Timeline & Deadlines

End-to-end EB-5 timeline, the September 2026 grandfathering deadline, EAD / Advance Parole, and the 2-year sustainment period.

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September 30, 2026 grandfathering deadline

The Reform Act's $800K set-aside is grandfathered for petitions filed by September 30, 2026. After that, the program could change.

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EB-5 Timeline: Full Filing to Permanent Green Card

Under Rural Reserved + I-956F-approved project, a 2026 EB-5 timeline runs roughly: file I-526E (Month 0) → EAD/AP via concurrent I-485 (Month 3-6, in-US only) → I-526E approval (Month 9-18) → conditional GC (variable by country) → I-829 filing 2 years later → permanent GC.

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EAD + Advance Parole During EB-5

When an EB-5 investor files I-485 concurrently with I-526E (inside the US, valid status, current visa category), they also file I-765 (EAD) and I-131 (Advance Parole). Both typically arrive within 3-6 months and unlock employer-independent work + international travel before the EB-5 petition is even adjudicated.

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EB-5 Biometrics Appointment: What to Expect

After USCIS receives an I-485 (concurrent EB-5 filers) or I-829, each family member receives a biometrics appointment notice — typically 4-8 weeks after filing. Appointment is at an Application Support Center (ASC): fingerprints, photo, signature. Takes 15-30 minutes.

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After EB-5 Permanent GC: Path to US Citizenship

EB-5 permanent green card holders qualify for US naturalization 5 years after conditional GC issuance (with continuous-residence and physical-presence requirements met). The 5-year clock starts at conditional GC date, not at permanent GC.

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EB-5 NCE vs JCE: Legal Structure Explained

Every Regional Center EB-5 investment has two entities: the New Commercial Enterprise (NCE) — the investor-facing fund — and the Job Creating Entity (JCE) — the actual project. Investors are limited partners or LLC members in the NCE; the NCE lends or invests in the JCE.

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EB-5 Rural Set-Aside Status: Visa Availability Update

The 20% Rural Reserved set-aside under RIA 2022 is structurally CURRENT (visa-available) for all countries in 2026 — including India and China. This is the single most consequential structural feature for backlogged-country investors in 2026.

Other wiki categories

Foundations Process Money Diligence Family Country

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