EB-5 Unreserved · China (mainland-born)

What this means for China (mainland-born) applicants

For May 2026, EB-5 Unreserved for China (mainland-born) sits at Mar 1, 2017 under the Dates for Filing chart. That means only applicants whose priority date is earlier than Mar 1, 2017 may move forward this month. Based on today's cutoff, the effective backlog is approximately 9.1 years — though real-world waits depend on how quickly the chart advances month to month.

Employment-based categories for China-born applicants move slower than worldwide but faster than India. EB-5 Unreserved for China has been particularly backlogged. Cross-chargeability to a non-Chinese spouse's country of birth can dramatically shorten waits.

How to read this page

The Visa Bulletin publishes two charts each month. The Final Action Dates chart tells you when the U.S. government can actually issue a green card — your priority date must be earlier than the listed cutoff. The Dates for Filing chart is earlier and lets you file Form I-485 (adjustment of status) before your priority date is fully current, provided USCIS has chosen to accept filings against this chart for the month.

For May 2026, USCIS is accepting employment-based adjustment filings against the Dates for Filing chart. This can change month to month — always confirm against uscis.gov/visabulletininfo before filing.

Priority date basics

For EB-5 Unreserved, your priority date is the date USCIS received your I-140 petition. This is the date you use to measure progress against the Visa Bulletin every month.