Short answer: from preparing documents to a permanent green card, EB-5 goes through three main stages: I-526E approval, a two-year conditional green card, and the I-829 to remove conditions. The whole journey often takes several years, but with the conditional green card you can already live, work and study in the US.
Approximate timing by stage
| Stage | What happens | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Choose a project, organise source of funds, transfer | 1–3 months |
| I-526E | USCIS reviews the investment petition | Generally about 12–24 months, depending on USCIS |
| Green card | Consular processing or adjustment | A few months, depending on availability |
| Conditional green card | Living in the US | 2 years |
| I-829 | File within 90 days before expiry; status extended while pending | Depends on USCIS; can take years |
| Citizenship | Apply 5 years after the green card | Separate |
What you can do while waiting
- During I-526E: keep living at home, or file I-485 concurrently if you are in the US and numbers are available.
- On the conditional green card: work, study and start a business — see life on a conditional green card.
- While the I-829 is pending: the receipt extends your conditional status, and you can generally keep working and travelling.
When does the citizenship clock start?
The 5 years run from the day you get the conditional green card, not from I-829 approval — see from green card to citizenship.
What affects timing
- USCIS processing and annual visa numbers.
- Birthplace backlogs — see Hong Kong-born and mainland-born investors.
- Whether you choose a rural project with priority processing.
- Document quality: complete source-of-funds evidence reduces requests for evidence.
Processing times change; this is a general guide. As of October 2026.