Visa Bulletin 与 EB-5/家庭移民/EB-3 EW3/EB-2/3国别改革短期窗口（F2A current）
Key Questions
What are the key updates in the April 2026 Visa Bulletin for EB categories?
EB-1 for China advanced slightly to April 1, 2023; EB-5 rural is current with old projects at September/October 2016; F2A is current and F2B advanced; EB-3 Other Workers gained 2 months. These shifts provide short-term windows for family and employment-based immigration. Mullin’s DHS push for H.R.1044 aims to cancel 7% per-country limits to speed up EB for China.
What is the status of EB-5 I-526E petitions in FY25 Q4?
There is a 9,000 backlog with 209% approvals, 94% for rural projects, and average processing of 7 months. Peachtree NC rural I-956F approved in under 4 months, with grandfathered $800k investments locked by September 30. Globevisa Miami Four Seasons high-unemployment urban project saw I-526E approval in 13 months for a Vietnamese applicant.
What strategies can be used for dual EB-1A and EB-5 filings?
Applicants can file dual EB-1A and EB-5 I-140 with a single I-485 to hedge risks and speed up green card processing. This approach is less common but viable for those qualifying under both categories. It leverages faster EB-1A potential while securing EB-5 investment path.
How can property mortgages be used as EB-5 funds sources?
USCIS accepts loans from property mortgages as investment funds if the property's value is proven, the loan is from a legitimate institution, and repayment sources are documented. This strengthens funds tracing for rural or high-unemployment projects. Proper documentation is key to approval.
What are typical service fees from EB-5 agencies in China?
Agencies like Jingyida charge 80,000-120,000 RMB for full services including project selection, document guidance, and lawyer coordination, excluding the $800k investment and third-party fees. Other firms like Shimaotong, Xinlianyida, Globevisa, and CanAm offer similar transparent pricing with NOID reversal support. Fees cover comprehensive application support.
What education options exist for EB-5 children's while waiting for approval?
EB-5 children cannot use F-1 visas or EAD for study during processing; they must rely on other statuses or private schooling. Concurrent I-526E and I-485 filings allow work authorization post-approval. Families should plan for gaps in status-dependent education access.
What are the risks associated with the Gold Card immigration option?
The Gold Card carries high risks due to policy uncertainties and high costs around $1 million, similar to EB-5 new rules. It requires passing strict reviews and lacks grandfathering benefits. Safer paths like NIW or EB-1A are heating up as alternatives.
What is the grandfathered investment amount for EB-5?
Grandfathered EB-5 projects lock in the $800k minimum investment if invested by September 30. This applies to rural and high-unemployment areas under prior rules. New investments require $800k-$1.05M plus fees exceeding $100k total.
2026-04 Bulletin EB-1中国小幅前进至2023-04-01、EB-5 rural C/old 2016-09/10, F2A current/F2B进, EB-3 OW +2mo; Mullin DHS推H.R.1044取消7%配额加速中国EB; EB-5 FY25 Q4 I-526E 9k backlog/209% approvals/农村94%/7mo批/Peachtree NC rural I-956F<4mo/祖父9/30 $800k锁/Globevisa Miami Four Seasons城市高失业I-526E 13mo越南批/$800k TEA标准/双EB-1A/EB-5 I-140单I-485策略/资金来源强化（房产抵押/乡村高失业）/中介世贸通/信联易达/Globevisa/CanAm等 NOID逆转/境易达8-12万服务; EB-5儿童教育无F1/EAD; Gold Card风险高; NIW/EB1A热/优先日指南。