Planning dates · checked October 3, 2026
Important dates.
A decision made on substance.
Some dates affect statutory protection, others affect investment or filing costs. Understand the difference before you decide when to apply.
It should no longer be promoted as an upcoming deadline. It did not end the EB-5 programme. Ask your attorney how post-cutoff filing affects your individual strategy.
Regional-centre grandfathering cutoff
The RIA provides continued processing and visa-allocation protection against a later programme lapse for qualifying regional-centre petitions filed on or before this date. It does not guarantee approval or remove a visa backlog.
Later filings do not receive that statutory cutoff protection. Regional-centre applications remain possible while the programme is authorised, subject to current rules and individual eligibility.
New USCIS EB-5 fee rule
A final rule published September 30, 2026 changes EB-5 immigration-benefit request fees, effective November 30. It states that submissions postmarked on or after that date must carry the fees established by the rule.
This is a filing-fee change, separate from investment capital. Have your attorney confirm the correct form, fee and submission rule before filing.
Minimum investment inflation adjustment
The RIA schedules an automatic adjustment to minimum investment amounts beginning on this date and every five years thereafter. It applies to petitions filed on or after the adjustment’s effective date.
Current minimums are US$800,000 for qualifying targeted-employment-area or infrastructure investments and US$1,050,000 for other investments. Confirm the officially published adjusted figures; projections are not final amounts.
Regional-centre authorization horizon
The RIA authorises the regional-centre pathway through this date. Continuation beyond it depends on further legislation. Direct EB-5 has a different statutory basis.
There is no basis for promising an extension. The importance of this date depends in part on your filing history and any legislative changes.
Visa availability and your own timeline
Check the Visa Bulletin and USCIS filing-chart instructions. A current category can change; a Canadian passport does not by itself establish Canadian chargeability.
Your child’s age, source-of-funds preparation and project subscription timetable may matter more immediately than a general programme date. Let counsel assess them.
Attorney perspective
EB-5 Investors: 3 Critical Deadlines You Need to Know
Ashoori Law’s video introduces the deadline discussion. This page uses separately checked statutory sources and includes the more recent fee-rule date.
Watch on YouTube ↗Deadlines are a reason to begin planning early, not a reason to rush an unsuitable investment or incomplete petition. Discuss the available projects, investment documents and lawful source of funds before committing.
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