB-5 expertise, source-of-funds rigour, and family-office sensitivity our Italy team is known for.
EB-5 Lawyers for Indian Nationals Living in Milan and Italy
Davies & Associates represents an established community of Indian nationals based in Milan, Lombardy, and elsewhere in Italy who are pursuing EB-5 from their country of residence. Many are second-generation Indian-origin business owners in the fashion, leather goods, jewellery, hospitality, and import-export sectors that Milan and Northern Italy are known for.
Indian-origin EB-5 cases filed from Italy have particular complexity. Source of funds may be split across Indian and Italian assets — income earned through an Italian SRL, dividends from family companies in India, property in either jurisdiction, or transfers structured through both. Path of funds is often the harder issue. Indian foreign exchange regulations under FEMA can affect how Indian-origin capital is moved out of India to fund a US EB-5 investment, even when the investor is resident in Italy.
Our firm has Indian-qualified lawyers in Mumbai, Bangalore, and New Delhi who handle the FEMA and Indian path-of-funds analysis, working alongside our Milan and Florence teams who handle the Italian side and our US EB-5 attorneys who handle the petition. For Indian nationals in Milan and the wider Italian Indian community, this combined India / Italy / US capability is typically the deciding factor in choosing counsel.
Read more about our EB-5 services for Indian nationals in Milan →
About the Authors
Mark I. Davies, Esq.
Chairman of Davies & Associates; focused on E visa strategy and complex consular filings.
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We are known for our creative solutions that obtain "impossible" visas. We solve the most complex immigration problems for businesses, investors, individuals, and families.
EB-5 Visa Immigration lawyer near meSeveral lawyers told me I would not be able to get a TN visa. Two weeks after contacting Davies & Associates I was working in New York, visa in hand.
Individual seeking 'Impossible' TN VisaD&A was very detail-oriented and very thorough in what they did. They worked on my case 24/7 and were very patient in answering all my questions.
E-2 Visa ClientMy case felt complex but D&A managed the whole process carefully and helped me move seamlessly from one stage to the next.
E2 + CBI ClientD&A was my guiding light through the entire EB-5 process.
EB-5 Visa ClientI would definitely be a big advocate for the rest of my life for anyone wanting to explore the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme leading to the E-2 visa. The most important thing is a good team behind you. With Davies & Associates, you're in safe hands... you need someone who can support you on the ground and, again, you are well taken care of by D&A. The people are really warm, very helpful and quite open-minded when it comes to business... Not to mention as a passport it's great from a travel perspective... It's just 4 to 5 hours from New York.
Grenada CBI + E2 Visa ClientThe entire process of getting an EB-5 visa is handled in a professional way by Mark Davies and his team. EB-5 is a wonderful option for anyone considering moving to the United States if you have the means. I was hoping to use the H-1B route for my children, but it became unreliable and so I looked to the EB-5 visa instead. It is great for anyone who has the resources. Mark gives you the first meetings himself which gives you great comfort. Both Mark and Sanjay are abundantly available and I even had the pleasure of hosting them at my house.
Parent of 2 EB-5 visa holdersI'm in the process of extending my L-1 visa. I submitted a few questions regarding my case, and he contacted me back almost immediately, both by email and telephone. Unlike other attorneys I met before, he gave me the impression of knowing off the top of his head what kind of visa I have, and what actions had to be taken to extend it. He is very thorough and clear regarding the process and what to expect in terms of timelines and issues that may arise. He is constantly in contact, so you definitely know he's working on your case.
L-1B Visa HolderMark Davies is a joy to work with. His extensive knowledge, speedy response and attentive service took away all my fears of dealing with immigration and visa applications. He is very generous with his time in explaining every step along the way and I have already and will in the future recommend him to anybody who is looking for an immigration lawyer.
E2 Visa for Small Professional Business With International OfficesDavies & Associates assisted us with an immigration emergency involving my brother's fiancée who was outside the United States. They assisted us in a highly professional manner, working with the relevant US embassy, US immigration and the governments of two other countries. As a result of their efforts the individual involved is now working in the United States. While their knowledge of the law is exemplary what really distinguishes this firm and attorney Davies from any other firm we have worked with is their dedication to customer service and their unrivaled level of professionalism.
Complex Fiancée Visa Need Involving Multiple International JurisdictionsSeveral lawyers told me I would not be able to get a TN visa. Two weeks after contacting Davies & Associates I was working in New York, visa in hand. I have recommended this firm to several friends and colleagues, they do an excellent job every time.
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