The U.S. Department of State's Visa Office has officially released the Visa Bulletin for July 2026 (the 10th month of the 2026 fiscal year). The results show that under the old law, Table A has advanced by 70 days, while under the new law, EB-5 reserved visas remain without a backlog.
Table A: Final Action Dates For Employment-Based Preference Cases (Note: For those entering the U.S. Consulate interview process)
Table B: Dates For Filing Of Employment-Based Visa Applications (Note: For those legally residing in the U.S. who meet the relevant conditions to file an AOS adjustment of status application with USCIS)
Table B for employment-based immigration is not open for July 2026; applicants for I-485 within the United States must refer to Table A to submit their applications.
I. Old Law EB-5: Table A advances by 70 days
Table A: Advances by 70 days, with direct investment categories C5 and T5 remaining consistent with the non-reserved visa categories I5 and R5 for regional center projects, advancing from September 22, 2016, to December 1, 2016.
Table B: Remains unchanged, with direct investment categories C5 and T5 remaining consistent with the non-reserved visa categories I5 and R5 for regional center projects, holding at March 1, 2017.
II. New Law EB-5: Reserved visas continue to have "no backlog"
Under the new law, the EB-5 reserved visa categories (20% for rural projects, 10% for high-unemployment area projects, and 2% for infrastructure projects) currently remain in a no-backlog status.
This means that investors can file their I-526E and I-485 applications concurrently if they meet the requirements, achieving "concurrent filing" to quickly obtain a Combo card and rapidly secure legal residency and employment authorization.
III. The policy window is changing: Three time variables worth noting
Although there is currently no backlog under the new law, the convergence of several key variables indicates that the current policy dividend period is rapidly narrowing. Applicants should pay close attention to the following three time milestones:
1. "Grandfathering clause" approaching deadline (September 30)
The current grandfathering clause will expire on September 30, 2026. The grandfathering clause is an important protection mechanism under the new EB-5 policy. As long as an application is successfully filed before September 30, 2026, the applicant's case will still be adjudicated under the old rules, even if the regional center program expires or major policy changes occur in the future.
2. Investment amount increase (early 2027)
According to the new EB-5 law, the minimum EB-5 investment amount will be automatically adjusted every five years based on inflation levels. It is expected that starting January 1, 2027, the minimum investment amount for Targeted Employment Areas (TEA) will increase from the current $800,000 to $900,000-$937,500 or even higher.
3. Potential increase in pressure on reserved visas
As the number of global applicants continues to rise, the possibility of a future backlog for reserved quotas is constantly increasing. Once a backlog is officially formed, the rapid approval advantage brought by the new law's "concurrent filing" will no longer exist.
IV. Window period warning: Refuse to wait, lock in your quota decisively
As key milestones approach, the current window for locking in existing policies and the protection of the "grandfathering clause" is tightening. Historical experience shows that at every policy milestone, EB-5 applications are submitted in a concentrated manner within a short period. At that time, legal, regional center, and documentation resources are quickly occupied, project quotas tighten, and the pace of filing slows down significantly.
The priority date for EB-5 is based on the official filing date of the I-526E, which directly determines the order of the backlog. The true effective window often closes months before the apparent date. Rather than missing opportunities while waiting, it is better to lock in your quota now and get a head start on your immigration planning.
WorldWay holds two high-quality EB-5 projects, "Marriott · Lakeview Resort" and "North Carolina Sugar Mountain · Hilton Hotel", and is committed to helping investors achieve efficient and stable U.S. immigration planning before the policy window closes.
Great news! To help investors sprint for the EB-5 "930" golden window, WorldWay is launching a limited-time promotion. Clients who process U.S. immigration projects during June 2026 can enjoy exclusive WorldWay discounts. For details, please contact your exclusive WorldWay consultant or customer service.
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