Update the US EB-5 visa bulletin for September 2021

On August 13, the U.S. Department of State released the September 2021 Visa Bulletin, the 12th and final Visa Bulletin for the fiscal year 2021.

The priority date of the visa interview for Vietnam under the EB-5 visa bulletin category is marked “C” (current), which means that the application is being processed at the moment. Meanwhile, the EB-5 investment through the regional center is marked “U” (Unauthorized), which means it is not available.

Source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

The priority date for EB-5 visa interview for Vietnamese investors August 2021

Currently, the EB-5 program to immigrate to the US through the Regional Center expired on June 30, 2021, so the program is temporarily suspending visa issuance.

If the U.S. Congress renews the EB-5 regional center program before the end of September 2021, the deadlines for regional center cases will match those for non-regional center cases.

Full-year immigrant visas for the fiscal year 2022 can increase to 290,000 applications

According to information from the US State Department:

• Employment-based immigrant visa for the fiscal year 2021 is 262,288, an increase of 68%
• Employment-based immigrant visa limit for the fiscal year 2020 is 156,253

This dramatic increase is due to:

• Impact of Covid-19 on green card processing in both State Department and USCIS
• Slowing down of family immigrant visa processing since 2020
• Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) guidance regarding the use and limitations of immigrant visas

Based on current processing rates, it is likely that there will be a large number of unused immigrant visas in the fiscal year 2022.

The State Department has also publicly predicted that the Employment-based immigrant visa cap for the fiscal year 2022 will be even higher, possibly at least 290,000 Employment-based immigrant visas, an 11 percent increase from 2021.

USCIS is still working hard to process I-526 and I-829 petitions despite the program’s expiration

USCIS said it is trying to process as many applications as possible in the final weeks of the fiscal year 2021. In addition, USCIS is also actively issuing many priority policies regarding backlog handling, the processing time is prolonged, reducing the complicated request procedures.

Specifically, the data of September 2021 on processing applications is as follows:

Form I-526:

The approval rate reached 85%. I-526 petition processing time (without China): 32- 55.5 months. About 50% of applications are processed within 32 months.

Form I-829:

The approval rate reached 94%. I-829 petition processing time: 32.5 – 63 months. About 50% of applications are processed within 32.5 months.

Along with the program officially returning to the $500,000 mark, the EB-5 US immigration program continues to be considered the safest way to get a US green card, so that children can enjoy top education and investors will be able to participate in the large business market.

Portico & Bridge is an immigration consulting group with many years of experience in US immigration. Our team of more than 50 professionals worldwide is always happy to assist you. Call us now at 0909.898.758.

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