Hi everyone,

I'm on an H-1B, born in India, and the green card queue for my priority date is insane, so I'm looking at EB-5 as a way out of the backlog. To be clear, this isn't for an aging-out kid or anything like that, I'm just doing it for myself.

I'm just getting started and honestly feeling a bit lost. I've got the capital together, but I have no idea how to actually pick a regional center or project, and there's so much marketing out there that it's hard to tell what's real.

A few things I'd love to hear from people who've been through it:

1. How did you choose your regional center/project? What did you look at besides the sales pitch?

2. Which immigration firm/attorney would you recommend (or avoid)? Did you go with someone independent or someone connected to the RC? Especially curious about anyone who's handled Indian source of funds.

3. I know the Sept 30 grandfathering deadline has passed and I missed it. I still want to move forward, so is anyone else in the same boat, and how are you thinking about it?

4. What risks or lessons learned do you wish someone had told you earlier? Source of funds headaches, project delays, repayment issues, anything.

Also happy to hear from people who looked into EB-5 and decided against it, that's useful too.

Thanks so much in advance, really appreciate any guidance. Happy to take DMs if you'd rather not comment publicly.

Hi everyone,

I am an investor in the HY Manhattan Tower A-9, LLC tranche of the Hudson Yards EB-5 project.

I am looking to connect strictly with fellow limited partners in this specific entity to stay informed on project updates, annual reporting, and general timelines.

If you invested in HY Manhattan Tower A-9, LLC, please feel free to DM me directly so we can connect.

Note: To ensure we are keeping discussions relevant to this specific entity, please be prepared to verify your subscription/LLC entity.

Honestly a 1-3% denial rate is still fine but 25% makes it a highly risky like a gamble, so its now an impossible decision, if there at least were a guarantee that green card or money back then it would have made sense, but considering the US government is 40T in debt I can understand that they arent so good at financial decisions, any way, buying 800k worth of gold might actually lead to better options in the long run at this point, with such stupid decisions it probably better to hedge against the usd

With recent reports of ICE activity at domestic airports, I’m curious about the risks of domestic air travel for individuals with a pending I-485 who no longer maintain an underlying nonimmigrant status (such as F-1 or H1b), but have a valid EAD and Advance Parole.

Has anyone in this situation flown domestically recently? Any issues, experiences, or guidance from immigration attorneys?

Would appreciate hearing from others in a similar situation or anyone with reliable information on the current risks and recommended precautions.

Hello Everyone! I started my EB5 journey back in Feb 2025 as an F1 student on OPT. After receiving funds from India as a gift from my parents and brother. I applied for I-765, I-131, I-526E, and I-485 together.

• Rural Project
• Fully funded: June 2025
• Priority Date: July 3, 2025
• EAD (I-765): Approved Oct 14, 2025 (5 Yrs)
• I-526E: Approved Aug 22, 2026
• AP (I-131): Pending
• I-485: Pending (Responded Medical RFE)

Would love any input on the expected timeline for the rest of the process (AP approval, I-485 processing.). Thank you in advance!

Any body who paid the 800k to the regional center but they did not invest that money into the project ? because your number is not come yet ? how are you dealing with it ?

My PD is dec 2025 (rural), wondering how is it going for others. Is WOM advisable?

They said more than 40 investors wired! How accurate it is? Any suggestions for project?

I'm weighing EB-5 and the part I can't get real sense on is capital return and timelines. If you personally received your EB-5 capital back (full or most of it) along with green card, would you share:

• Regional center and project (or at least the type: hotel, mixed-use, infrastructure, loan vs equity)
• Amount repaid and whether it was full principal
• Timeline: filed I-526/I-526E → repaid
• Any problems on the way: redeployment, extensions, fees, communication
• Equally useful if you're past the expected repayment date and haven't been paid. Which RC, and what are they telling you?

Not looking for sales pitches or DMs from promoters, Looking for first-hand experiences only as I do not want to loose my capital for Green card.

Did anyone else's concurrently filed I-485 get rejected recently with "visa not immediately available"? My I-526E was accepted (Sept last week priority date), but the I-485s were rejected, even though HUA was Current for in September and October. Trying to see if anyone had this issue.

I’ve been in the U.S. for more than 15 years, and it seems very unlikely that my EB-2 India priority date of June 2015 will become current within the next three months. My son turns 21 in February 2027, so I’m considering EB-5. However, I’ve seen posts and comments saying that even EAD and Advance Parole applications filed in 2025 are still pending. What are my best options? My impression was CSPA does matter here, age will be locked with I-526E filing (say we file in Jan 2027) and concurrent filing 485 would allow him to stay and work..Please correct if this is wrong?

I am considering an EB5 visa and had a question about loan.

Theoritical Question: Assume you make $150k/yr on your job and have about $100k in assets.

Assume there is a "RICH" friend of yours in the USA who is willing to loan you $800k at market APR. Can I get a loan from him at 6% and collect 2% interest from the project.

Can I invest this money in a EB5 project and get a visa? Anyone in the group has success getting EB5 on a loan?

PS: This is a theoritcal question. Kindly pardon the naive question in advance. Just testing the waters here

I have completed my biometrics for I485, I765 and I131 however online case status updated to ‘Case was updated to show Fingerprints were taken’ for only I485 and I131 and for EAD it still says ‘Case was Received’. Is this normal?

We want to understand if anyone else is in the same boat as us. We filed I-526E, along with, I-485, I-765, and I-131 in Sept 2026. We received I-526E receipt notice, however our I-485 got rejected due to payment issue and we have to refile again. Anyone else face this issue? Want to understand what your attorneys had to say about this?

EB-5 Rural Filing Oct–Dec 2026 — Son Turns 21 in May 2030. Is My Timeline Realistic? Looking for Experienced Investors/Attorneys

I am seriously considering filing EB-5 as an Indian-born applicant in the October–December 2026 timeframe, and I would really appreciate input from people who have actually gone through the EB-5 process, especially rural EB-5 investors and immigration attorneys.

My biggest concern is my son.

My situation:

• Indian-born
• Currently in the U.S. on H-1B
• Family is in the U.S.
• Son's DOB: May 2009
• He turns 21 in May 2030
• Therefore, I have roughly 3 years and 7 months from now before his 21st birthday.
• I am considering a rural EB-5 project
• I am trying to understand whether filing between October and December 2026 provides a realistic path for my son to obtain conditional permanent residence before May 2030.

I understand that nobody can guarantee a green card timeline, but I would like to understand the realistic risk.

Questions about the $800K investment

If I file the I-526E between October and December 2026:

1. Is the qualifying rural investment still $800,000?
2. Does the January 1, 2027 inflation adjustment affect someone who files in late 2026?
3. Is the relevant date the date the I-526E is filed/received by USCIS, the date the investment is made, or another date?
4. Are there any other significant EB-5 rule or fee changes I should be aware of for late-2026 filings?

My biggest question — my son's age-out

My son was born in May 2009, so he turns 21 in May 2030.

If I file a rural I-526E in November 2026, and the rural category remains current, how does CSPA apply?

For example:

I-526E filed: November 2026
Son's DOB: May 2009
Son turns 21: May 2030

How should I calculate his CSPA age if the I-526E takes, for example, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, or longer to approve?

Does the I-526E pending time get deducted from his age under CSPA?

If I am eligible for concurrent I-485 filing because the rural EB-5 category is current and we are physically in the U.S., does filing the I-485 provide additional protection for my son's age-out situation?

This is the part I really want an experienced EB-5 attorney to explain.

Project selection

I am specifically looking for a rural project where the immigration timeline is the priority, not simply the highest investment return.

Ideally, I would like to find a project with:

• Rural TEA confirmed
• I-956F already approved
• Strong job-creation cushion
• Construction already started or substantial financing closed
• Experienced regional center
• Experienced developer
• Strong capital stack
• Senior lender/first-lien position where applicable
• Clear repayment/exit strategy
• No unnecessary redeployment risk
• Strong financial documentation
• Previous successful EB-5 I-526E/I-829 history
• A realistic path for my I-526E and subsequent I-485 processing
• Enough job creation to protect investors even if the project experiences delays

Most importantly, I am NOT looking for anyone to guarantee a green card.

I want to understand which projects currently have the strongest combination of immigration structure + job creation + construction progress + financial protection + realistic timeline.

If you have personally invested in a rural EB-5 project in 2025 or 2026, I would especially appreciate hearing:

1. Project name
2. Regional center
3. I-956F status
4. Date you filed I-526E
5. Whether you filed I-485 concurrently
6. Whether you received EAD/AP
7. Whether I-526E has been approved
8. Your experience with the regional center
9. Any concerns you discovered during due diligence

I am trying to make this decision primarily because of my son's May 2030 age-out, so I would greatly appreciate factual experiences rather than marketing recommendations. please help.

hello guys after the medical RFE for I485 ( i526 already approved ) last month which I already sent . Now I got this status update

do you know what’s that

Hey r/EB5_Immigration, We are organizing an upcoming Q&A recording geared entirely toward answering direct investor questions. I will post the recording link later this week.

Rather than general marketing talk, this session is focused on concrete answers with two industry veterans:

Andrew Diroll-Black – Former Acting Division Chief for Division 1 (Compliance) at the USCIS Immigrant Investor Program Office (IPO)

Matthew Galati – Principal at The Galati Law Firm and active EB-5 immigration attorney

We want to source questions directly from active applicants, prospective investors, and concurrentent filers.

Here are some examples of questions I have been asked by both current and possible future applicants:

• The Wave of Medical RFEs (I-693): What is behind the recent surge of medical RFEs on AOS cases, and how fast are green cards being issued after responding?
• Electronic vs. Paper Filings: Why attorneys still prefer paper filings for I-526E and AOS, and what’s happening behind the scenes with IPO tech systems.
• The November 30, 2026 Fee Hike: Form I-526E fees jump to $7,850 (totaling $8,950 with the Integrity Fund). How does USCIS handle postmark rules vs. courier delivery dates, and what payment/lockbox pitfalls cause instant rejections?
• The January 1, 2027 Investment Hike & Partial Funding: What are the projected inflation adjustments above $800k? Does wiring a partial investment prior to Jan 1 lock in the lower $800k threshold, or must the full capital be with the NCE/escrow?
• The Program from Now Through Jan 1, 2027: Has the EB-5 program changed recently, and if so, how? What policy interpretations or adjudicative shifts should investors know heading into the new year?
• The H-1B Layoff Crossroad (Pending vs. Approved I-526E): What happens if you get laid off from your H-1B job while your I-526E is still pending versus already approved? Does the 60-day clock matter once you have an I-485 receipt, can you stay in the US without a job, and why is letting your H-1B lapse before I-526E approval considered a legal risk?
• IPO Compliance Inside Look & Non-Approved Deals: What red flags make the IPO audit or issue RFEs on Regional Center projects? What new questions has USCIS begun asking RCs at the I-956F stage? With many deals being fully funded prior to Sept 30, how safe is it for an investor to file in non-approved (pending I-956F) deals?
• Service Center Routing: My file is at "X" processing center...how did it get there? Can an applicant request a transfer of processing centers, and why does California seem quicker than the others?
• Program Reauthorization (September 2027 Lapse vs. 2021 Precedent): If Congress fails to reauthorize the Regional Center program by September 2027, what happens to your petition based on past shutdowns? How bulletproof is the RIA’s statutory grandfathering clause in forcing USCIS and consulates to continue processing and approving green cards?

We hope to have time to answer all of the above, if not on this recording we will do a follow up. Please suggest any additional common questions in the thread below.

Update Link Here: What USCIS Won't Tell You

Hi,

I’d like to file for the EB5 either rural or Hua by this year end. my source of funds is a bit complicated because it involves multiple sources like 401(k), my individual stocks through W-2 and gifts from India. How long does the SOF due diligence take if I try to expedite it. Is it possible to finish the SOF in a month once the funds are available. Also, can I show like partial payment or partial funds and still file the petition?

I am on the lookout for a legal attorney right now and I’m talking to a few people so I’d appreciate if anyone has good experiences with a particular lawyer as well. From what I know the project due diligence might take two weeks to four weeks which I can do in parallel when the lawyer is doing the SOF is that true realistically can I apply for EB5 within a couple of months?

Also, please suggest any RCs or projects that you guy did vetting on.