EB-5 Visa Bulletin: March 2026 Update

The March 2026 Visa Bulletin is out. Here's what it means for EB-5 investors across all categories.

Parent guide: EB-5 Processing Times in 2026: Stage-by-Stage Timeline

Quick Snapshot: What Changed in March 2026?

For most new EB-5 investors, March 2026 continues a clear pattern:

Unreserved EB-5 (the traditional category) remains backlogged for China and India (priority dates roughly in the 2015 range).
Set-aside categories remain Current for all countries:
Rural TEA: Current
High Unemployment Area (HUA) TEA: Current
Infrastructure: Current

March 2026 EB-5 Priority Dates (What “Current” Really Means)

A priority date is the place you hold in line for an immigrant visa. For EB-5, it is typically the date USCIS receives your Form I-526E (for regional center investments) or Form I-526 (for direct EB-5, where applicable).

When the Visa Bulletin shows “Current”, it means:

Visa numbers are available now for that category and country (subject to annual limits), and
Eligible applicants may be able to move forward with immigrant visa processing or adjustment of status based on the applicable USCIS chart.

When a date is listed, only applicants with a priority date earlier than that cutoff can proceed.

Unreserved EB-5: China and India Remain Backlogged

Why Rural TEA Continues to Matter in March 2026

The rural set-aside category is often considered the speed-focused path within EB-5 because it has:

Dedicated visa numbers under the RIA, and
Historically lower demand than unreserved (though demand can rise quickly if many investors pivot to rural projects).

When rural is Current, it can create two advantages for investors:

Visa availability (especially meaningful for China and India)
Potentially smoother planning for families (schooling timelines, relocation, and U.S. residence plans)

Filing Strategies for New EB-5 Investors (March 2026)

Your best strategy depends on your country of birth, where you live now, and how quickly you want U.S. residence.

1) For China- and India-Born Investors: Consider Rural TEA First (If It Fits)

Because unreserved priority dates remain backlogged for China and India, the strongest availability signal in the EB-5 visa bulletin March 2026 is that rural is still Current.

A common approach is:

Select a credible RIA-compliant rural project (often through a regional center),
File I-526E with a complete, well-documented source of funds package, and

What This Means for “EB-5 Priority Dates Current” Searches

You may see headlines suggesting “EB-5 priority dates current,” but March 2026 is a split reality:

Current is accurate for set-aside categories (rural, HUA, infrastructure) for all countries.
Not current is accurate for unreserved in China and India, where long backlogs remain.

So the right question is not only “Is EB-5 current?” but “Which EB-5 category—and which country—applies to me?”

Where to Check the Exact March 2026 Numbers

Visa Bulletin cutoffs can move month-to-month, sometimes quickly. For the latest data and a clean summary, use our live page here: /visa-bulletin.

(Always confirm with an immigration attorney how the Department of State bulletin and USCIS chart selection apply to your specific filing and processing route.)

If you want help comparing rural TEA versus other EB-5 options—based on your country of birth, timeline, and family goals—our team can walk you through practical next steps and what information you’ll need to prepare.

Schedule a free EB-5 evaluation with our team

FAQs

What are the current EB-5 priority dates?

In the March 2026 bulletin, unreserved EB-5 remains backlogged for China and India (with cutoff dates roughly in the 2015 range), while the set-aside categories—rural TEA, HUA, and infrastructure—are Current for all countries. For the exact cutoff dates as published, check our live tracker: /visa-bulletin.

Is rural TEA still current for all countries?

Yes. In the EB-5 visa bulletin March 2026, the rural TEA set-aside category remains Current for all countries, including China and India.

Has the China EB-5 backlog improved?

Not meaningfully in March 2026 for the unreserved category. The EB-5 China backlog 2026 continues to show cutoff dates around the mid-2010s, which indicates a long wait for new unreserved filings. Investors who qualify and choose a rural TEA (or other set-aside) project may see better visa availability because those categories are still Current.