United States of America · Processing time
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program: how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
I-526/I-526E adjudication: 18–60 months typical. Reserved set-asides (rural, high-unemployment, infrastructure) process faster than unreserved categories.
How long does the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program take to process in United States?
The typical published decision window is 18 months – 4.9 years from a complete application. I-526/I-526E adjudication: 18–60 months typical. Reserved set-asides (rural, high-unemployment, infrastructure) process faster than unreserved categories.
Verified against USCIS — Case Processing Times on 1 June 2026.
Typical wait
18 months – 4.9 years
from complete application
Government fees
I-526/I-526E USD 3,675 (plus the USD 1,000 EB-5 Integrity Fund fee); I-829 USD 3,750 — a federal court vacated the higher April-2024 fees (USD 11,160 / USD 9,525) and USCIS reverted to these amounts on 14 November 2025; a new fee rule is pending, so confirm before filing. Plus regional-center or direct-project fees set privately.
Last checked
1 June 2026
What is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program?
Permanent residence through investment in a new US commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs.
The EB-5 immigrant investor program grants conditional permanent residence for qualifying investment in a new US commercial enterprise. The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 set the standard minimum investment at USD 1,050,000, reduced to USD 800,000 for Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) and infrastructure projects. Set-aside visa categories (rural, high-unemployment, infrastructure) provide faster pathways for qualifying regional-center projects.
- Sponsorship: No job offer or employer sponsor is required.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residency in United States of America.
- Typical permit length: Conditional 2-year residence leading to unconditional permanent residence.
- Indicative government fees: I-526/I-526E USD 3,675 (plus the USD 1,000 EB-5 Integrity Fund fee); I-829 USD 3,750 — a federal court vacated the higher April-2024 fees (USD 11,160 / USD 9,525) and USCIS reverted to these amounts on 14 November 2025; a new fee rule is pending, so confirm before filing. Plus regional-center or direct-project fees set privately.
How to read this estimate
The 18 months – 4.9 years window is the time USCIS — Case Processing Times typically associates with the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The USCIS — Case Processing Times page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official source
USCIS — Case Processing Times
https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
Frequently asked questions
How long does the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program take to process?+
The typical wait is 18 months – 4.9 years from submitting a complete application. I-526/I-526E adjudication: 18–60 months typical. Reserved set-asides (rural, high-unemployment, infrastructure) process faster than unreserved categories. These figures come from USCIS — Case Processing Times and were last verified on 2026-06-01. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 18 months – 4.9 years clock start?+
The clock starts when USCIS — Case Processing Times receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Some United States routes offer a priority or premium service for an additional fee. Check the linked primary source for current options — availability changes and varies by consular post.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (18 months – 4.9 years) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.