The June 2026 Visa Bulletin gives EB-5 investors another important reminder: EB-5 is no longer one simple waiting line. The waiting time can vary significantly depending on the investor’s country of birth and whether the investment falls under the unreserved category or one of the reserved set-aside categories.
For June 2026, the EB-5 unreserved category remains backlogged for mainland China and India. This means investors born in these two countries may still face longer visa waiting times if they invest through the traditional unreserved EB-5 category. By contrast, the unreserved category remains current for investors from most other countries.
The set-aside categories continue to be the most important part of the EB-5 timing discussion. These include rural area projects, high unemployment area projects, and infrastructure projects. In the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, all three set-aside categories remain current for all countries. This is particularly relevant for investors from China and India, because a current set-aside category may provide a different timing path compared with the unreserved category.
However, investors should not misunderstand the meaning of “current.” A current category means visa numbers are presently available under the Visa Bulletin. It does not mean the full EB-5 process will be completed quickly. Investors still need to select a project, prepare source-of-funds documents, file Form I-526E, wait for USCIS adjudication, and then complete either adjustment of status or consular processing.
The Department of State also gave an important warning regarding India in the EB-5 unreserved category. It noted that continued demand and visa number use may require the category to retrogress or become unavailable as early as the following month. For Indian investors, this is a clear signal that timing strategy should be reviewed carefully before choosing between reserved and unreserved EB-5 options.
For investors, the real question is not simply: “Is EB-5 current?” A better question is: “Which EB-5 category does this project qualify for, and how could that category affect my family’s immigration timeline?” The answer may be different depending on the investor’s birthplace, family size, project category, filing date, and future visa demand.
Project due diligence also remains essential. A set-aside project may offer a visa-timing advantage, but investors still need to review job creation, capital structure, developer experience, repayment strategy, regional center compliance, and immigration risk. Visa availability is only one part of the EB-5 decision.