USCIS Data Shows Continued Expansion of Regional Center EB-5 Filings in Early FY2026
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has released first quarter fiscal year 2026 data for Form I–526 and Form I–526E, providing an updated look at EB–5 immigrant investor petition activity through the close of Q1. The data reflect a significant concentration of filings within the Regional Center program, continued high demand from China and India, and substantial utilization of the rural set–aside category created under the EB–5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.
During Q1 FY2026, USCIS received 1,667 Form I–526E petitions filed through approved Regional Centers, compared to 98 Form I–526 petitions filed by standalone investors not affiliated with a Regional Center. This 17–to–1 ratio underscores the degree to which the Regional Center pathway has become the primary vehicle for EB–5 participation since the program’s reauthorization and restructuring in 2022.
Regional Center Program Remains the Dominant Filing Channel
The Form I–526E is used by EB–5 investors who invest through a designated Regional Center. The Q1 data confirm that the vast majority of new EB–5 investors are choosing this route rather than pursuing direct, standalone investments under Form I–526.
For infrastructure developers, regional centers, and project sponsors, this trend signals continued reliance on pooled investment models. For investors, it reflects the perceived administrative and operational advantages of Regional Center participation, including indirect job creation methodologies that are not available to standalone filers.
The relatively low number of new standalone I–526 filings indicates that direct EB–5 investments currently represent a small fraction of overall market activity, at least in the opening quarter of FY2026.
China and India Account for Half of Regional Center Filings
Country-of-birth data included in the USCIS report show that China and India together account for 837 of the 1,667 I–526E petitions filed in Q1, representing exactly 50 percent of all Regional Center filings during the period.
India recorded 633 I–526E filings, slightly exceeding China’s 614 filings and positioning India as the leading source country for Regional Center petitions in the first quarter of the fiscal year. These figures confirm continued strong EB–5 demand from both countries, each of which has historically experienced high visa usage in the EB–5 category.
Because EB–5 immigrant visas are subject to annual numerical limits and per–country caps, sustained high filing volumes from specific countries can influence future visa availability. Petition receipt data do not directly correlate with visa issuance numbers. However, practitioners and investors often view them as early backlog indicators.
Rural Set-Aside Category Attracts Majority of New I–526E Filings
The Q1 FY2026 data also show that 977 of the 1,667 Regional Center petitions were designated for rural area projects. This represents nearly 59 percent of all I–526E filings received during the quarter.
By comparison, 556 filings were attributed to projects in high unemployment areas. The rural category therefore significantly outpaced the high unemployment category in new petition receipts.
The strong utilization of rural projects reflects the incentives established under the 2022 reforms, which created reserved visa set–asides for rural, high unemployment, and infrastructure projects. Rural projects receive a distinct annual visa allocation and are also eligible for priority processing under current USCIS policy. As demonstrated by the Q1 data, these factors appear to be influencing investor decision-making at a substantial scale.
Implications for Visa Availability and Retrogression Monitoring
USCIS receipt data do not dictate when an investor will receive a visa number. However, filing volumes from high-demand countries are closely monitored.
China and India have faced EB–5 visa retrogression in previous years. High new filing levels may impact future unreserved category demand if set-aside allocations are fully subscribed. The balance between reserved and unreserved category usage will remain a key variable in assessing future visa movement.
Investors, employers in EB–5 projects, and immigration practitioners frequently analyze quarterly filing data. They consider adjudication trends and visa bulletin updates for timing evaluations.
Operational Monitoring Continues
Q1 FY2026 EB–5 petition data offers an initial view of investor trends this fiscal year. It highlights ongoing reliance on the Regional Center program and strong rural project engagement.
As more quarterly data and adjudication figures are released, stakeholders will analyze operational impacts. They will also assess visa availability throughout FY2026.
