[HOT] Current CSC processing times of EB-5 related applications

The EB-5 related applications that are reviewed and adjudicated by California Service Center are: I-526, I-485 and I-829 applications. The below estimates of the "current" processing times is the best estimates for the above types of applications. It should be noted that although CSC publishes monthly processing times reports, the processing times for EB-5 cases are not divided into regular or Regional Center cases.

Processing times for actual cases filed

I-526 petition:

Jan. 25, 2010: I-526 petition for a regional center based I-526 petition sent to CSC.

Feb. 10, 2010: I-526 receipt notice with Notice Date of January 27, 2010 received.

I-829 petition:

Feb. 16, 2010: I-829 petition for a regional center based I-829 petition sent to CSC.

Feb 25, 2010: I-829 receipt notice with Notice Date of Feb. 28, 2010 received.

Latest CSC processing times report posted as of September 2009

* Note where RFE is issued, it will usually add around 2 months to the stated processing time.

Undermining the accuracy of the USCIS processing times report is that they do not distinguish between the processing times of regular, direct EB-5 cases and regional center EB-5 cases. In addition, the processing time for I-485 appears to cover all employment-based I-485 applications, and does not focus specifically on I-485 applications based on I-526 approvals. Lastly, CSC often does not appear to be adjudicating cases in chronological order, i.e. First-In, First-Out basis. Although our experiences do not jive with the processing time reports published by CSC, it is only natural that there be some variances in processing times among individual cases. However, there is no doubt in general there has been a significant improvement in the processing times.