Montage Big Sky Reaches First I-829 Approval

Q: What does an I-829 approval mean?

An I-829 approval is the final step in the EB-5 process. It confirms that USCIS has verified the required job creation and that the investor sustained their capital investment throughout the required period. With approval, the conditions on the investor's two-year Conditional Green Card are removed and a 10-year Permanent Resident Card is issued. The investor's Permanent U.S. Residence is now secured, with future eligibility to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization once residency and other statutory requirements are met.

Q: How long does the I-829 process typically take?

USCIS processing times for I-829 petitions vary case by case. As of June 2026, USCIS reports that 80% of I-829 petitions adjudicated by its Immigrant Investor Program Office are completed within 22 months. The investor referenced in this update filed their I-829 in November 2024 and received approval in June 2026, a span of roughly 19 months, within that published window. Other petitions may be adjudicated faster or slower depending on USCIS workload and case complexity. While the I-829 is pending, investors can continue living and working in the United States on their Conditional Green Card, with USCIS issuing extension notices that maintain lawful status until adjudication is complete. Individual timelines are subject to USCIS adjudication.

Q: What is Montage Big Sky?

Montage Big Sky is a completed Regional Center EB-5 Project developed by CrossHarbor Capital Partners and sponsored under EB5 United's Northern Rockies Regional Center. Located in Big Sky, Montana, the 99-room hotel and 39 residences opened in fall 2021. The Project's EB-5 loan was repaid in full in September 2023. With this first I-829 approval, an investor at the Project has reached the final milestone of the EB-5 immigration process, with the conditions on their Permanent Residence removed.

Q: What happens to an investor's status after I-829 approval?

Once the I-829 petition is approved, the conditions on the investor's two-year Conditional Green Card are removed and a 10-year Permanent Resident Card is issued to the investor and qualifying family members. They continue to live and work in the United States without EB-5-related restrictions. After meeting the residency and other requirements set by U.S. immigration law, they may become eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization. The 10-year Green Card can also be renewed as long as residency obligations are maintained.

Q: Is the EB-5 Program still accepting new investors in 2026?

Yes. The EB-5 Regional Center program is currently authorized through September 30, 2027 under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) of 2022. New investors can file I-526E petitions through a designated Regional Center sponsoring a TEA-qualifying Project. Investors who file before September 30, 2026 are grandfathered under existing rules, and minimum investment thresholds are scheduled to increase on January 1, 2027. Prospective investors should consult qualified immigration counsel before making any decisions.

Eb5 Uniteds Montage Big Sky Reaches First I‑829 Approval Permanent U.s. Residence Secured

EB5 United is pleased to share that an investor in The Montage Hotel and Residences (Montage Big Sky) has received the Project’s first I‑829 approval. With it, the investor’s conditions have been removed, and their Permanent U.S. Residence is now secured.

The Montage Hotel and Residences opened on January 12th, 2022 and its EB‑5 loan was repaid in full in September 2023. With this first I‑829 approval, an investor at the Project has now reached the final milestone of the EB‑5 immigration process: the conditions on their Permanent Residence have been removed, confirming that the required jobs were created and that the investment was sustained throughout the required period.

Key Takeaways

An EB‑5 investor in Montage Big Sky has received the Project’s first I‑829 approval, removing the conditions on their Permanent U.S. Residence.
The approval confirms that the required jobs were created and that the investor sustained the investment throughout the required period.
The investor’s two-year Conditional Green Card converts to a 10-year Permanent Resident Card, with future eligibility to pursue U.S. citizenship.
Montage Big Sky is a completed Regional Center EB‑5 Project in Big Sky, Montana, developed by CrossHarbor Capital Partners.

What I‑829 Approval Confirms

What removal of conditions actually validates.

An I‑829 approval is the last petition in the EB‑5 process. It confirms that the required jobs were created and that the investor satisfied the EB‑5 requirements, including sustaining the investment throughout the required period.

Capital Sustained

USCIS confirms the investor’s capital remained at risk in the Project throughout the required Sustainment Period, which ends once the investor has held the Green Card for two full years.

Jobs Created

The Project created the jobs the EB‑5 Program requires, a minimum of 10 qualifying jobs attributable to the investor.

Conditions Removed

The two-year Conditional Green Card converts to a 10-year Permanent Resident Card, securing the investor’s Permanent Residence, with eligibility to pursue U.S. citizenship in the future.

The Investor’s Journey

From petition to Permanent Residence.

This investor filed under the pre-RIA EB‑5 framework. Their petition moved through the standard process to a completed I‑829 approval. Of note, the lack of Priority Processing pre-RIA, COVID, and the Regional Center shutdown in 2021 did impact processing times.

Petition timeline from I‑526 filing to I‑829 approval

Oct 2019

I‑526 petition filed

Oct 2022

I‑526 approved

Dec 2022

Conditional Green Card issued

Nov 2024

I‑829 petition filed

Jun 2026

I‑829 approved. Permanent U.S. Residence Secured.

The Project

About Montage Big Sky.

Montage Big Sky is located in Big Sky, Montana.

The Montage Hotel and Residences is a completed Regional Center EB‑5 Project developed by CrossHarbor Capital Partners and sponsored under EB5 United’s Northern Rockies Regional Center. The Montage Hotel and Residences opened on January 12th, 2022 and its EB‑5 loan was repaid in full in September 2023.

EB5 United’s involvement with Montage Big Sky followed comprehensive internal review, consistent with our long-standing focus on aligning with experienced developers as investor families pursue their U.S. immigration journeys.

Project Status

Completed

EB‑5 loan repaid in full, September 2023

Project Category

Regional Center

EB‑5 Project

The Montage Hotel and Residences exterior, Big Sky, Montana — The Montage Hotel and Residences, Big Sky, Montana

Montage Big Sky lounge and dining interior

Montage Big Sky bar interior with mountain view

For Investors Considering EB‑5 Today

Dates every EB‑5 investor should know about.

Montage Big Sky’s investor filed years ago under the pre-RIA framework. For investors evaluating EB‑5 now, the current Regional Center program operates against a fixed statutory clock set by Congress.

Sep 30, 2026

Grandfathering Deadline

File the I‑526E petition by this date to lock in eligibility under the EB‑5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.

Jan 1, 2027

Investment Amount Increase (Projected)*

EB‑5 minimum investment amounts are scheduled to increase.

TodayAfter Jan 1, 2027

TEA ProjectsRural & High‑Unemployment Area

$800K +$130–150K $930K–$950K

Non‑TEA ProjectsStandard investment

$1.05M +$200K $1.25M

Sep 30, 2027

Program Sunset Date

The Regional Center program will sunset unless Congress reauthorizes it by this date.

*Projected. Final amounts will be set by USCIS and are not guaranteed.

Why EB5 United Leads

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

Montage Big Sky’s first I‑829 approval extends a track record built on disciplined sponsor selection and structural safeguards designed to protect investor capital. 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

$8.5B+

Total Project Cost – Developed & Under Development

3,000+

Conditional Green Card Approvals

1,800+

I‑526 & I‑526E Approvals

510+

I‑829 Petition Approvals

$194MM

Capital Repaid

27,000+

Total Jobs Created

15+

Years of EB‑5 Experience

850+

I‑526E Approvals Post-RIA

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about I‑829 approvals.

What does an I‑829 approval mean?

An I‑829 approval is the final step in the EB‑5 process. It confirms that USCIS has verified the required job creation and that the investor sustained their capital investment throughout the required period. With approval, the conditions on the investor’s two-year Conditional Green Card are removed and a 10-year Permanent Resident Card is issued. The investor’s Permanent U.S. Residence is now secured, with future eligibility to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization once residency and other statutory requirements are met.

How long does the I‑829 process typically take?

USCIS processing times for I‑829 petitions vary case by case. As of June 2026, USCIS reports that 80% of I‑829 petitions adjudicated by its Immigrant Investor Program Office are completed within 22 months. The investor referenced in this update filed their I‑829 in November 2024 and received approval in June 2026, a span of roughly 19 months, within that published window. Other petitions may be adjudicated faster or slower depending on USCIS workload and case complexity. While the I‑829 is pending, investors can continue living and working in the United States on their Conditional Green Card, with USCIS issuing extension notices that maintain lawful status until adjudication is complete. Individual timelines are subject to USCIS adjudication.

What is Montage Big Sky?

Montage Big Sky is a completed Regional Center EB‑5 Project, the EB‑5 funds were raised by EB5 United and the Project was developed by CrossHarbor Capital Partners. Located in Big Sky, Montana, the 99-room hotel and 39 residences opened on January 12th, 2022. The Project’s EB‑5 loan was repaid in full in September 2023. With this first I‑829 approval, an investor at the Project has reached the final milestone of the EB‑5 immigration process, with the conditions on their Permanent Residence removed.

What happens to an investor’s status after I‑829 approval?

Once the I‑829 petition is approved, the conditions on the investor’s two-year Conditional Green Card are removed and a 10-year Permanent Resident Card is issued to the investor and qualifying family members. They continue to live and work in the United States without EB‑5-related restrictions. After meeting the residency and other requirements set by U.S. immigration law, they may become eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization. The 10-year Green Card can also be renewed as long as residency obligations are maintained.

Is the EB‑5 Program still accepting new investors in 2026?

Yes. The EB‑5 Regional Center program is currently authorized through September 30, 2027 under the EB‑5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) of 2022. New investors can file I‑526E petitions through a designated Regional Center sponsoring a TEA-qualifying Project. Investors who file before September 30, 2026 are grandfathered under existing rules, and minimum investment thresholds are scheduled to increase on January 1, 2027. Prospective investors should consult qualified immigration counsel before making any decisions.

Data source. The I‑829 approval referenced in this article is drawn from EB5 United’s records of USCIS adjudications for Projects sponsored by EB5 United-affiliated Regional Centers. Track-record figures are drawn from EB5 United’s internal records, current as of June 2026.

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.