850+ I-526E Approvals! EB5 United Continues to Dominate Rural EB-5 in the Post-RIA Era.

The data in this report reflects approvals through early June 2026. The actual count has continued to grow since publication.

EB5 United has surpassed 850+ I-526E approvals, extending its position as a leading Regional Center for Rural EB-5 investment in the post-RIA era. Based on internal data, approximately 76% of the firm's Rural I-526E petitions have been adjudicated within 12 months under Priority USCIS Processing, a meaningful advantage over the non-Rural EB-5 processing time standard.

In December 2025, EB5 United announced surpassing 750 I-526E approvals. By early April 2026, that number reached 800, and by mid-2026 had surpassed 850, a milestone that reflects the real-world impact of Priority USCIS Processing under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) of 2022 and EB5 United's continued leadership in Rural EB-5 investment.

EB5 United has sponsored eight post-RIA Rural TEA EB-5 Projects and one post-RIA Urban High Unemployment Area (HUA) EB-5 Project since 2022. The Urban HUA Project averages approximately 30.6 months to adjudication, while the Rural TEA portfolio averages 9.6 months, roughly 3.2× faster.

Key Takeaways

850+ I-526E approvals across EB5 United's post-RIA portfolio
9.6 months Rural TEA I-526E average; fastest approval in under 1 month
Approximately 76% of Rural petitions adjudicated within 12 months under Priority USCIS Processing
Priority Rural TEA Processing is roughly 3× faster than the I-526E processing time published by USCIS
Portfolio includes 8 Rural TEA Projects and 1 Urban HUA Project sponsored since the RIA of 2022

Priority Processing Advantage

Rural TEA EB‑5 moves roughly 3× faster than the I‑526E
processing time published by USCIS.

The RIA of 2022 introduced Priority USCIS Processing for Rural TEA petitions with a 120-day target. In practice, EB5 United’s Rural portfolio averages 9.6 months to adjudication, a meaningful advantage over the I-526E processing time published by USCIS, which currently stands at 34.5 months.

Rural TEA vs. USCIS Published I-526E

EB5 United Rural TEA data compared with USCIS’s overall published Form I-526E processing time · As of June 2026

EB5 United Rural TEA Average9.6 mo

USCIS Published I-526E Processing Time34.5 mo

At 9.6 months, EB5 United’s Rural I-526E petitions are adjudicated more than 3× faster
than USCIS’s published Form I-526E processing time of 34.5 months.

Distribution

Most Rural approvals come in under 12 months.

The overwhelming majority of EB5 United's Rural I-526E petitions are adjudicated within a year, and the fastest has come back in just one month.

76%

of Rural I-526E petitions adjudicated within 12 months

646 of 845 Approvals

Rural I-526E Approval Time Distribution

Total: 845 approvals

7.2%

38.6%

30.7%

23.6%

61
Under 4 months
326
4-8 months
259
8-12 months
199
Over 12 months

Portfolio

Post-RIA I-526E approvals, by Project.

EB5 United's post-RIA portfolio includes eight Rural TEA Projects and one Urban HUA Project. Each plays a distinct role in the portfolio; together they account for the full 850+ approval milestone.

Rural TEA

Rural EB-5 Project 1

I-526E Approvals

Avg Time

9.7 mo

Shortest

2.8 mo

Rural TEA

Rural EB-5 Project 2

514

I-526E Approvals

Avg Time

8.5 mo

Shortest

2.7 mo

Rural TEA

Rural EB-5 Project 3

232

I-526E Approvals

Avg Time

12.1 mo

Shortest

1.0 mo

Rural TEA

Rural EB-5 Project 4

I-526E Approvals

Avg Time

6.9 mo

Shortest

4.4 mo

Rural TEA

Rural EB-5 Project 5

I-526E Approvals

Avg Time

7.8 mo

Shortest

7.6 mo

Urban HUA

Urban HUA Project

I-526E Approvals

Avg Time

30.6 mo

Shortest

24.8 mo

I-526E approvals issued in 2026.

An additional 99 Rural I-526E approvals have been issued across EB5 United's portfolio in 2026, including cases approved in under 5 months. Individual processing timelines vary.

Rural EB-5 Project	2026 Approvals	Avg. Time	Shortest Time
Rural EB-5 Project 1	18	10.1 mo	6.2 mo
Rural EB-5 Project 2	70	11.5 mo	4.2 mo
Rural EB-5 Project 3	4	13.8 mo	6.0 mo
Rural EB-5 Project 4	5	6.9 mo	4.4 mo
Rural EB-5 Project 5	2	7.8 mo	7.6 mo

Context

Adjudication speed under the RIA of 2022.

Prior to the RIA of 2022, I-526 petitions often took 2-4 years on average to adjudicate. The RIA of 2022 introduced Priority USCIS Processing for Rural TEA petitions with a 120-day target. In practice, EB5 United's Rural portfolio averages 9.6 months to adjudication, a meaningful advantage over the I-526E processing time published by USCIS, which currently stands at 34.5 months.

Why EB5 United Leads

A proven platform. Verified EB-5 Projects. Unmatched results.

EB5 United stands as the dominant Regional Center for Rural EB-5 Projects in the post-RIA era. Our position is built on data, not marketing.

Track Record

EB5 United's full track record, by the numbers.

$1.8B+

EB-5 Funds Raised Since 2011

$5.78B+

Total Project Cost Under Development

3,000+

Conditional Green Card Approvals

1,500+

I-526 & I-526E Approvals

510+

I-829 Petition Approvals

$194MM

Capital Repaid

27,000+

Total Jobs Created

15+

Years of EB-5 Experience

1st

Position Loan Strategy

EB5 United has long required 1st position, senior lending as a core structural safeguard, designed to provide built-in downside protection for EB-5 investors. Combined with a disciplined due diligence process and relationships with established U.S. development partners, this approach reinforces our fiduciary commitment to every investor family.

The data shows that Priority Processing, applied to well-structured Rural TEA Projects, continues to deliver the fastest and most reliable path to a U.S. Green Card. EB5 United remains the trusted choice for families seeking faster approvals and reliable immigration outcomes.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about I-526E approvals.

What is the I-526E processing timeline in 2026?

Based on EB5 United's internal data, Rural TEA I-526E petitions are averaging approximately 9.6 months to adjudication, with 76% of Rural petitions approved within 12 months. USCIS's March 2026 published data shows Rural Set-Aside filings in a 11.5-36.5 month range and non-Rural standard filings in a 30.5-61 month range. Individual processing timelines may vary and are subject to USCIS adjudication.

What is the difference between I-526 and I-526E?

I-526E is the current petition form for investors participating through a USCIS-designated Regional Center under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) of 2022. I-526 is the legacy form used for pre-RIA direct EB-5 investments. Regional Center investors filing after March 15, 2022 file I-526E; only I-526E petitions are eligible for Rural TEA Priority Processing.

How many I-526E approvals does EB5 United have?

EB5 United has surpassed 850+ I-526E approvals in the post-RIA era, reflecting 845 from its Rural TEA Projects and 8 from its Urban HUA Project. The count has continued to grow since that data was compiled. This is in addition to 1,500+ total I-526 and I-526E approvals and 510+ I-829 approvals across its full 15+ year track record.

What is Rural TEA Priority Processing?

Rural TEA Priority Processing is a USCIS adjudication category established by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) of 2022. USCIS assigns priority adjudication resources to I-526E petitions tied to Rural Targeted Employment Areas, with a statutory target of 120 days. In practice, EB5 United's Rural I-526E petitions average 9.6 months to adjudication - substantially faster than non-Rural standard filings. Learn more about the Rural EB-5 Priority Processing pathway.

What happens after I-526E approval?

After I-526E approval, investors in the United States who concurrently filed I-485 can receive Employment Authorization (EAD) and Advanced Parole (AP), then adjust to Conditional Permanent Residency. Investors abroad proceed through consular processing. Conditional Green Cards are issued for 2 years; the Sustainment Period ends once the investor has held their Green Card for 2 full years. I-829 petitions for removal of conditions are then filed to achieve permanent residency.

What is the EB-5 approval rate post-RIA?

Across EB5 United's post-RIA Rural portfolio, 76% of I-526E petitions have been adjudicated within 12 months, with 7% approved in under 4 months and 39% approved in 4-8 months. Past approval performance is not a predictor of future USCIS processing times, and individual timelines are subject to USCIS adjudication.

How many EB-5 Projects has EB5 United sponsored post-RIA?

EB5 United has sponsored eight post-RIA Rural TEA EB-5 Projects and one post-RIA Urban HUA EB-5 Project since 2022. See the full Project portfolio for completed and current Project details.

Is EB-5 ending in 2026?

The EB-5 Regional Center program is currently authorized through September 30, 2027 under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. Investors who file before the grandfathering deadline (currently September 30, 2026) are generally protected under existing rules even if reauthorization terms change. Prospective investors should consult qualified immigration counsel for the most current Program status.

Data source. All approval counts, processing-time averages, shortest approval times, and distribution percentages referenced in this article are drawn from EB5 United's internal records of actual USCIS I-526E adjudications issued to investors in EB5 United-sponsored Projects. Data is current as of June 2026; the actual count has continued to grow since publication. Figures reflect 850+ post-RIA I-526E approvals across eight Rural TEA EB-5 Projects and one Urban HUA EB-5 Project sponsored since 2022. USCIS industry-wide processing figures referenced for comparison are sourced from USCIS published processing times.

Disclaimer. This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or investment product. This is not a general solicitation or general advertisement. Any securities offering is made exclusively through a confidential Private Placement Memorandum ("PPM") delivered to qualified investors on a private basis. Information herein is based on current laws and USCIS policies as of the date of publication and is subject to change. Past approval performance is not a predictor of future processing times, and individual processing timelines may vary and are subject to USCIS adjudication. Immigration benefits are not guaranteed. This content does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or immigration advice. Prospective investors should consult their own qualified legal, tax, and immigration advisors before making any decisions.