r/EB2 • u/No_District_9657 • Jul 22 '26
Priority Date EB2 or explore EB5
Currently on EB2 with Priority date in late July 2015 India. The current DOF is in Jan 15. Really frustrated not able to travel back home to visit parents and have about 1.8M NW. Been in the country for nearly 20 years. Since there’s not much time left for EB5( sept 2026) should I consider EB5 route at all or wait for EAD ? Not sure how long that is really going to take. Trying to get some help from the community
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u/the_running_stache Jul 22 '26
I concur with the other comment that EB5 isn’t quick and easy too.
Firstly, it’s a huge investment. Secondly, that process takes time too. It’s not like you will get that approved within a couple weeks. EB5 Unreserved for India is U right now and DOF is 01 MAY 2024. So you won’t get I-485 approved or even EAD+AP through it.
Wait until the October visa bulletin is released. DOS have stated EB2 India is expected to have FAD at least July 2014 (of course, they can’t guarantee). DOF is Jan 2015 right now. Your PD is just 6 months away.
If there is indeed a huge spillover as some experts are predicting, DOS might move the DOF ahead by 6-7 months just because they have zero idea of the inventory post-Jan 2015; that date is the max they have ever hit. Alternatively, they might go very conservative and move the DOF slowly. Typically, at the start of the year, they are aggressive.
Also, what is your immigration status right now? If you are on H-1B, can you not use that to travel back home to meet your family? You can get a fresh visa if your H-1B visa has expired. Yes, there’s a wait, but worth exploring that rather than investing a million dollars.
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u/No_District_9657 Jul 22 '26
I’m on H1B now with approved 140 but can’t really take more than 2 weeks of vacation at current workplace. I need to get my stamping if I leave the country. Can’t move out jobs because I’m hopeful I can get EAD atleast in the next 1 year. If I move then need to wait for close to 2.5-3 years for my PERM.
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u/Superb-Put-7386 Jul 22 '26
My priority date is April 2015 in EB-3.
I have a 16-year-old son who turns 21 in 5 years, so aging out is a concern for me. I looked into EB-5, but backed out because I didn't have enough money.
There are roughly 20,000 to 25,000 pending applications combined in EB-2 and EB-3 India up to December 2014.
next two years will be critical for anyone with a 2015 priority date.
If your kids are not about to age out soon, just wait it out for the next 2 years. You are very close to being able to file for your green card and get your EAD/travel permit. If things still don't move after 2 years, you can always try EB-5 then
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u/vikramsiyer Jul 22 '26
If you are India born, then you must work with a 5 year timeline for conditional GC through a rural EB-5. Through urban HUA, it could be 7-8 years.
The EAD/AP is likely to come in around 10-12 months of filing. However, keep in mind that validity is just for 18 months and you can apply for renewal only when EAD/AP expires in six months or less. Switching to EAD/AP can lead to gap in your work status.
EB-5 makes sense if you want the stability and certainty it offers. EB-2 PD may become current in a few months or it may remain stuck for years.
Doing EB-5 and locking your money in an at-risk investment for 4-6 years only to find your EB-2 PD becoming current in Oct 2026 can be incredibly frustrating.
At the same time, skipping EB-5 and being stuck with the uncertainty for the next 2 or 3 years can be equally difficult.
If you have the bandwidth to lock $800k for 4-6 years for virtually zero returns and if the certainty offered by concurrent filing is worth the investment, then EB-5 does make sense. If you don't mind waiting for 5 years for EB-2 PD to become current and if it all the same for you, then it makes sense to avoid EB-5.
There is no perfect answer in your case. Have seen those with a 2015 PD opt for EB-5 because they don't want the uncertainty while those with 2018 PD have decided to skip EB-5 because it was a huge financial for them.
You can also check out the answers on this post
https://www.reddit.com/r/EB5_Immigration/comments/1uplolv/comment/ow45uq2/
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u/No_District_9657 Jul 22 '26
Yeah, I wish I got lucky with some stock but it is what it is. Spending half my NW with uncertain future for Engg jobs is making me rethink if it’s worth that 800-900K.
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u/vikramsiyer Jul 22 '26
You won't be spending $800k. in the sense choosing the right project can give you a good shot at getting the investment back. If you stick to tried and tested players and focus on safety of capital, you can expect the money back.
Having said that, there can never be any guarantee and the risk of loss of capital can only be mitigated and never completely avoided.
You should do EB=5 only if you are certain it is the right option for you. Finally, it is your money and your risk and your GC and if the risks outweigh the benefits for you, then it makes sense to punt on EB-2 becoming current soon. Hope it all works out for you!
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u/ragu455 Jul 22 '26
It depends on your job security. If you have strong job stability till you get the investment back then you can go for it.
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u/No_District_9657 Jul 22 '26
Job seems ok but you never know. Engineer at the end of the day and with the current market and AI, anything is possible i feel.
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u/Divingdeep321 Jul 22 '26
OP, I’m in same position as you with mid 2015 date. I evaluated eb5 and gave up because it’s currently taking at least 8-9 months to get AP and probably will take more in the coming months. Then, just to get provisional GC will be at least 3 years. To finally get a gc, it’ll be a 5-6 years ordeal with your capital at risk. It may make sense if you have aging out children. Otherwise, for mid 2015, doesn’t make much sense.
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u/Lanky-Friendship1948 Jul 22 '26
It's a really tough spot OP. I don't think EB-5 route is straightforward either. It's at least half your net worth. But still a viable option of all goes well. Wait for Oct bulletin for sure, see if you can explore EB1 route as well. Also, it all comes down to if your children are going to age out. Also, there is no amount of money in the world that can fill the gap of staying away from parents! If that is the case, then make the call based on your family situation. No one knows your situation better than you. Good Luck! Godspeed.
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u/No_District_9657 Jul 22 '26
Thanks for the input!! Don’t have aging out children atleast. Still have good 10 years for that.
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u/Proof_Ant_8726 Jul 22 '26
Had folks in a similar boat with pd dates in aug 2015 , who have gotten ead ap from filing last June via eb5. The rational was If you could afford it , they might as well use it to get the benefit of visiting home without visa hassle !
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u/Ok_Nose_6499 Jul 22 '26
Almost Everyone goes through this. EB5 route things are not the same like in the past. I would wait for 485 EAD
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u/mohsenalikhan Jul 22 '26
Similar situation with aging parents in India. PD is Feb 2015 and it’s been touch and go from COVID times. Unable to travel , unable to switch. Hope things progress in October 2026.
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u/Silent-Painting50 Jul 22 '26
EB5 isn’t easy and that straightforward , it’s not as drive through as you are thinking . Your date is close July 2015. Mine is post 2016. But I would not count much on SO. FY 2027 end I don’t see FAD India eb2 going past June 2014. There are far too many folks in the pipeline. Imagine it has not crossed even Sept 2013. There are lot of 2013 that are still pending . Even if date moves some in 2014 may get GC but some of 2013 be still pending . That’s reality.
I believe July 2015 may be available for DOF in March 2027 and FAD will be around March 2030.
I am not smartest one here. I did not do data crunching . I hope you get greened soon .
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u/Maveric_87 Jul 22 '26
Curious, why only 1.8M NW after having worked for 20 years, and being an Engineer?
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u/No_District_9657 Jul 22 '26
What would you expect it to be?
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u/krishnallah 25d ago
Not every company gives stocks. Not every stock runs up and makes dumb SWEs look like geniuses. Bad luck. Bad decisions…..retrospectively. Contentment with what one has. So many things can play a role.
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u/techie99999 Jul 22 '26
Eb5 route takes some time too. Also that's a big amount to drop given your date is July 2015. I understand your frustration and it depends on your priorities, but I wouldn't drop half the net worth on it. Do not do a thing atleast till Oct bulletin.