U.S. Immigration Fund Secures Landmark EB-5 I-526E Petition Approval

Key Takeaways

• USIF’s I-526E petition approved June 5, 2025, validating its unique EB-5 loan financing structure.
• Rural EB-5 petitions processed three times faster than urban, with a 97% approval rate post-RIA.
• Visa demand exceeds supply, backlogs growing, especially for China and India investors.

The U.S. Immigration Fund’s recent I-526E petition approval marks a turning point in the EB-5 investment landscape. This analytical content examines the purpose and scope of this milestone, the methodology behind the data, key findings, and the broader implications for EB-5 investors, regional centers, and U.S. immigration policy. The analysis draws on the latest statistics, official procedures, and regulatory trends, providing a comprehensive, evidence-based overview for stakeholders considering the EB-5 program.

Purpose and Scope

This analysis aims to:

• Explain the significance of the U.S. Immigration Fund’s (USIF) I-526E petition approval using its proprietary loan structure.
• Present current EB-5 petition data, including trends by region, country, and processing priority.
• Compare approval rates and processing patterns before and after the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA).
• Assess visa availability, backlogs, and future outlook for EB-5 investors.
• Provide practical guidance on filing and processing procedures for I-526E and related forms.

The scope covers developments from April 2022 through January 2025, focusing on the impact of regulatory changes and the evolving landscape for EB-5 investors, especially those using innovative financing models like USIF’s.

Methodology

This content synthesizes data from:

• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests by the American Immigrant Investor Alliance (AIIA), providing detailed petition statistics.
• Official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidance on EB-5 petition filing and processing.
• Statements from USIF leadership and industry experts.
• Recent legislative changes, particularly the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA).
• Visa bulletin and processing updates from USCIS and the U.S. Department of State.

Data is presented in clear, accessible language, with visual descriptions to help readers understand patterns and trends. All immigration forms mentioned are linked to their official government pages for easy reference.

Key Findings

• USIF’s I-526E petition approval validates its EB-5 loan structure, setting a precedent for similar financing models.
• Rural petitions receive processing priority, with approval rates and speed far outpacing urban (high unemployment area, HUA) petitions.
• Current I-526E approval rates are at 97%, much higher than pre-RIA levels.
• Demand for EB-5 visas exceeds annual supply, especially in rural and HUA categories, leading to growing backlogs.
• Processing delays and backlogs are most pronounced for HUA petitions, while rural petitions move faster.
• Visa limits are unlikely to be reached soon, but unused set-aside visas may be lost permanently if not allocated.
• Future trends suggest continued rural prioritization, possible decline in approval rates as more complex cases are reviewed, and longer wait times for investors from China 🇨🇳 and India 🇮🇳.

Data Presentation and Visual Descriptions

1. USIF’s I-526E Petition Approval: A Closer Look

On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Immigration Fund announced the approval of its first I-526E petition using a unique EB-5 investor financing loan structure. This structure, offered through Opportunity Fund Lender’s (OFL) EB-5 Loan Program, allows qualified investors to start with as little as $500,000 and finance the remainder over up to five years. This approach lowers the initial capital barrier for EB-5 investors while maintaining compliance with USCIS rules.

Visual Description:
Imagine a flowchart showing an investor starting with $500,000, then using the OFL loan to reach the required EB-5 investment amount. The chart highlights compliance checks and approval by USCIS, ending with a green checkmark for the I-526E petition.

Nicholas Mastroianni III, USIF’s President, stated that this approval “demonstrates the strength and integrity of our loan structure and affirms the careful preparation and compliance standards we uphold.” This is especially important because many regional centers claim to offer “USCIS-approved” loan programs, but few have succeeded under close review.

2. EB-5 Petition Statistics: April 2022 – January 2025

Total I-526/I-526E Petitions Filed: 9,878

By Project Type:
– Rural TEAs: 4,329 (44%)
– High Unemployment Areas (HUA): 5,191 (53%)
– Infrastructure: 0 (0%)
– Other: 358 (4%)

By Country of Origin:
– China 🇨🇳: 5,162 (52%)
– India 🇮🇳: 1,790 (18%)
– Rest of World: 2,926 (30%)

Visual Description:
Picture a pie chart split into three main sections: China 🇨🇳 (just over half), India 🇮🇳 (about one-fifth), and Rest of World (almost one-third). Another bar graph compares rural and HUA filings, with HUA slightly higher.

3. Processing Priorities and Approval Rates

USCIS has prioritized rural I-526E petitions, processing them at a rate three times higher than urban (HUA) petitions. As of January 2025:

• Urban (HUA) Petitions Approved: 351 (7% of 5,191)
• Rural Petitions Processed: 1,126 (27% of 4,329)

Current Approval Rate:
– I-526E Petitions: 97% (compared to less than 75% before RIA)

Visual Description:
A side-by-side bar chart shows rural approvals towering over urban approvals, with a line graph above showing the sharp increase in approval rates after the RIA.

4. Visa Availability and Backlogs

Annual Visa Limits:
– High Unemployment Set-Aside: 1,000 visas
– Rural Set-Aside: 2,000 visas

Current Demand:
– HUA: 5,191 petitions filed, representing about 10,400 visa applicants (including family members)
– Rural: 4,329 petitions filed, representing about 8,700 visa applicants

Adjudication Rate:
Only 16% of rural and urban petitions filed have been processed as of January 2025.

Backlog Trends:
– The gap between filed petitions and available visas is growing.
– Most HUA petitions from 2022 are processed, but few from 2023 have been reviewed.
– Rural petitions continue to move faster due to priority processing.

Visual Description:
A stacked bar graph shows the number of petitions filed each year, with a much smaller segment at the top representing those processed. A line shows the widening gap between filings and adjudications.

5. Filing and Processing Procedures

For those interested in the EB-5 program, USCIS provides clear instructions:

• File Form I-526E (for regional center investors) or I-526 (for direct investors) at the correct address.
• Check the current filing fee on the USCIS Fee Schedule.
• Payment options: Money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit/debit card using Form G-1450.
• Sign all forms; unsigned forms will be rejected.
• Receipt notices: You’ll receive an initial notice from the lockbox and a formal receipt with your case number.

For those removing conditions on permanent residency, file Form I-829 within the 90-day window before the second anniversary of conditional status.

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

Rural vs. Urban Processing

• Rural petitions are processed faster and more often than urban petitions, reflecting the RIA’s mandate.
• Urban (HUA) petitioners face longer waits, especially for those who filed after 2022.
• Approval rates are higher than ever, but may drop as more complex cases are reviewed.

Country of Origin

• China 🇨🇳 and India 🇮🇳 dominate EB-5 filings, together making up 70% of all petitions.
• Rest of World applicants benefit from shorter wait times and less competition for visas, at least for now.

Visa Demand vs. Supply

• Demand for EB-5 visas far exceeds annual supply, especially in set-aside categories.
• Backlogs are growing, but the slow processing rate means visa caps are not immediately threatened.
• Unused set-aside visas for FY2025 may be lost, reducing future opportunities.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

1. USIF’s I-526E approval is a major validation of innovative EB-5 financing models, likely encouraging more investors to use similar structures.
2. Rural priority processing is reshaping the EB-5 landscape, making rural projects more attractive for faster adjudication.
3. High approval rates signal improved clarity and consistency in USCIS reviews since the RIA, but rates may fall as more difficult cases are processed.
4. Visa backlogs will continue to grow, especially for investors from China 🇨🇳 and India 🇮🇳, leading to longer wait times and possible lost opportunities if set-aside visas go unused.
5. Rest of World applicants currently enjoy a favorable position, but this may change as more petitions are filed and processed.

Limitations

• Data is current as of January 2025; future trends may shift as new regulations or processing priorities emerge.
• Approval rates may decline as pending requests for evidence (RFEs) and notices of intent to deny (NOIDs) are resolved.
• Country-specific impacts may vary as visa bulletin updates and per-country limits change.
• Processing times and backlogs are subject to change based on USCIS staffing, policy shifts, and global events.

Practical Guidance and Next Steps

• Investors should carefully review EB-5 project structures, especially those using loan models, to ensure compliance with USCIS requirements.
• Filing in rural projects may offer faster processing, but applicants should weigh project quality and risk.
• Monitor the USCIS EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program page for the latest updates on forms, fees, and processing times.
• Stay informed about visa bulletin changes, especially if you are from China 🇨🇳 or India 🇮🇳, as wait times and availability can shift quickly.
• Consult with experienced immigration professionals to navigate the complexities of EB-5 filings and maximize your chances of success.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the U.S. Immigration Fund’s successful I-526E petition approval is likely to drive greater interest in EB-5 investment opportunities that combine lower upfront costs with regulatory compliance. This trend, along with ongoing changes in processing priorities and visa availability, will shape the future of EB-5 immigration for years to come.

By understanding these patterns and following official guidance, EB-5 investors and stakeholders can make informed decisions in a complex and evolving immigration environment.

Learn Today

I-526E Petition → A specialized EB-5 investor petition filed via a regional center under USCIS guidelines.
EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act → 2022 legislation improving EB-5 program transparency and processing standards.
TEA (Targeted Employment Area) → Designated area with high unemployment or rural status offering EB-5 benefits.
Backlog → Accumulation of unprocessed EB-5 petitions causing extended visa wait times.
Visa Set-Aside → Portion of EB-5 visas reserved for rural and high unemployment areas.

This Article in a Nutshell

On June 5, 2025, USIF achieved a landmark EB-5 I-526E petition approval using a novel loan model. This milestone lowers financial barriers for investors while ensuring USCIS compliance. Rural petitions now receive faster processing than urban, reshaping EB-5 trends and influencing future immigration policies nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com