Did you submit an application under The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022? If so, what is your current I-526 status when checking your USCIS account? I applied under the same act in October 2023, and I've been receiving the message "Your case status is unavailable at this time. We are working to get you accurate information as soon as possible. Try again later" since the day I created the account with a receipt number starting with IOE. This message has persisted for the last three months.

Based on my internet research, the majority of I-526 applications filed under The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 are being approved within a 12-month timeframe.

Hi! I applied on Dec 2022 so yes. Since then my case status has been “Case Was Received And A Receipt Notice Was Sent”, AOS status has been “Case Was Updated To Show Fingerprints Were Taken” since Jan 2023. Fingers crossed it approves soon.

🤞

My PD is Nov 2019, still no approvals 😕

@Dhruv M so sorry to hear! I know there are backlogs in some geographical areas. Are you in the US currently? I applied under the new reform and chose a rural investment so hopefully that speeds things up.

yes I’m in the USA!

what happens after I-526 approval?

Well that depends. I applied for Adjustment of Status simultaneously so that means after my I-526E approval, I expect my conditional Green Card to be approved right after. If you are not adjusting status then you have to go through the process of applying for a conditional Green Card after approval. That’s how I understand the process.

@Dhruv M Assuming you applied in 2019 and weren't eligible for concurrent filing of I-485, you'll need to apply for a conditional GC(AOS - I485) after I-526 approval, which might take another year due to USCIS backlog. In our case, applying under the EB-5 Reform & Integrity Act of 2022 allowed us to concurrently file, so once I-526 is approved, we can expect a swift I-485 outcome. This positions us to apply for I-829 to remove conditions on GC after 18 months, adding another minimum 2 years for I829 outcome due to USCIS backlog but fulfilling the eligibility requirement for citizenship application as the whole duration after conditional GC approval will count towards citizenship duration requirement.

yes I applied for I-485 in 2022.

@Dhruv M If your I-526 is approved, your I-485, which is dependent on I-526, will come into effect immediately in that instance.

got it! thank you. is it possible that once I-526 is approved, since I have concurrently filing I-485, that can be approved anytime? Given my priority date is in good shape right now.

@Dhruv M Certainly, occasionally, it gets approved swiftly if the I485 aligns with the processing time frame

Understood, thank you

@P-EB xx I presume you applied for the I-526E petition under the regional center program, whereas I utilized the I-526 direct investment model/standalone investor approach (application while in USA). We're all aware of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, which outlines three priority processing categories: Set Aside Rural (20%), Set Aside High Unemployment (10%), and Set Aside Infrastructure (2%) for all EB-5 visas annually, specifically for investments in rural targeted employment areas (TEAs). Given that your I-526E application has been in process for just over a year, I'm curious about the category you applied under. My reason for asking is that I've observed outcomes in the Set Aside Rural category within a year or even less, and some within six months. Since mine falls under the Set Aside Rural Area (20%) category, I anticipate a similar outcome in less than a year.

Correct! I applied in dec 2022 for the I-526E and my investment’s category is rural so it is supposed to be priority processing.

@P-EB xx You're close to receiving your outcome.

anyone applied direct eb5 and not rc

The priority processing provision seemed like good news for rural investors, especially considering the long wait times that have plagued EB-5. However, the bill also says that the Secretary “may process petitions in a manner and order established by the Secretary,” with little guidance as to what “priority processing” would actually entail. What it means is that the processing of applications in that specific category is also random, so try not to get frustrated if you waiting for your outcome.

Hi! have you received any updates? feel free to check out my profile/ post for my EB5 timeline as well! it’s very similar to yours.

Hi @Angela Sing! the only new update I have received as of today is I956F approval of my rural investment under the new reform and that the 1st I526E case for our project was approved too. I’m still waiting, I’ll keep you posted though.

Several factors, such as background checks, USCIS workload, could contribute to the delay. I recommend contacting them, as this delay exceeds the typical I485 processing timeline.

Hi @R M , my lawyers adviced me not to as of now since they’re still technically within an expected timeframe for my case. The new reform is still too new to define a “typical”. I have peace of mind knowing my specific investment is I956F approved and rolling out I485s. I’ll be paciently waiting in the next couple of weeks and will let you know if anything new changes.

Hi all! just got my I-526E approved today. I will let you know how long it takes for the conditional green card.

Congratulations

congratulations!! pls keep us updated on your I-485 process as well!

Does I-526 approval means I get conditional green card right there and then? I have also filed I-485 concurrently.

Looking for some clarity on what happens next please. I526 was approved a month back. Currently on AOS of status that was filed and approved concurrently a couple of years back. Your information will be really appreciated.

hi @Jack Jones! not sure I understand, do you mean your AOS was approved and you want to know the next steps? I was under the impression the AOS would get approved right after the I-526E got approved but not the case for me at least. If anything changes I’ll let you know.

My I-526 is approved, I concurrently filed I-485 in Sep 2022. It’s with California service Center and my priority date is current. How much time would it take for approval?

@Dhruv M my I-526E was approved 55 days ago and I-485 still pending.

how much time it would take ?

@Dhruv M no clue

ok

At this point, I’m wondering what USCIS EB5 officers do all day… @P-EB xx have you heard back yet?

@A S 68 days later and nothing yet. I’m so confused, I thought both were supposed to be approved at the same time. Thankfully my work permit won’t expire until next year but still, tired of so much uncertainty.

Hi All, I just got my I-485 approved today. 5 months and a day.

congratulations

It’s been 8 months since my I-526 is approved, still I-485 is pending. I-485 was concurrently filed in September 2022. I-526 was approved in May 2024.

@Dhruv M was your I-526 filled at the same time as I-485? that’s what concurrently means. Have you checked if there’s a issue with the project you invested in? like them not having the certifications or the requirements needed like creating the jobs etc. That’s a huge point for approval, assuming you don’t have RFEs pending and your source of funds is clear.

@P-EB xx - I-526 was filed in November 2019, and I-485 was submitted in September 2022. No issue in the project. I haven’t got any RFEs yet.

@P-EB xx - One person in our project have similar timing of I-526 and for I-485 he did do concurrent filing in July 2022 and mine was September 2022, he got I-485 approved in 5 months!

@Dhruv M if you filed I-526 in November 2019 and I-485 in sept 2022 then it is not concurrently filed. For peace of mind check the project has the necessary approvals like the I-956F and such. Due diligence is key. Also consult your lawyer if you’re within the time frame to ask for an update.

@P-EB xx sure will do!