EB-5 Old Policy Table A Advances by 70 Days, New Policy Continues Without Backlog!
The U.S. Department of State Visa Office has officially released the visa bulletin for July 2026 (the 10th month of the 2026 fiscal year). The results show that Table A under the old law has advanced by 70 days, while EB-5 reserved visas under the new law remain without backlog.
Table A: Final Action Dates For Employment-Based Preference Cases (Note: 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. and meeting relevant conditions, submitting an AOS adjustment of status application to USCIS)
In July 2026, Table B for employment-based immigration remains closed. Applicants for I-485 within the U.S. need to refer to Table A for submission.
1. Old EB-5 Policy: Table A Advances by 70 Days
Table A: Advances by 70 Days, with direct investment categories C5 and T5 aligning with non-reserved visa categories I5 and R5 under regional center projects, advancing from September 22, 2016, to December 1, 2016.
Table B: Remains Unchanged, with direct investment categories C5 and T5 aligning with non-reserved visa categories I5 and R5 under regional center projects, remaining at March 1, 2017.
2. New EB-5 Policy: Reserved Visas Continue to Be “Without Backlog”
Under the new law, EB-5 reserved visa categories (20% reserved for rural projects, 10% for high-unemployment areas, and 2% for infrastructure projects) remain without backlog.
This means that investors can simultaneously submit I-526E and I-485 applications under qualifying conditions, achieving “concurrent filing” and quickly obtaining a Combo Card for expedited lawful residence and employment eligibility.
3. Policy Window Period Is Changing: Three Key Time Variables to Watch
Although the new law currently has no backlog, the convergence of several key variables indicates that the current policy benefit period is rapidly narrowing. Applicants should closely monitor the following three time points:
1. “Grandfather Clause” Approaching Deadline (September 30)
The current grandfather clause will expire on September 30, 2026. The grandfather clause is a critical protection mechanism under the new EB-5 policy. As long as an application is successfully submitted before September 30, 2026, the applicant's case will be processed 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 investment amount for EB-5 will automatically adjust every five years based on inflation. Starting January 1, 2027, the minimum investment amount for Targeted Employment Areas (TEA) is expected to increase from the current $800,000 to $900,000–$937,500 or even higher.
3. Pressure on Reserved Visas May Rise
As the number of global applicants continues to rise, the likelihood of reserved quotas experiencing backlogs in the future is increasing. Once a backlog forms, the fast approval advantage of the new law's “concurrent filing” will no longer exist.
4. Window Period Warning: Act Decisively to Secure Quotas
As key time points approach, the window to secure current policies and “grandfather clause” protection is rapidly closing. Historical data shows that EB-5 applications tend to surge around policy deadlines. At such times, resources such as attorneys, regional centers, and documentation teams become quickly occupied, project quotas tighten, and submission timelines slow significantly.
The EB-5 priority date is determined by the official submission date of the I-526E, which directly affects the queue order. The effective window often closes several months earlier than the apparent deadline. Instead of missing opportunities by waiting, secure your quota now to stay ahead in identity planning.