EB-5 filings rose in 2025: USCIS statistics—and the “fine print” that changes the picture

In 2025, the EB-5 investor immigration program continued its recovery after the reforms. According to figures released by USCIS, the number of petitions filed increased noticeably. The reporting window covers October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. At first glance, the trend looks like a shift from uncertainty to steady growth.

How many EB-5 filings were made in 2025

By the end of 2025, new applicants helped inject roughly $5.35 billion into the U.S. economy. At the same time, funds were increasingly routed through Regional Center projects—these became the dominant filing channel.

Overall in 2025, 6,307 investors submitted petitions through Regional Center, compared with 4,567 the year before. Direct EB-5 remained a small share: just over 5% of filings, or 353 petitions.

Different outcomes: why Direct EB-5 is filed less

The key contrast shows up in adjudication results. For Direct EB-5 in 2025, the denial rate was high at 58%. This may point to ongoing structural challenges and stricter evidentiary expectations.

For Regional Center, the picture was far more favorable: the denial rate was only 5.7%. This gap largely explains why most applicants prefer the Regional Center route.

How projects are chosen: TEA, rural areas, and high-unemployment zones

Nearly all applicants targeted projects in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA). Rural projects led the way with 3,589 filings. High-unemployment areas came in second, with 2,430 petitions.

Investments outside TEA were extremely rare—only 42 filings. This imbalance suggests that the incentives introduced by the 2022 reforms continue to directly shape investor strategy.

Filing geography: who dominates Regional Center petitions

Country-of-origin distribution remains highly concentrated. China and India accounted for the vast majority of filings: 3,017 and 1,812 petitions respectively. Combined, that is more than three quarters of all Regional Center submissions.

Preferences also differ. In both groups, most applicants still favored rural projects, while investors from other countries were more likely to choose urban high-unemployment areas.

What happens next: I-829 and removing conditions

Beyond initial petitions, the data also reflects progress at a later stage of the program. In 2025, the number of filings for Form I-829 (to remove conditions on permanent residence) rose to 4,402. At the same time, denial rates stayed relatively low—6.6%.

This suggests that if an investor successfully clears the initial stage, the likelihood of completing the process remains high.

“Fine print”: fewer new Regional Centers

Despite the overall rise in filings, there are worrying signals within the EB-5 ecosystem. Requests for new Regional Centers dropped sharply: in 2025 there were only 42, down from 166 the year before. This decline could reflect market consolidation, saturation, or a combination of factors.

At the same time, existing centers continued expanding their pipeline: the number of project filings increased to 245. That may look like a “healthy adjustment” in the market, but it can also mean that program availability for new entrants is narrowing. At least based on the data, the direction is toward fewer new platforms.

Outlook through 2027: continued growth, but uncertainty remains

Against the backdrop of political debates around the EB-5 immigration agenda, the program itself remains broadly stable. Moreover, heightened attention to investment scenarios may be boosting interest in EB-5.

In the near term, further growth is expected. Additional demand in 2026 could be driven by approaching deadlines—the expiration of certain grandfathering provisions in September 2026, as well as the extension of Regional Center program timelines through 2027.

At the same time, the risk of higher investment thresholds and potential legislative uncertainty could accelerate filings in the coming months. Investors often move ahead of schedule when rules may change.

If you’re considering investment-based immigration to the US, it matters not only how much you invest, but also how you file EB-5 and where the approval odds are higher. In 2025, USCIS statistics reveal a clear gap between Direct EB-5 and Regional Center, making your project selection strategy (TEA, rural areas, high-unemployment zones) critical. Want to assess your case and choose the best path? The Digital Nomad team can help you evaluate requirements and build a practical action plan for the investment program.

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