EB5 United, a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services-designated EB-5 Regional Center, announced on March 19 that families and professionals interested in U.S. Permanent Residency through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program should be aware of an important upcoming deadline.
The announcement highlights that while the EB-5 Regional Center Program is currently authorized through September 30, 2027, a key protection deadline falls earlier, on September 30, 2026. Under the Grandfathering provision introduced by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), investors who properly file Form I-526E on or before this date may continue to have their petitions processed under current program rules even if the program lapses later.
The background provided by EB5 United recalls that when the EB-5 Regional Center Program expired on June 30, 2021, processing of all pending petitions was immediately suspended. This left many families without clarity or a timeline for their applications. Some children aged out of dependent eligibility, H-1B holders faced expiring work authorization, and F-1 students were uncertain about their future in the United States. The Grandfathering rule was introduced with the RIA in March 2022 to protect investors from similar disruptions in the future.
Immigration professionals recommend that prospective investors allow enough time to complete necessary documentation and petition preparation ahead of the deadline. Suggested steps include retaining a qualified U.S. immigration attorney by March 2026, starting source of funds documentation by March 2026, completing project due diligence and capital preparation by May 2026, and targeting I-526E filing with USCIS no later than July 2026.
More information about requirements and processes for the EB-5 Visa program can be found at EB5 United’s resource page.
