EB 5 Visa Processing Time, A Journey Towards Green Card 2025

Get 2025 Green Card insights with PaperFree.com: Detailed EB5 visa processing time, essential steps, and insights for investors.

last updated Thursday, December 26, 2024
#eb 5 visa processing time #eb5 processing time

John Burson

QUICK LINKS

AD
Get access to EB 5 Visa Investment Projects

Key Takeaways

I-526 Form: EB5 processing time for Form I-526 takes about 2 years.
Adjustment of Status: Takes 6-8 months as part of the EB5 processing time.
I-829 Form: The EB5 processing time for Form I-829 is approximately 2 years.
Investment Requirement: Minimum $1.05M investment or $850K in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA).
Job Creation: EB5 investment must create 10 full-time U.S. jobs.
TEA Processing: EB5 processing time for TEA investments is slightly faster, around 15-18 months.
Conditional Green Card: Granted for 2 years during EB5 processing.
Permanent Green Card: Achieved after approval of Form I-829.
Capital Repayment: EB5 investors can get capital repayment after 5-7 years.
Citizenship: Investors can apply for U.S. citizenship 5 years after obtaining their EB5 Green Card.

EB5 Processing Time Overview

Obtaining a Green Card via the eb5 visa timeline involves several distinct stages. Grasping the EB 5 visa processing time necessitates a clear comprehension of these steps.
EB-5 processing times Overview:

Step #	Action or document	Processing Time (Average)
1	Form I - 526	Two years
2	Adjustment of Status	Seven months
3	Form I - 829	Two years

The EB-5 Visa Program is recognized as a swift and reliable path to acquiring a U.S. Green Card. This program allows the investor, spouse, and unmarried children under 21 to gain permanent residency in the United States through a single investment.

By opting for an EB-5 investment, families can live, work, study, and travel anywhere in the United States without restrictions. Furthermore, EB-5 immigrant investors who have secured their Green Card status can apply for U.S. citizenship just five years after obtaining permanent residency.

While navigating the EB-5 process can be complex and typically requires professional legal guidance, the program's historical success rates suggest that it is a beneficial route for many eligible investors.

This article aims to provide the minimum investment-intensive insights into what immigrant investors need to understand to successfully secure an EB-5 investment visa and establish permanent residency in the U.S. for their family.

In this discussion, we focus on the "EB-5 Visa Processing Time: A Journey Towards Green Card 2024", detailing the timeline and steps involved in this process.

For those interested in financing options within the EB-5 program, our article on EB-5 Loans provides in-depth information about how loans can be utilized to meet investment requirements.

Overview of the requirements to get an EB5 Visa

Eligibility of the Business
Your investment should be in a commercial business established after November 29, 1990. The business must be profit-oriented and operate within legal boundaries.
Minimum Investment Requirements
There are two investment thresholds:
- Standard: You need to invest at least $1.05 million.
- Reduced Rate for Certain Areas: The minimum investment in a Targeted Employment Area is $850,000.
  To learn more, open the page - EB5 Investment Amount And Total Cost of EB5 program.
Source of Funds
Ensure that your money comes from legitimate sources.
Job Creation Criterion
Your investment should generate at least ten full-time jobs for American workers.
Risk Factors of Investment
The investment must actively engage in the business. It's insufficient to deposit the funds in the business’s bank account; they must be actively utilized in business operations.

EB5 Visa Processing Time Details

1. I-526 Form Processing

Processing time: 2-Years Average

Initiating the EB5 visa process starts with submitting Form I-526, the “Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur.”

In the EB5 pathway, achieving unconditional permanent residency involves first being a conditional permanent resident for two years.

This conditional permanent residency is granted upon filing Form I-526. Presently, processing the I-526 form takes around two years.

After the I-526 is approved, applicants become eligible to adjust their status or proceed with applying for their EB5 visa.

2. Consular Processing and Adjustment of Status Processing

Processing time: 6 to 8 Months Average

After receiving approval for Form I-526, you have two choices: either proceed with an adjustment of status or apply for the EB5 visa through a consulate or embassy outside the United States.

Adjustment of Status

Adjustment of status refers to the transition from a non-immigrant to an immigrant status while in the U.S. To be eligible, you must legally hold a valid non-immigrant status within the U.S. The procedure for adjusting status involves submitting Form I-485. Typically, the processing time for Form I-485 ranges from 6 to 8 months.

Consular Processing

Consular processing involves applying for an EB5 visa from an overseas consulate or embassy. This method is typically chosen if you are not legally residing in the U.S. The initial step in this process requires filing Form DS-260 online. The relevant consulate or embassy then evaluates the submitted documents and arranges a visa interview. Following a successful interview for the EB5 visa, the visa is generally issued within a week. Overall, this procedure usually spans 6 to 8 months.

Upon approval of your status adjustment or entry into the country with a valid EB5 visa, you become a conditional permanent resident for two years.

Presently, a phenomenon known as visa retrogression affects EB5 investors born in Mainland China. This occurs due to the overwhelming demand for EB5 visas among these investors, leading to an extended waiting period. This delay kicks in after the approval of Form I-526 before investors can apply for an EB5 visa or adjust their status. This additional waiting time for investors from Mainland China is around three and a half years.

3. I-829 Form Processing

Processing time: 2-Years Average

The final phase of the EB5 process involves submitting Form I-829. As an EB5 investor, you initially obtain conditional permanent residency for two years. During these two years, you must maintain your investment in the EB5 business and fulfill the requirement of creating ten full-time jobs.

Approximately three months before your conditional residency expires, you can file Form I-829, also known as the “Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status.” Following the approval of Form I-829, your status is upgraded to that of an unconditional permanent resident.

What is the process and timeline for obtaining an EB5 Visa through investing in the Regional Center?

The EB-5 visa process is multistage. Your EB-5 visa filing process depends on whether you reside in the US or overseas.

Regional Center EB5 Visa Processing Steps
A. Applicants Residing Outside the United States	B. Applicants Residing Inside the United States
Documented source of funds Scouting projects for investment Applying for a conditional green card (form I-526E) Preparing for the counselor interview Receipt of Conditional Green Card Filing for Removal of Conditions Return of Capital Receipt of Unconditional Green Card	Documented source of funds Scouting projects for investment Applying for a conditional green card (form I-562E) Applying adjustment of status (form I-485) Applying for work authorization (form I-765) Receipt of work authorization Receipt of Conditional Green Card Filing for Removal of Conditions Return of Capital Receipt of Unconditional Green Card

Related content: EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Centers

EB5 green card process for applicants residing outside the U.S.

Documented Source of Funds.
A foreign investor must demonstrate that the capital they invest in an EB-5 project is legally obtained. At this stage, a US-licensed immigration attorney can help assemble all necessary documentation. Applicants commonly acquire their investment funds through gifts from parents or relatives. These funds can come from various sources, such as earnings from professional work, investment portfolios, property sales, or loans.
Choose a Project and Invest.
The USCIS scrutinizes the business plan of your chosen investment project to ensure it aligns with immigration law requirements. The minimum investment threshold is set at $800,000 for projects in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA) and $1 million for those in non-TEAs. The adjudication process for this application typically spans between 18 to 24 months.
Conditional Green Card Application.
File an Immigrant Petition (I-526E form) with the Regional Center and Receive a Conditional Green Card. Following your investment, the regional center will issue a receipt confirming your contribution to the EB-5 project. After, your attorney will go ahead and apply for a conditional Green Card. The processing time for this application, specifically for Form I-526E, generally ranges from 18 to 24 months.
Consulate Interview.
After receiving approval for Form I-526E, the case is transferred from USCIS to the National Visa Center. Within approximately 6 to 8 months, an invitation for a consular interview is extended. The investor and any dependents seeking the conditional Green Card must attend this interview. The Regional Center team, along with immigration attorneys, assists in preparing for this interview. They provide comprehensive information, including updates on the project's progress, details about using EB5 funds, and how these funds contribute to job creation in America—the examples of questions to expect at the interview:
1. Where did you invest your capital?
2. What is the nature of the project, which includes the asset class?
3. What is the latest update on the project?
4. How were the funds sourced and invested in the project?
Entry Visa Received.
After a successful interview, an immigrant visa stamp is issued on your passport, granting you a six-month window to enter the United States.
Activate Conditional Green Card.
For the EB5 green card processing time, upon your arrival in the United States, your conditional Green Card will become active. An immigration officer at the port of entry will record your details, and your Green Card will be mailed to you.
Removal Conditions.
File form I-829 within a specific timeframe – 21 months after receiving your conditional Green Card and before it reaches its 24-month expiration – your immigration attorney will apply for the removal of conditions. A crucial aspect of this process is demonstrating that your funds, initially held in an escrow account, were ultimately utilized in the project outlined in the business plan. It's essential to prove that these funds were spent and contributed to creating at least 10 American jobs per investor.
Repayment of Capital.
EB5 projects are typically structured so that investors become eligible for capital repayment after completing two years from receiving their conditional Green Card. Once the loan term, usually 5 to 7 years, concludes and investors have surpassed the two-year mark after receiving their conditional Green Card, they are entitled to receive their funds back. Importantly, EB5 investors are not required to wait for their application's approval to remove conditions to get their investment returned.
Receipt of Unconditional Green Card.
The issuance of an unconditional Green Card typically takes 30 to 36 months. Consequently, USCIS has implemented a policy to extend the conditional Green Card for an additional 48 months from the date of applying for removal of conditions. This extension ensures there's no lapse in your residency status. Regarding rights, responsibilities, and obligations, there are no differences between a conditional and an unconditional Green Card. Whether you reside inside or outside the United States, your investment requirements and the commitment to create ten American jobs remain constant.

EB 5 process for U.S.-based applicants

The EB-5 application procedure varies for individuals already residing in the United States under different visa categories. Suppose you transition to an EB-5 visa from an employment-based visa such as H1B or L1, a student visa like F-1, J-1, or M-1, or an entrepreneur visa such as an E2 Visa. In that case, please follow specific steps tailored to this situation.

Documented Source of Funds.
Investors must prove the legality of their investment funds' origin. To fulfill this requirement, they can enlist the assistance of a US-licensed immigration attorney, who can help gather and prepare all the requisite documentation.
Choose a Project and Invest.
The USCIS evaluates your investment project's business plan to confirm its compliance with immigration law standards. The necessary investment is at least $800,000 for projects in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA) and $1 million for non-TEA regions. The adjudication of this application generally requires a timeframe of 18 to 24 months.
Conditional Green Card Application.
Concurrent filing for a Conditional Green Card (Form I-526E), Adjustment of Status (Form I-485), and Work Authorization (Form I-765). The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, enacted on March 15, 2022, allows applicants in the United States to simultaneously file for an adjustment of status with their conditional Green Card application. This provision allows U.S. citizens to live and work legally while processing their EB5 Petition Green Card. By applying for an adjustment of status and work authorization, applicants indicate their intention to transition from their current visa status to permanent residency. This application type grants the right to reside in the U.S. until the Green Card is issued, irrespective of the future validity of the underlying visa. Work authorization is typically received within 3 to 6 months, allowing applicants to continue living in the United States until they receive their Green Card, regardless of their current visa status.
Application Approval.
Approval of application for a conditional green card or Form I-526E and receipt of conditional Green Card Following the examination of the EB5 investor's source of funds and the business plan of the EB5 project, USCIS typically issues an approval within 18 to 24 months from the filing date and grants a conditional Green Card.
Unconditional Green Card Application.
Apply for an unconditional Green Card or Form I-829. After the initial steps, obtaining an unconditional Green Card takes around 30 to 36 months. During this period, you'll need to show to USCIS that your investment was indeed made in the project outlined in the business plan and that it led to the creation of 10 American jobs. To ensure the continuity of your residency status, your conditional Green Card is extended by 48 months, eliminating any potential gap in your status.
Repayment of Invested Capital.
The EB-5 program offers a reliable route to obtaining a Green Card and eventual U.S. Citizenship while also focusing on the safeguarding and potential repayment of the investor's capital. EB5 Investors can qualify for the repayment of their capital even before acquiring their unconditional Green Card, subject to meeting specific criteria under the terms of the EB5 project. Typically, Regional Centers arrange for the return of capital upon the fulfillment of two particular conditions:
- Completion of loan term of 5 to 7 years and
- Completion of 2 years from receipt of a conditional green card.

FAQ:

How long does the EB-5 process take?

After a successful interview for the EB5 visa, the EB5 visa is usually issued within a week. The entire process leading up to this point typically spans 6 to 8 months. Following the approval of your adjustment of status or your entry into the U.S. with a valid EB5 visa timeline, you attain the status of a conditional permanent resident for two years.

What is the success rate of EB-5?

Immigrant investors submit Form I-526 or Form I-526E to show USCIS their adherence to the EB-5 visa program's requirements and regulations. The approval rate for these I-526 petitions typically varies between approximately 75% and over 80%.

Is USCIS processing faster in 2023?

During the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2023, the processing times for Forms I-485 and I-130 (specifically when sponsored by a U.S. citizen) improved significantly. In contrast, the processing duration for Form I-129F continued to be relatively lengthy.

What is the current processing time for the EB5 visa in 2023?

As of 2023, the current EB5 processing time for the I-526 petition is approximately 18 to 24 months, with additional time for conditional and permanent residency processes.

Why is the EB5 I 526 processing time so long?

The EB5 I-526 processing time, according to the EB5 visa timeline, is lengthy due to the intricate verification of investment details and the legal complexities in ensuring compliance with immigration laws. High demand and a backlog of applications also contribute to extended processing times.

What is the processing time for GC through EB5?

The processing time for obtaining a Green Card through the EB5 program generally spans from 18 to 24 months for the I-526 petition. After that, obtaining conditional residency and an unconditional Green Card can take 2 to 4 years.

What is the processing time for an EB5 visa application for a rural project?

Due to prioritized processing for rural investments, the EB5 rural processing time can be slightly shorter, often ranging from 15 to 18 months for the I-526 petition.