John Burson  edited Thursday, November 6, 2025

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EB-5 Visa November 2025 Bulletin: What Immigrant Investors Need to Know

Understanding EB-5 Visa November 2025: Key Updates for Immigrant Investors

The U.S. Department of State's November 2025 Visa Bulletin presents critical information for investment immigration professionals and aspiring EB-5 investors seeking to navigate the Employment-Based Fifth Preference category. As the immigration landscape continues to evolve, understanding the latest visa allocation updates, category availability, and processing timelines has become essential for strategic immigration planning in the new fiscal year.

The November 2025 visa bulletin reflects the continued implementation of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) of 2022, which fundamentally transformed how visa numbers are allocated across reserved and unreserved investment categories. For qualified immigrant investors, this update signals both opportunities and important considerations when structuring their EB-5 immigration strategy.

The Employment-Based Fifth Preference Category: A Comprehensive Overview

The Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) category represents one of the most accessible pathways to permanent residency through capital investment and job creation. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 203(b), the EB-5 category allocates 7.1% of the worldwide employment-based preference level for immigration creation investments—currently representing approximately 9,800 visa numbers annually.

The EB-5 visa program framework operates on a dual-investment structure:

Unreserved Category: Accommodates general investors and those from countries without specific allocations.

Reserved Set-Aside Categories: Three categories established by the RIA to prioritize investments in targeted employment areas:

• Rural regions (20% allocation)
• High-unemployment areas (10% allocation)
• Infrastructure projects (2% allocation)

FY2026 Visa Allocation Framework: What Changed

Fiscal Year 2026, which commenced October 1, 2025, introduced a fresh allocation of EB-5 visa numbers following the exhaustion of FY2025 unreserved visa limits in September. This reset is crucial for immigrant investors, as it reactivated visa availability in categories that had become backlogged.

According to the State Department allocation mechanism, the statutory framework for FY2026 maintains the same structural allocations established under the RIA. The worldwide employment-based preference level of at least 140,000 visa numbers is distributed across five employment-based preference categories, with EB-5 capturing its designated 7.1% share.

The allocation methodology prioritizes applicants chronologically based on priority dates—the date USCIS receives Form I-526E investor petitions. This "first come, first served" principle ensures equitable processing while maintaining predictability for investors who understand their position in the queue.

EB-5 Unreserved Category Status: November 2025 Updates

The November 2025 visa bulletin reveals distinct availability patterns across the unreserved EB-5 category based on country of chargeability:

China-Mainland Born Investors

The final action date remains December 8, 2015 (Chart A), with a filing date of July 1, 2016 (Chart B). This represents ongoing retrogression, indicating that investor demand significantly exceeds available visa numbers for this chargeability area. Chinese investors must hold priority dates earlier than these thresholds to access unreserved visa numbers.

India-Chargeability Investors

The November bulletin reflects stability for India's unreserved EB-5 category at February 1, 2021 (final action date) and April 1, 2022 (dates for filing). While India experienced substantial movement in October 2025—advancing 444 days to February 1, 2021—November shows stabilization, suggesting allocation adjustments and continued demand management by the State Department.

All Other Countries

For investors chargeable to nations outside China and India, the unreserved EB-5 category remains current, meaning visa numbers are immediately available regardless of priority date. This presents significant advantages for investors from countries without substantial backlogs, enabling faster green card processing and reduced immigration uncertainty.

EB-5 Set-Asides: Current Availability Across All Categories

A transformative aspect of the November 2025 visa bulletin is the continued current status across all three EB-5 set-aside categories for every country of chargeability. This represents unprecedented opportunity within the EB-5 program structure.

Rural Investment Set-Asides (20% Allocation)

Projects situated in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) meeting rural qualification criteria—areas outside Metropolitan Statistical Areas with populations fewer than 20,000—maintain current visa availability. Rural EB-5 investments qualify for a reduced investment threshold of $800,000 and benefit from priority processing of Form I-526E petitions, resulting in approval timelines as brief as five months.

High-Unemployment Set-Asides (10% Allocation)

TEAs designated as high-unemployment areas—regions experiencing unemployment rates at least 150% above the national average—also maintain current status. These investments similarly benefit from the $800,000 reduced investment amount, though without priority processing advantages enjoyed by rural projects.

Infrastructure Project Set-Asides (2% Allocation)

Government-administered infrastructure projects involving public works financing, maintenance, or construction now represent an emerging investment category with current availability. Though representing the smallest allocation, infrastructure projects offer $800,000 investment thresholds and dedicated visa set-asides reserved exclusively for infrastructure investors.

EB-5 Investment Requirements: Capital Thresholds and Job Creation Mandates

Understanding the quantitative requirements is fundamental to EB-5 investment planning. The November 2025 visa bulletin contextualizes these requirements within the fiscal year 2026 allocation framework:

Capital Investment Requirements

Standard Investment Threshold: $1,050,000 for projects located outside TEAs or not qualifying for set-aside designations.

Reduced Investment Threshold: $800,000 for investments meeting TEA qualification criteria—including rural areas, high-unemployment regions, and government-administered infrastructure projects.

Job Creation Requirement

All EB-5 investors must demonstrate that their capital investment will create at least ten full-time, permanent jobs for U.S. workers. This employment generation represents the core economic benefit justifying visa allocation under the immigration statute.

These requirements have remained consistent through the November 2025 bulletin, providing regulatory clarity for immigrant investors structuring capital deployment strategies.

EB-5 Processing Timeline: From I-526E to Green Card

The November 2025 visa bulletin operates within the context of established USCIS processing parameters. Current EB-5 processing timelines include:

Form I-526E Processing

Initial investor petition adjudication requires 29.5 to 61 months on average, though rural project petitions often receive adjudication within 5 months due to priority processing provisions.

Priority Date Assignment

Upon USCIS receipt of Form I-526E, applicants receive priority dates determining their place within the visa queue referenced in monthly bulletins.

Visa Number Availability

Once priority dates become current per the visa bulletin, investors can proceed toward conditional green card status.

I-485 or DS-260 Processing

Adjustment of status (I-485) or consular processing (DS-260) follows visa number availability, typically requiring 6 to 12 months for overseas applicants or 7 to 29 months for domestic adjustment applicants.

I-829 Removal of Conditions

After two years of conditional permanent resident status, investors file Form I-829 to remove conditions, with processing typically requiring 22 to 48.5 months.

Strategic Advantages of EB-5 Set-Aside Investments Today

The November 2025 bulletin reinforces the compelling advantages offered by EB-5 set-aside category investments:

Immediate Visa Availability

Current status across rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure categories means investors can progress without encountering visa number backlogs that plague unreserved categories for China and India chargeability areas.

Accelerated I-526E Processing

Rural projects specifically benefit from priority processing, potentially reducing initial petition adjudication from 5+ years to approximately 5 months—a dramatic compression benefiting immigration timeline certainty.

Reduced Capital Requirements

The $800,000 investment threshold for set-aside projects represents $250,000 in savings compared to standard investments, improving investor returns and capital efficiency.

Enhanced Geographic Economic Impact

By directing capital toward underserved rural regions and high-unemployment communities, EB-5 set-aside investors contribute meaningfully to economic development while building strong public policy narratives supporting investment immigration.

Priority Date System: Understanding Visa Allocation Mechanics

The November 2025 bulletin's charts reflect the underlying priority date mechanism governing EB-5 visa allocation. Final action dates indicate the earliest priority dates for which visa numbers are allocated, while dates for filing suggest priority dates for which applications can be submitted to USCIS.

For EB-5 investors, priority date positioning relative to bulletin cutoff dates determines:

• Immediate visa availability: Current status permits processing regardless of priority date
• Visa number queuing: Retrogressed dates establish waiting periods until priority dates advance through subsequent bulletins
• Strategic filing decisions: Investors use bulletin dates to determine optimal timing for I-526E submission

The November 2025 bulletin's current status across all set-aside categories suggests robust visa number availability and minimal queuing for these investment pathways.

Frequently Asked Questions About November 2025 EB-5 Updates

Has the EB-5 unreserved category recovered after FY2025 exhaustion?

Yes. FY2026 allocation reset provides fresh visa numbers, though China and India-chargeability investors face ongoing retrogression. Other countries enjoy current availability.

Are rural investments still receiving priority processing in November 2025?

Confirmed. Rural set-aside projects maintain priority processing advantages, resulting in significantly accelerated I-526E adjudications.

Can I switch from unreserved to set-aside categories?

Investment project characteristics and USCIS I-956F designations determine category assignment. Investors should structure investments aligned with their immigration timeline priorities.

How quickly can I obtain a green card through EB-5 set-asides today?

Current visa availability, priority processing for rural projects, and strategic planning can compress timelines to approximately 12-18 months from I-526E filing to conditional green card issuance in optimal scenarios.

Conclusion: Strategic Planning for EB-5 Investors in FY2026

The November 2025 Visa Bulletin reinforces the EB-5 program's evolution as a competitive immigration pathway offering unprecedented accessibility through set-aside category investments. For immigrant investors prioritizing timeline certainty, capital efficiency, and economic contribution alignment, the current bulletin environment presents optimal positioning.

The combination of current visa availability across rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure categories, accelerated processing for rural projects, and the fresh FY2026 allocation creates compelling strategic opportunities. Immigration investors should engage qualified EB-5 professionals to align investment selection with individual immigration objectives, financial parameters, and risk tolerance.

Understanding November 2025 bulletin implications empowers investors to make informed decisions within the evolving employment-based immigration framework, transforming capital investment into secured permanent residency pathways.

About Paperfree

Paperfree helps investors find the best investment opportunities for their EB-5 visa success. We connect qualified immigrant investors with vetted EB-5 projects that align with their immigration goals, risk tolerance, and timeline requirements. Our specialized platform streamlines the investment selection process, providing access to rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure set-aside opportunities that offer current visa availability and accelerated processing.

Whether you're seeking priority processing through rural investments, capital efficiency through TEA projects, or immediate visa number availability, Paperfree matches you with investment opportunities designed for EB-5 success.

Ready to find your ideal EB-5 investment? Book Your free Consultation and explore current investment opportunities and connect with our EB-5 investment specialists today.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. EB-5 visa applications involve complex legal and financial considerations. Consult with qualified immigration attorneys and financial advisors before making investment decisions.

 
 
 

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