Project selection & source-of-funds preparation
Typically 1–3 months, depending on how quickly documentation for your specific funding source can be assembled. Complex sources (business sale, multi-year savings, gifted funds) take longer to document than a single salaried income history.
Form I-526E adjudication
USCIS processing times fluctuate, but rural TEA and other reserved-category petitions have generally received priority processing, often resulting in materially faster adjudication than the general, non-reserved category. Check current USCIS processing time reports for the most up-to-date figures for your specific filing category.
Visa availability (country of birth dependent)
Once I-526E is approved, you must wait for a visa number to become available under the monthly Department of State Visa Bulletin, if one isn't already current for your category. Reserved-category visas have generally remained current or near-current for most countries; general-category visas can face backlogs for applicants born in mainland China, and at times India and Vietnam.
Adjustment of status or consular processing
If you're already lawfully present in the U.S. (e.g., on F1, H1B, or another status), you may file to adjust status. If you're applying from abroad, you'll complete consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Both routes typically take several months once a visa number is available.
Conditional permanent residency (2 years)
Once granted, you and your qualifying family members hold conditional Green Cards for two years while the project executes its business plan and creates the required jobs.
Form I-829 & removal of conditions
Filed in the 90-day window before your conditional card expires. Once job creation is documented and approved, you receive a standard 10-year Green Card.
Why healthcare projects can help on the I-829 side
Because healthcare facilities typically generate a job-creation buffer well above the required 10 jobs per investor, they reduce the risk that a slower-than-projected ramp-up jeopardizes your I-829 approval — a meaningful consideration given how much of the total timeline sits between conditional and permanent residency.
For a full picture of what's required at each stage, see our EB-5 requirements guide and source-of-funds guide. Timelines vary by individual circumstances, project, and country of birth — an immigration attorney can give you a case-specific estimate.