EB-5 for China: Investor Pathway 2026

China has been the largest single source country in EB-5 history. The Unreserved backlog has run into double-digit years. The post-RIA Rural Reserved set-aside resets the equation for new investors.

• •Unreserved EB-5: China-born backlog often exceeds 10 years from I-526E to conditional GC. Effectively closed for most new investors in 2026.
• •Rural Reserved (20%): current for China in 2026 — same as India and Rest of World. The first time in years that China-born investors have had current visa availability in any EB-5 category.
• •Urban Reserved (10%): flowing for China but with elevated retrogression risk if demand spikes.
• •Source-of-funds nuance: foreign-exchange and capital-control documentation for funds originating in China adds complexity. SAFE limits ($50K/year per person), Underground-bank routes (NOT acceptable), and proper documentation chains via Hong Kong or third-country banks need careful structuring.
• •Concurrent filing: only available for China-born investors physically in the US in valid status. Otherwise, consular processing at the US embassy after I-526E approval.
• •Grandfathering deadline: file before September 30, 2026 to lock into the current framework.

Rural Reserved is the only practical EB-5 path for China-born investors in 2026. SOF documentation under Chinese FX rules is the operational complexity to plan for.