Short answer: Set-asides (rural ~20%, high-unemployment ~10%, infrastructure ~2%) are currently Current for most countries; rural also has priority processing; minimum investment is usually $800,000. Unreserved uses the remaining pool at $800,000 (if TEA) or $1,050,000 (non-TEA) and may face cutoffs. In 2026, applicants who want speed and predictability usually choose rural set-aside.
What is the core difference?
Set-asides are visa pools the Reform and Integrity Act reserved for projects that meet rural, high-unemployment or infrastructure definitions. Until those numbers are used, those investors do not compete in the same line as unreserved. Unreserved is the general pool; mainland China- and India-born applicants often face the longest unreserved waits. Hong Kong and Taiwan (worldwide) may also see unreserved cutoffs, but usually still fare better than China/India. See US EB-5 Investor Immigration.
How do the three set-asides compare?
| Type | Share of visas | Minimum | Status (Oct 2026) | Priority processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural | ~20% | $800,000 | Current | Yes |
| High-unemployment | ~10% | $800,000 | Current | Standard |
| Infrastructure | ~2% | $800,000 | Current | Depends |
| Unreserved | Remainder | $800k or $1.05M | Per bulletin | No rural-level priority |
Who still considers unreserved?
Rare cases: a specific unreserved project’s commercial terms, location or sector fit clearly better, and the applicant accepts possible backlog and slower processing. For Hong Kong and Taiwan applicants, while set-asides are Current, unreserved rarely offers a speed advantage—you need another strong reason.
Global Immigrate’s recommendation
Decide whether you need Current numbers + faster I-526E or one unreserved project’s business terms. The former → rural first. The latter → put backlog and timing in a written risk memo. Do not compare only on minimum investment; admin fees, job plans, redeployment and I-829 support matter equally.
Data current as of October 2026. General information only; not legal advice.