EB-5 EAD Validity Cut to 18 Months: What Concurrent Filers Need to Know

What Changed On December 5, 2025, USCIS cut the maximum EAD validity for EB-5 concurrent filers from five years to 18 months. The change applies to all I-765 applications connected to a pending I-485 where the underlying petition is an I-526E. Under the old policy, one EAD typically covered the entire wait. Average I-526E processing runs 18 to 36 months; add I-485 adjudication time, and most cases still fell inside a single five year window. One filing, one fee, done. Now that window is 18 months. Total processing from I-526E to I-485 approval routinely exceeds three years, so most concurrent filers will renew at least once. Many will renew twice or more before getting their green card. See current timelines on the EB5Status processing times dashboard. This is not a proposed rule. It took effect immediately and applies to all new I-765 filings as well as pending applications not...#