If the consulate delays my visa, will I lose my I-526 approval?

No. A consulate delay in scheduling or conducting the interview does not, on its own, automatically cause you to lose your I-526 approval. That approval recognizes that your investment meets the EB-5 criteria, and a delay at the consular stage does not erase that recognition.

What may happen is that visa issuance takes longer than expected. That is frustrating, but it is different from losing your approved petition simply because the consulate delayed processing.

Even so, it is worth monitoring your case closely. Progress toward the green card depends on factors such as visa availability and your individual situation, and leaving the process unattended for an extended period may require adjustments. There is no single universal deadline that applies to every case.

For that reason, keep your documents up to date, follow official communications, and confirm what applies to your specific case through the official source (USCIS), ideally with the support of a specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.