EB-5 in Numbers: Visa Statistics Over the Years

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program has seen significant shifts in applicant volume, regional center approvals, and visa allocation over the past decade. Understanding these statistics is crucial for investors and stakeholders alike.

Annual EB-5 Visa Allocation and Usage

The program is statutorily limited to 10,000 visas per fiscal year, though actual usage fluctuates based on processing times and backlog accumulation.

• Total Annual Cap: 10,000 visas (including visas set aside for targeted employment areas/infrastructure projects).
• Set-Asides: 3,200 visas reserved for projects in Rural Areas or High Unemployment Areas (TEA).
• Historical Trends: Visa demand often outstrips immediate supply, leading to country-specific backlogs, particularly for China and India.

Regional Center Performance Metrics

The effectiveness of Regional Centers (RCs) can be gauged by their filing success rates and the volume of capital they have successfully sourced.

1. RC Approvals: The number of active, designated Regional Centers has varied. At its peak, there were over 900 RCs, though recent regulatory changes have consolidated or terminated some designations.
2. I-526 Filing Volume: Peaks in I-526 petition filings often precede spikes in green card approvals by several years due to the required two-year investment period.
3. Capital Deployment: The minimum required investment amount has been a major statistical driver:
   • Prior to 2015: $500,000 (for TEA projects) or $1,000,000 (standard).
   • Post-2015: The minimums remained, but the SEC scrutiny increased related to capital sourcing.

Country of Origin Statistics

Geographic concentration remains a key feature of EB-5 statistics, heavily influencing visa bulletin wait times.

"The concentration of demand from a few key source countries is the primary driver of visa retrogression observed since the mid-2010s."

Key source countries historically include:

China Historically the largest source country, leading to significant backlog accumulation. India Rapidly growing applicant pool, often second only to China in recent years. Brazil & Vietnam Consistent, moderate contributors to the overall applicant pool.

Processing Times and Backlogs

Processing statistics are tracked primarily through USCIS processing times for I-526/I-526E petitions and I-829 removal of conditions petitions.

I-526 Processing Time (Average): This has ranged wildly, from 12 months during periods of low volume to over 48 months during peak congestion.

The 2022 Reauthorization Act (EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act) introduced new measures intended to stabilize processing, including:

1. Visa set-asides for future applicants, potentially reducing immediate backlog impact.
2. Direct filing of I-485 (Adjustment of Status) for certain applicants, bypassing consular processing delays.

Conclusion

The statistical landscape of the EB-5 program reflects a dynamic interplay between regulatory changes, global economic conditions, and sustained investor interest. Future statistics will closely track the impact of the 2022 reforms on processing efficiency and backlog reduction.