Data Doesn't Lie: Market Investment Trends Under the New EB-5 Policy

The American Immigrant Investor Alliance (IIUSA) released the EB-5 application data for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 (April-June 2025). The significant changes in this quarter's data have attracted widespread attention in the immigration industry. Let's take a look at the signals behind this data with the World Trade Group.

 

Record-breaking Approvals:

EB-5 Enters the "Fast Lane"

The report shows: In the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved 1,047 I-526E applications, setting a new single-quarter record since the implementation of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act.

It should be noted that since the new law was implemented in 2022, a total of 2,910 I-526E applications have been approved, with 1,047 approved in just the third quarter of fiscal year 2025.

In other words, the approval volume for one quarter accounts for nearly 35% of the total over the three years since the new law.

This not only indicates a significant improvement in approval efficiency but also marks the EB-5 system's entry into a true "fast lane."

 

Record High Application Volume:

Strong Demand, Confidence Returns

According to the data, in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2025 (within 9 months), the immigration bureau received 5,089 EB-5 applications. Among them:

• Regional Center Projects (I-526E): 4,829 applications, accounting for 95%;

• Direct Investment Projects (I-526): only 260 applications, accounting for just 5%.

This number has already surpassed the total number of applications for the entire fiscal year 2024 (4,848 applications)!

Meanwhile, the EB-5 program attracted over $4.1 billion in new investments in the first three quarters, setting a record for the highest inflow since the implementation of the new law.

The market tells us through action: Investor confidence is returning, and the EB-5 market is not cooling down but rather heating up.

 

Chinese Investors Lead Globally: Rural Projects Become the First Choice

Chinese applicants remain the main force globally, among the 4,829 I-526E applications:

• Total Chinese applications: 2,380

• Among them, rural projects: 1,514

• High unemployment area projects: 844

In other words, more than 60% of Chinese investors chose the rural reserved category projects that enjoy "no waiting period & priority approval."

This not only shows the investors' precise judgment but also highlights the attractiveness of rural projects under the new law.

 

Winners in the New Law Era:

I-526E Applicants Lead the Way

Since the implementation of the new law, the EB-5 approval landscape has shown a clear differentiation. I-526E (Regional Center) applicants have become the "winners" with an absolute advantage.

The data shows: In fiscal year 2025, the approval rate for I-526E was as high as 94%, and even with the surge in approval numbers, the trend of high approval rates remains stable.

In stark contrast, the approval rate for I-526 (Direct Investment) in fiscal year 2025 was only 26%.

The market's choice has said it all — Regional Center projects are the absolute protagonists of the new law era. They have become the mainstream choice for investors who want "both stability and speed."

 

The Speed-up Behind:

It's a Recovery, More of a "Prelude to Waiting"

The significant improvement in approval speed sounds like good news, but those familiar with the EB-5 pattern understand:

High approval volumes often mean that waiting periods are imminent.

IIUSA pointed out in the report: "If this high approval volume continues, the Department of State (DOS) may need to set a cut-off date for reserved categories."

In other words, the immigration bureau may be concentrating on releasing approval volumes to make room for visa quotas.

From historical experience, similar "explosive speed-ups" are often followed by waiting periods in the Visa Bulletin 6 to 12 months later.

In other words, the current fast pace is the window period before the waiting period.

 

Backlog Increase ≠ Risk Increase:

The Key is the Window is Still Open

As of the end of June 2025, USCIS still had 8,965 I-526E applications under review, a year-on-year increase of 91%. Although it sounds like "backlogs are increasing," this is actually a reflection of market activity.

More importantly, as of the October 2025 Visa Bulletin:

All EB-5 reserved categories (rural, high unemployment, infrastructure) are still Current (no waiting period)!

This means:

Investors submitting I-526E applications now can still catch this "no waiting period express."

But as quota consumption accelerates, this window period will not last long, and waiting periods may appear in the near future.

 

Speed-up ≠ Crisis, It's a Countdown to Opportunity

The speed-up of EB-5 has never been a crisis but a prelude to opportunity.

This represents faster approval speeds, increasing investment enthusiasm, and tightening quotas.

2025 is ushering in a stage of "the fast move first, the slow watch" for EB-5.

The speed-up in approval is a sign of recovery; the approaching waiting period is a sign of scarcity.

Rather than waiting, it's better to get on board first; the real risk is not the speed-up, but missing out.

Therefore, the World Trade Group offers three action suggestions:

✅ Submit as soon as possible while there is no waiting period: The earlier you submit, the sooner you enter the approval sequence and lock in the priority date;

✅ Choose high-quality projects: Especially rural projects;

✅ Dual submission: Submit I-526E + I-485 simultaneously to seize the identity opportunity.

It is worth noting that the EB-5 grandfathering rule is in its final year countdown (expires on September 30, 2026). Applications submitted before this date will be protected by current policies. Opportunities are fleeting, the earlier you submit, the more secure!

Timing is one of the key factors for EB-5 success. Planning ahead can secure the future of American identity for your family.