EB-5 in Focus: February 2026 Visa Bulletin Snapshot
The February 2026 Visa Bulletin brings steady updates for investors looking at the EB-5 program as a pathway to U.S. residency. The EB-5 category receives 7.1% of the total annual employment based immigrant visas, making it one of the most established routes for securing a green card through investment and job creation.
For most countries, the unreserved EB-5 category remains current, which means eligible applicants can move forward without waiting for a priority date. However, investors from India and China still face cut off dates or retrogression in the unreserved category. As of February 2026, the cut off date for China mainland born applicants is August 15, 2016, and for India it is May 1, 2022.
The good news is that for new applicants, the reserved visa categories remain current for all countries. This makes choosing the right type of project even more important. These set aside options, including rural, high unemployment, and infrastructure projects, continue to create opportunities for faster processing, especially for investors from high demand countries.
For those considering an EB-5 investment visa, targeting one of these categories may offer a smoother path forward.
Compared to January 2026, there has been no movement in the unreserved EB-5 category. The cut off dates for China and India remain exactly the same as last month , and the reserved categories continue to stay current for all nationalities. This month to month stability provides clarity for investors planning their timelines and strategy.
Over the past few years, we have seen a significant rise in demand for the US EB-5 visa from Dubai, with more families seriously exploring immigration to the USA through investment. Understanding the EB-5 visa process, selecting the right project, and working with experienced advisors can make a meaningful difference in both processing timelines and overall success.
Overall, February reflects continued demand for EB-5 but also clear opportunities, particularly for investors who qualify under the reserved categories and plan strategically.
