Short answer: A Hong Kong-born family chose a rural set-aside project, invested $800,000, and filed I-526E after organising limited-company dividends and property-sale proceeds into a complete source-and-path file. Under the worldwide quota the set-aside was Current with priority processing; I-526E was approved and the family moved to visa or adjustment stages.
Background and why rural
The principal had run a business in Hong Kong for years and wanted U.S. status and education options for the children. After comparing unreserved and set-aside options, they chose rural TEA: $800,000 minimum, set-aside numbers Current for Hong Kong (worldwide quota), and statutory priority processing—controlling cost and wait uncertainty. See US EB-5 Investor Immigration.
How source of funds was prepared
Counsel built a source-and-path timeline: company financials and dividend documents, profits-tax records, sale contract and bank credits, and wires to U.S. escrow—aligned so no large deposit was unexplained. Subscription, escrow and legal opinions were finished together to limit RFEs.
Outcome and what to copy
After I-526E approval, the family used adjustment of status or consular processing depending on location. Copy this order: confirm funds are documentable → lock a rural project → set the filing window (including government-fee timing). Children 18+ should get a CSPA assessment at the same time.
Case snapshot
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Hong Kong |
| Project | Rural TEA set-aside |
| Investment | $800,000 |
| Funds | Company dividends + property sale |
| Result | I-526E approved |
| Strategy | Set-aside Current + complete file |
Global Immigrate’s recommendation
Hong Kong applicants do not face the long mainland China unreserved backlog, but ignoring set-asides or weak funds files still causes delay or RFEs. Order: funds feasibility → rural due diligence → fee and postmark timing → filing. Choosing the right category and completing documents once matters more than the cheapest headline project.
Data current as of October 2026. General information only; not legal advice. Individual results vary.