The EB-5 Visa Processing Time spans the period from making your investment in a qualified EB-5 project to becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident with a Green Card. In our recent experience at AWS Title Services, the EB 5 Visa Processing Time for the initial immigrant investor petition Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor is between 6-12 months for investments in rural area projects. The overall EB5 Timeline for investors applying within the US is shorter compared to investors outside the US due to the availability of concurrent filing. As of October 2023, under the new EB5 program (Reform & Integrity Act of 2022) no extra visa availability wait times exist for any EB5 investors regardless of country of origin.

Key Points:

  • There are 5 stages in the processing of EB-5 visa to get a permanent Green Card.
  • Your choice of investment project may reduce processing times.
  • Check other factors that will affect your EB5 Timeline such as your country of chargeability, priority date and concurrent filing of forms I-485 & I-526E.

Here at AWS Title Services, we make sure that you have the latest timeline for EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program. We have successfully helped numerous families navigate the process and wait times for USA permanent residency through investment. 

What steps (stages) are involved in the EB-5 Visa Processing Time?

Getting a EB5 Green Card involves the following steps. Average EB5 processing times for each of the steps are given below.

  1. Funding and Investing in an EB-5 project (2 months)
  2. Filing Form I-526 or I-526E (6 to 24 months)
  3. Adjustment of Status in the US with Form I-485 OR Consular processing with Form DS-260 (6-12 months)
  4. Conditional Green Card (2 Years)
  5. Approval of Form I-829 (22 to 48.5 months)

    As with any visa category, EB 5 Visa Processing Times fluctuate depending on the number of pending applications and new applicants filing each year. AWS Title Services consistently monitors EB-5 Visa updates to ensure the latest processing timeline available to you. In the following section, we will take you through the details of current average processing times for each stage of the EB5 process. 

What is EB 5 Visa Processing Time?

Total time for processing of EB 5 visa ranges from 1 to 3 years. This timespan starts from filing of EB-5 application I-526E form and end at the approval of Form I-829 (permanent Green Card).

Processing times for EB 5 Visa varies for each stage of many applications/ forms involved.

EB-5 Timeline is influenced by your location at the time of application. Below are the 5 key steps of the EB-5 Visa process and explanation of the associated average processing times. 

What is EB 5 Visa Processing Time?

The average timeline for organizing your source of funds documentation and investing in an EB5 Project is 2 months. Your capital investment must come from lawful sources so you need to present enough evidence to prove the legitimacy of your EB 5 investment. We work with immigration attorneys specializing in the EB 5 Visa to help you write a comprehensive source of funds report.

Once you’ve prepared the documentation for your capital investment, we will assist you in choosing the right EB-5 Project that suits your needs. We perform due diligence on EB-5 Visa Projects to ensure that you invest in a project that meets USCIS standards.

After selecting an investment project, your capital is then deposited into the project’s EB 5 escrow account. You then proceed to the next step which is filing your EB5 immigrant petition. 

2. Filing Form I-526 or I-526E (6 to 24 months)

Processing of Form I-526 (Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor)/Form I-526E (Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor) is between 6 to 24 months. Your I-526/I-526E petition is filed by your immigration attorney on your behalf showing that you have invested or are in the process of investing the required minimum capital. Obtaining approval for your I-526 means that you are eligible to apply for an EB-5 Green Card.

3. Adjustment of Status in the US with Form I-485 OR Consular processing with Form DS-260 (6 to 12 months)

The EB5 Timeline for investors adjusting their status in the United States is between 6 to 12 months. You must submit Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) to USCIS to apply for a Green Card in the United States.

Concurrent Filing of I-485 and I-526E petitions
Immigrant investors from non-backlogged countries holding a valid nonimmigrant status in the US are able to file their I-485 and I-526E petitions concurrently for shorter EB 5 Visa Processing Times. Additionally, you are qualified for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and travel document so you can work and travel freely while your adjustment of status for a US investor visa is being adjudicated.

Consular Processing
Consular processing for an EB5 Visa for investors outside the U.S. takes between 6 to 12 months. Your I-526E needs to be approved before you submit your Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Electronic Application) online via the U.S. Department of State (DOS) website. Your application is then processed by the National Visa Center (NVC) before being forwarded to the U.S. embassy or consulate of your country. Your EB5 Visa interview will be scheduled within 60 to 90 days if your priority date is current. 

4. Conditional Green Card (2 Years)

You become a Conditional Permanent Resident for 2 years after getting your EB 5 Visa application approval. Within this period, you must fulfill the investment and job creation requirements of the EB 5 Program. Your capital investment needs to generate at least 10 full-time positions for qualified U.S. workers. As Conditional Green Card holders, you, your spouse, and unmarried children under 21 get to live, work, and study in the USA without restrictions.

5. Approval of Form I-829 (22 to 48.5 months)

Processing time for Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status) is between 22 to 48.5 months on average. Your I-829 petition must be filed 90 days before your Conditional Green Card expires. Your status as a Conditional Permanent Resident is automatically extended for 2 years once you file your I-829 form.

Approval of your I-829 removes the conditions on your EB 5 Green Card and makes you a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the USA which is valid for 10 years and renewable unlimitedly. You have the option to apply for U.S. citizenship after 5 years as a Green Card holder.

Now that you know the timeline for getting an EB-5 Visa, let’s further discuss the concepts related to the application process such as wait times, priority dates, and the country of chargeability. 

How to reduce Processing Times for EB5 Visa?

Two ways to significantly reduce processing times for EB-5 Visa are:

  1. Investing into a rural area project reduces processing times. An EB-5 project in a rural area are categorized as “Set Aside” visas for expedited processing. In our experience, some investors with rural area projects, have gotten Form I-526E approval within 6-12 months instead of 29 months. Read more about Reserved EB-5 Visas.

  2. Immigrant investors from non-backlogged countries holding a valid nonimmigrant status in the US are able to file their I-485 and I-526E petitions concurrently for shorter EB 5 Visa Processing Times. This could reduce 12 to 24 months from your total timeline. 

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When can I move to the United States after I file for EB-5 visa?

If you live outside of the US, you can move to the United States after your Adjustment of status application form I-485 has been approved. You and your family will be granted a 2 year conditional Green Card. Moving to the United States on EB-5 conditional Green Card takes 2 to 4 years.

How Long is the EB5 Visa Wait Time in 2023?

There is no EB5 Visa Wait Time in 2023 since there is no backlog (retrogression) for all countries except for China. EB5 Wait Time results when the number of immigrant investor applicants exceeds the total annual allotment of visas per country. The Visa Bulletin from the Department of State (DOS) website shows the final action dates for the EB 5 Visa for all countries. A current (C) date on the Latest EB-5 Visa Bulletin means that no wait time exists for EB5 investors from those countries.

How Does Your Country of Chargeability Affect the EB5 Visa Timeline?

Your country of chargeability is used to determine your place in the EB-5 Visa “waiting line”. The EB5 Timeline is longer if your country of chargeability is China. The number of investors from these countries exceeds the annual country cap and visa availability for EB-5.

Your country of chargeability is the same as your country of birth. Investors from non-backlogged countries do not need to wait for their priority date to match the final action dates before filing for the EB-5 Visa. Furthermore, the EB-5 step by step process is quicker if your country of chargeability has a current priority date because of concurrent filing. 

What are the EB5 Visa Priority Dates for All Countries?

The EB5 Visa priority date is current (C) for all countries except China. A country with a current priority date means that no backlog (retrogression) exists and investors from this country experience no additional wait time for their Green Card application. For EB5 investors from China, the priority date must be earlier than the final action date listed on The Visa Bulletin on the USCIS website before proceeding to the adjustment of status or visa application stage.

Further questions on processing times of EB-5 Visa?

Make an appointment for a one-on-one session to Meet Vivek Tandon Esq. a US Lawyer and Investment Banker. Contact us for more information.

AWS Title Services is here to help guide you in applying for US citizenship through investment. We have helped many families successfully navigate the EB5 program immigration landscape. You can also checkout the USCIS Case Processing Times page for your specific case. 

FAQs for Processing Times for EB-5 Visa

How long is the processing time for US citizenship application?

After you have had a permanent green card for 5 years, you can apply for US citizenship. The processing time for US citizenship applications is between 18 and 24 months. The EB5 Investor Visa is the fastest route to U.S. citizenship since your Conditional Green Card period is counted in the minimum 5 years of permanent residency required to be eligible for naturalization. You obtain the right to vote and acquire a US passport as a naturalized citizen.