EB-5 Investment Visa

EB-5 Investment Visa 2025 Guide: RIA Changes, Requirements & Faster Paths

All rights reserved by International Creative Capital (ICC) – ICC teams have 15 years of EB-5 experience and expertise

Published Date: August 29, 2025

Part 4: Policy Changes and Regulatory Shifts

EB-5 Investment Visa 2025: Amounts, Set-Asides & Timeline

In Part 4 of this guide, we will review the 2025 EB-5 numbers, reserved visas, timelines, I-693 rules & filing tips under the RIA. Start your compliant, lower-risk approach to a green card today.

The EB-5 Investment Visa remains one of the most reliable routes to US permanent residency for foreign investors, regardless of whether they are already in the US or applying from their home country. The program under the Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) highlights strict supervision, special visa categories, and quicker filing processes, making 2025 a year to watch for new applicants.

EB-5 Minimum Investment Amounts (2025)

  • US $800,000 for rural, high-unemployment (TEA), infrastructure projects
  • US $1,005,000 for non-TEA projects

The RIA sets the minimum amount that applies to all petitions currently in process.

Five-Year Inflation Adjustment

Under the law, the EB-5 minimum investment will be adjusted for inflation every 5 years. The first change will come into effect on January 1, 2027, for petitions filed on or after that date uscis.gov

Adjustment For Inflation:

Based on the Consumer Price Index, as a guide, investment levels are expected to increase by about 12% to 18% In practical terms, the TEA (Targeted Employment Area) amount of $800,000 could rise to roughly $896,000 – $944,000, while the non-TEA minimum of $1,050,000 may reach approximately $1,176,000 – $1,239,000.

These are only estimates, not official USCIS figures, but they provide investors with a clear idea of how inflation is likely to increase the amount required in the next cycle. To keep the current $800,000 TEA threshold, investors should plan to file before December 31, 2026.

Contact Us Now to lock in your $800,000 investment. 🔗 Contact us

EB-5 Grandfather Clause: How Filing Before September 30, 2026, Protects Investors

The Grandfather Clause in the Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) protects anyone who files an EB-5 petition on or before September 30, 2026. IIUSA explains that this protection works in two ways:

  1. It prevents new rules from being applied to earlier filings
  2. It requires USCIS to keep processing those cases even if the Regional Center Program is not renewed when it is up for renewal in 2027.
    (Source: IIUSA)

Because USCIS must raise EB-5 investment amounts every five years for inflation, with the next increase taking effect January 1, 2027, filing before the 2026 deadline also locks in today’s investment level.

In short, filing before September 30, 2026, protects the investor from a program lapse (which is unlikely), shields them from future rule changes, and preserves the current investment amount even after USCIS adjusts the minimum in 2027.

There are no indicators that the EB-5 Program will not be renewed by Congress in 2027.

Reserved Visa Categories: Faster Processing

Out of the total EB-5 Visas available, 32% are reserved each fiscal year: 20% for rural areas, 10% for high-unemployment zones, and 2% for infrastructure projects. These TEA projects usually move quickly through the Visa Bulletin and have been “current” in recent months.

Job Creation Requirement

Every EB-5 investment must create 10 full-time jobs in the US. USCIS also considers Indirect employment if the project is carried out by a regional center and is supported by an approved economic development model. USCIS reviews job-creation evidence closely to prevent misuse of the program and ensure each investor qualifies legitimately.

Concurrent Filing for Applicants Already in the US.

Under the RIA, investors already in the United States on valid non-immigrant status can submit their I-485 (Adjustment of Status) at the same time they file the I-526E petition, enabling them to obtain Employment Authorization (EAD) and Advance Travel Permits (AP) in less than three months. With our projects, investors typically see their ability to work anywhere, travel, and live freely anywhere in the United States within 60–90 days.

The Medical Examination (Form I-693) – New Rules for the year 2025

There is a new USCIS requirement that began on December 2, 2024. Investors filing Form I-485 must include a sealed medical examination from a USCIS-approved civil surgeon. Without it, USCIS will issue delays, causing RFEs.

  • What it includes: A physical exam, basic lab tests, and proof of required vaccinations.
  • Timing: ICC will guide you on the best time to schedule, usually 4–8 weeks before filing your I-485, so results are valid and available when needed.
  • ICC Support: ICC works with each investor to identify qualified civil surgeons in their area and helps arrange the appointment at the right time in the EB-5 process, preventing unnecessary delays, proper handling of the sealed form, and avoiding mistakes that can cause delays.

The minimum amount of time for the funds invested

It is a minimum of 2 years from the date of the investment.

EB-5 Sustainment Rule:

Currently, the statute requires that an investor’s funds remain at risk for a period of no less than two years. However, USCIS has not yet defined exactly when the sustainment period begins or what qualifies as “at risk.”

IIUSA has reiterated its backing of a five-year sustainment period, explaining that a longer timeframe is more in line with how real projects operate and gives investors stronger assurance that the jobs required for their immigration approvals can be properly created and documented. (IIUSA Press Release, July 30, 2025)

Current Visa Bulletin – Quick Look at September 2025  

  • Reserved EB-5 Categories with priority visa set-asides – rural, high-unemployment & infrastructure are Current, no cut-off dates.
  • Unreserved EB-5: Unreserved categories: Cut-off dates for China, December 8, 2015, and India, November 15, 2019; the rest of the world is current 🔗travel.state.gov

The US Department of State website is the best place to check for the 🔗 Latest Bulletin

Integrity and Oversight under the RIA

Regional Center Oversight:

As a designated 🔗USCIS Regional Center (RC2300002191), International Creative Capital is required to meet several ongoing compliance obligations. These include an annual contribution of $10,000–$20,000 to the EB-5 Integrity Fund, undergoing USCIS audits on a five-year cycle, and submitting the yearly Form I-956G report that verifies ongoing compliance, confirms accurate job-creating reporting, maintains program integrity, and ensures investor protections.  🔗 USCIS

Why It Matters?

These requirements are designed to protect investors, strengthen program integrity, and ensure that projects remain compliant over time. ICC is compliant with all of the requirements.

ICC’s role:

Successfully starting the process of Getting Your EB-5 Investment Approval depends on selecting a qualified project and providing the correct job-creation documentation. Before finalizing the investment decision, it is essential to review economic reports, USCIS notices, and regional center records. ICC’s team provides support with strategy, documentation, and timeline optimization to ensure your petition complies with RIA integrity requirements and maximizes your chances of approval.

🔗 Schedule your EB-5 consultation today.

FAQs

What is the EB-5 minimum investment amount in 2025?

In 2025, the EB-5 investment minimums remain $800,000 for rural, high-unemployment (TEA), and infrastructure projects, and $1,050,000 for non-TEA projects under the Reform and Integrity Act (RIA).

Will EB-5 investment amounts increase in 2027?

Yes. The law requires USCIS to adjust EB-5 investment amounts every five years for inflation. The next increase will take effect on January 1, 2027, which is why many investors file before the 2026 deadline.

What is the EB-5 Grandfather clause and why is September 30, 2026 important?

The RIA’s Grandfather clause protects investors who file on or before September 30, 2026, ensuring their petition is processed even if the EB-5 program lapses and shielding them from future rule changes or investment increases.

Do TEA EB-5 reserved visa categories process faster?

Yes. Reserved categories, rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure have recently been listed as “current” in the September 2025 Visa Bulletin, meaning no cut-off dates and potentially faster processing.

Do I need to submit a medical exam (Form I-693) with my EB-5 I-485 application?

Yes. As of December 2, 2024, USCIS requires Form I-693 to be submitted at the time of filing the I-485. Missing the sealed medical exam can result in RFEs and delays.

In case you missed earlier parts of this series, you can catch up here:

  1. 🔗 USCIS Backlogs and Retrogression 

  2. 🔗 Complexity of Source-of-Funds Documentation

  3. 🔗 Project Risk and Job Creation Requirements

  4. 🔗 Fraud and Mismanagement in the Industry

References

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