Recently, the annual industry summit hosted by Invest In the USA (IIUSA) in Houston provided critical data and trend directions for the EB-5 investment immigration sector, offering valuable references for investors. Please join Worldway Group in taking a look.
Applicants from Mainland China hold a dominant position in EB-5 investment immigration
According to data from the summit, from April 2022 to April 2025, the volume of EB-5 applications from Mainland China remained firmly in first place, accounting for approximately 53% to 54%. India ranked second, with its application share rising from 15% in the 2022-2023 fiscal year to 22% in the 2024 fiscal year. Taiwan, Vietnam, and South Korea followed, each accounting for only single-digit percentages of the total EB-5 application volume.
Surge in applications for rural area projects, with faster approval speeds
According to summit data, as of April 1, 2025, for the 2025 fiscal year: there were 238 applications for high-unemployment area projects, accounting for 30% of the total, with 15 approvals; the number of applications for rural area projects reached 651, accounting for as much as 70%, with 269 approvals, holding an absolute advantage in both application and approval numbers.
Rural projects not only hold an advantage in the number of applications and approvals, but their approval efficiency is also more prominent. Average I-526E processing time: 10 months for rural projects, while high-unemployment area projects require 15 months; Average I-956F processing time: 7 months for rural projects, and 11 months for high-unemployment area projects.
Current status of visa usage
IIUSA statistics show that as of February 28, 2025: the utilization rate of rural reserved visas was only 2%; the visa utilization rate for high-unemployment areas was 5%. It should be noted that this data only counts visa issuance by U.S. overseas embassies and consulates and does not include applicants adjusting status (AOS) within the United States. Even so, the visa utilization rates for both types of areas remain far below the annual quota cap.
Rural area projects are highly likely to have no visa backlog
According to summit analysis, the supply and demand relationship for rural EB-5 project visas is tending toward balance: conservative estimate (85% approval rate, 2 people per family): as of July 5, 2024, visa demand was approximately 3,900; optimistic estimate (95% approval rate, 2.75 people per family): visa demand increased to approximately 6,000. Even calculating based on the highest demand (6,000), the 6,416 visa quota provided in the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years combined can still cover the demand. Therefore, rural projects are highly likely to have no visa backlog in the 2025 fiscal year, and this trend is expected to continue in the 2026 fiscal year, providing investors with a stable and predictable immigration path.
EB-5 "concurrent filing" is favored
Data shows that approximately 41% of EB-5 investors choose to file applications through Adjustment of Status (AOS) in the United States, and this proportion reflects that domestic adjustment of status has become an important channel for EB-5 applications. However, the proportion of investors from different countries choosing "concurrent filing" varies. Among EB-5 investors born in China, overall only 25% file AOS applications within the United States; among them, the proportion of those investing in rural area projects and choosing "concurrent filing" is approximately 25%, and the proportion for those investing in high-unemployment area projects is approximately 27%. In contrast, investors born in India show a clear preference for applying within the United States, with as many as 82% of applicants choosing to adjust status in the U.S., among which the concurrent filing rate for rural project applicants reached 85%, and 78% for high-unemployment area projects.
Overall, the new U.S. EB-5 investment immigration policy has opened up an efficient channel for Chinese investors to obtain U.S. status. Rural projects, with their advantages of high approval rates, fast processing, and no visa backlog, are gradually becoming the preferred choice for EB-5 investors. The "concurrent filing" strategy provides an efficient immigration path for those already in the U.S.; investors can file I-526E and I-485 applications simultaneously, and can obtain a Combo card in about 3 months. During the waiting period for the green card, it does not affect entry and exit, and they can legally reside, study, and work in the United States.
Two premium projects to help make your immigration dream come true
Currently, the two hot-selling premium EB-5 projects on the market—the "Aspen Kodiak Apartments," which has already received both I-956F and I-526E project approvals, and the "Florida Lakeside Jewish Community," which has received I-956F/I-526E/Green Card triple approvals—are both high-quality EB-5 rural projects that have been screened and strictly vetted by Worldway Group, and are undoubtedly your best choices for rapid immigration to the United States.
For detailed inquiries in Mainland China: 400-138-2929, Hong Kong Customer Service Center: (852)2802 8798
*Investment involves risks; the above information is for reference only.*