Is there an annual cap on EB-5 visas?

Yes. Under U.S. law, the EB-5 program has an annual cap on the number of visas available. Because the program grants a green card through investment that creates jobs, the law sets a limit on how many people can receive this visa each year.

An important detail is that this cap does not count only the principal investor: the spouse and children included in the petition also occupy slots within the same annual limit. As a result, the number of investors actually admitted each year may be lower than the total visa count might suggest.

In years of high demand, visas can run out, creating greater competition and, at times, the need to wait for new slots to open. Applicants from countries with a history of strong demand may face additional wait times and variations in processing.

Because these numbers and backlogs change periodically, confirm current limits at the official source (USCIS and the State Department’s Visa Bulletin) and consider guidance from an immigration professional to understand how this affects your case.

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.