John Burson  edited Friday, May 16, 2025

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The 15th Annual IIUSA EB-5 Industry Forum: Key Insights and Industry Updates

The event provided extensive networking opportunities and highlighted industry best practices and emerging trends.

The 15th Annual IIUSA EB-5 Industry Forum, held April 28-30, 2025, in Houston, Texas, brought together leading professionals from the EB-5 investment community to discuss critical industry developments.

This premier gathering featured comprehensive sessions on regulatory changes, visa processing challenges, and strategies for navigating the program under the current administration. 

Key highlights included expert panels on EB-5 adjudication trends, the impact of recent visa retrogression for Chinese and Indian investors, and IIUSA's upcoming economic impact study.

The event, hosted at the Thompson Houston hotel (which itself was partially funded through EB-5 investment), provided valuable networking opportunities and strategic insights into the evolving landscape of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

Event Overview and Organization

The 15th Annual IIUSA EB-5 Industry Forum was hosted at the Thompson Houston by Hyatt, a venue with special significance as it was built in part with EB-5 financing by Houston EB5, who served as the Host City Sponsor. This three-day conference represented one of the most important gatherings for the EB-5 industry, bringing together regional center operators, immigration attorneys, investors, developers, and government officials.

The forum was strategically organized to provide both educational content and networking opportunities for attendees. The event featured expert-led discussions, industry updates, and chances for professionals from across the globe to connect. In addition to the forum itself, IIUSA also conducted its 20th Annual Membership Meeting during the event, highlighting the association's longstanding role in supporting and advocating for the EB-5 program.

Key sessions during the forum included discussions on EB-5 Advocacy & Government Affairs, Post-RIA (Reform and Integrity Act) Project Success & Strategies, USCIS Adjudication Trends, Investor Communications & Relations, and previews of IIUSA's Latest Economic Impact Study. These sessions were designed to address the most pressing issues facing EB-5 stakeholders in 2025.

The key topics covered at the 15th Annual IIUSA EB-5 Industry Forum included:

• EB-5 Advocacy & Government Affairs
• Post-Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) Project Success & Strategies
• USCIS Adjudication Trends
• Investor Communications & Relations
• IIUSA’s Latest Economic Impact Study

Additionally, the forum featured expert-led discussions on EB-5 history, terminology, regional center operations, the immigration process, and the role of economics. It also included the first-ever EB-5 Basics Live! Seminar designed for newcomers to the industry. The event provided extensive networking opportunities and highlighted industry best practices and emerging trends.

Strategic Recommendations and Future Outlook

Leveraging the September 2026 Grandfathering Deadline
With the September 30, 2026, deadline approaching, regional centers are accelerating Form I-956F filings to secure grandfathering protections for investors, ensuring project continuity if congressional reauthorization lapses. This strategy also aids in marketing stability to prospective applicants.

Integrating AI and Advanced Technologies

While not directly addressed in EB-5 sessions, parallel discussions at events like CES 2025 highlighted Meta’s AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses, showcasing potential applications for real-time translation and compliance monitoring in EB-5 project management. Such innovations could streamline multilingual investor communications and site inspections.

Advocacy and Economic Impact Analysis

IIUSA’s upcoming economic impact study, analyzing 2016–2020 data, aims to quantify the program’s contributions to job creation and infrastructure development. Preliminary findings were teased as a tool for bolstering advocacy efforts, particularly in lobbying for visa quota expansions and regulatory clarity.

Key Takeaways from the 15th Annual IIUSA EB-5 Industry Forum

Gold Card Proposal Status

There has been little to no legislative progress on the Trump-Lutnick Gold Card proposal. Moving it forward would likely require Congressional approval through a reconciliation process to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act.

USCIS Processing Times for Form I-526E

The average approval time for rural EB-5 projects (Form I-526E) is about 9 months.

For High Unemployment Area (HUA) projects, approval takes around 16 months.
These timelines align with WR Immigration’s experience, especially when Form I-956F is approved.

September 30, 2026, Grandfathering Deadline

Regional Centers are focused on the upcoming deadline that “grandfathers” immigrant investors who file before this date, protecting them if Congress does not extend the Regional Center program. Many are filing Form I-956F soon to market their projects better.

Shift Toward Rural EB-5 Projects

Over the past year, rural EB-5 project filings have increased from 48% to 70%, while HUA filings have decreased. Regional Centers face challenges identifying strong rural projects and are also considering smaller HUA projects.

High Percentage of Investors Already in the U.S.

According to Customer Bank data, over 40% of EB-5 applicants are already in the U.S. and file for adjustment of status concurrently with Form I-526E. For Indian nationals, this figure rises to 85%.

Demand for Reserved Visa Numbers and Retrogression Risk

There is significant demand for reserved visa numbers pending at USCIS, which could lead to visa retrogression. Investors must understand this risk before making the $800,000 investment.

Increase in Form I-829 Denials and Removal Proceedings

Denials of Form I-829 petitions are rising due to insufficient job creation, fund misappropriation, or re-adjudication of the source of funds. Notices to Appear (NTAs) are increasingly issued with denials, triggering removal proceedings.

Limitations on Filing Second Adjustment of Status

Having a pending Form I-485 and authorized stay does not automatically allow a second adjustment of status petition if a subsequent EB-5 filing (Form I-956F or initial Form I-526E) is denied.

Approved Form I-956F Mitigates Immigration Risk but Not Financial Risk

Investing in a Regional Center project with an approved Form I-956F reduces immigration risk but does not guarantee financial returns, repayment likelihood, or actual job creation needed to remove conditions.

Consular Denials Related to Communist Party Membership

U.S. Consulates in Guangzhou and Ho Chi Minh City have issued summary dismissals or denials on DS-260 visa applications based on alleged communist party membership, sometimes without allowing applicants to rebut inadmissibility claims.

Source: WR Immigration

Conclusion

The 15th Annual IIUSA EB-5 Industry Forum provided a comprehensive platform for industry professionals to engage with the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the EB-5 program in 2025. From policy developments under the current administration to visa availability challenges and economic impact research, the event covered the full spectrum of issues relevant to EB-5 stakeholders.

As the EB-5 industry continues to navigate a complex regulatory environment and visa availability challenges, forums like this play a crucial role in fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and developing strategies to ensure the program's continued success in supporting economic development and job creation across the United States. The insights and connections gained at this event will likely influence industry practices and strategies as stakeholders work to adapt to the evolving landscape of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

 
 
 

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