On October 16, 2025, the Invest in the USA (IIUSA) held the "IIUSA EB-5 Global Expert Summit" in Shanghai. This grand event gathered authoritative experts and industry leaders from the global EB-5 field to deeply interpret the latest policies and market trends, releasing significant data to provide important market references for global investors.
Senior executives from Worldway Group attended the meeting to grasp the latest data in real-time, providing timely and authoritative analysis for clients. Let’s take a look with Worldway.
China Remains
The Largest EB-5 Market in the World
According to data presented at the summit, China continues to hold its position as the largest EB-5 market globally. Following the implementation of the new law, a total of 12,807 I-526E/I-526 applications were submitted worldwide, with China accounting for 6,379 applications, nearly half of the global total, demonstrating the sustained dominance of Chinese investors in the EB-5 field.
The total global EB-5 investment amounts to approximately $5 billion. Among these, 96% of Chinese investors invest through Regional Center projects, primarily concentrated in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA). In addition to China, investors from Asian countries such as India, Taiwan, South Korea, and Vietnam are also active, reflecting the overall sustained enthusiasm and confidence in EB-5 investment immigration in the Asian market.
Applicants from Mainland China Dominate EB-5 Visa Issuance in Fiscal Year 2025
In the fiscal year 2025 (ending May 31, 2025), among the EB-5 non-reserved visas issued (consular processing only), applicants born in Mainland China received the most visas, totaling 4,065, accounting for 48% of the global total, far exceeding other countries and regions; Vietnam, Taiwan, and India also received a certain number of visas.
In terms of EB-5 reserved visas issued (consular processing only), a total of 568 visas were issued, with a significant number also going to applicants born in Mainland China, while India, Taiwan, and Vietnam also received various types of reserved visas.
Overall, applicants born in Mainland China hold a significant proportion of EB-5 visas issued in fiscal year 2025 (including both non-reserved and reserved, consular processing only).
(For details, please click to read: Worldway Group Recognized as One of the "Top 500 Asian Brands" Alongside Huawei and Tencent)
Current Status of Visa Utilization
According to data from IIUSA, as of May 2025, the overall utilization rate of EB-5 reserved visas for fiscal year 2025 is only about 8%. Among these, the total number of rural project visas is 4,416, with only 402 used (9%); high unemployment area visas total 2,208, with only 166 used (8%). The utilization rates for both types of areas remain well below the annual quota.
Rural EB-5 Projects
High Application Proportion, Fast Approval
According to data from the summit, since the implementation of the new law in 2022 until the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, Chinese investors have submitted a total of 3,566 I-526E/I-526 applications for rural area projects, accounting for 55.4%, while applications for high unemployment area projects total 2,866, accounting for approximately 44.6%.
Although rural projects experienced a brief fluctuation in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, overall demand remains strong. Data indicates that Chinese investors prefer to choose rural projects with priority processing advantages, reflecting a rational choice and sustained confidence under policy guidance.
As of July 2025, the average processing time for rural projects is only about 8 months, with the fastest approval in 6 months, significantly quicker than the average 11 months and up to 16 months for high unemployment areas.
Rural projects not only have the highest application volume but also lead in approval efficiency.
Record Speed in I-526E Approvals
Since the implementation of the new law, the approval speed for I-526E has continued to accelerate. Data shows that only 63 were approved in fiscal year 2023, which surged to 1,099 in fiscal year 2024, and reached 1,834 in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2025, with a record high of 1,047 approvals in the third quarter alone.
High Approval Rate for Regional Center Projects
Data from the summit indicates that after the implementation of the new law, the approval rate for Regional Center I-526E projects has remained high. It reached 100% in fiscal year 2022, 98% in fiscal year 2023, and remains at 94% in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2025. In contrast, the approval rate for direct investment projects plummeted from 73% to only 26%, showing a significant gap. This indicates that Regional Center projects have advantages in compliance, regulatory transparency, and policy support, remaining the mainstream and preferred direction for current EB-5 investments.
Overall, whether in terms of the growth momentum of application volume or the actual approval efficiency, rural projects demonstrate significant advantages. This is not only a result of market choice but also a direct reflection of the immigration bureau's strict implementation of the new law granting rural projects "priority processing rights".
Based on the strong data and clear trends revealed at the IIUSA summit, combined with the current reserved visa category (especially rural projects) still maintaining a "no backlog" precious window for applicants born in Mainland China, choosing high-quality rural projects has become the "golden channel" for efficiently obtaining a U.S. green card.
Worldway recommends that investors seize the opportunity to select high-quality rural EB-5 projects and submit their I-526E applications as early as possible to lock in priority dates and avoid future backlog risks. Investors can opt for "dual submission," meaning submitting both I-526E and I-485 applications simultaneously, allowing them to receive a Combo Card in about 3 months, which does not affect their entry and exit during the waiting period for the green card, enabling them to legally reside, study, and work in the United States.
It is worth noting that the EB-5 grandfathering rule has entered its final countdown (expires on September 30, 2026). Applications submitted before this date will be protected under current policies. Opportunities are fleeting; the earlier you submit, the more secure it is!
Immigration investment focuses on choice, and EB-5 investment immigration prioritizes projects. Currently, the popular "Great Smoky Mountains • Marriott Hotel" and "Florida Lakeside Jewish Community" EB-5 rural projects are in high demand.
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