The U.S. Department of State’s May 2026 Visa Bulletin has announced significant changes for EB-5 (Employment-Based Fifth Preference) investors. Chinese applicants see a notable advancement, while Indian investors face stagnation in their visa processing timelines.
Key Details:
- China’s EB-5 Unreserved category advanced by 151 days, with a new cutoff date of September 22, 2026.
- Indian investors’ cutoff date remains unchanged at May 1, 2022, with a warning of potential retrogression if demand continues.
- Indian investors can bypass the backlog by applying through qualifying Rural TEA (Targeted Employment Area) projects, which are currently available.
- Approval timelines for I-526E petitions for Indian investors in Rural TEA projects are under 12 months, compared to several years for standard applications.
These updates highlight the contrasting experiences of EB-5 investors from China and India, with Chinese applicants benefiting from significant progress, while Indian applicants may need to explore alternative options to expedite their green card process.
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Source: USALaunchpad