Data Update Schedule and Freshness Commitments

The following table shows how frequently each data source publishes new information, and the maximum time between publication and our update on EB5Status.

SLA times are measured from the moment the source publishes new data. For the Visa Bulletin and Federal Register, where publication is time-sensitive, we prioritize faster turnaround. For quarterly statistics and FOIA data, the slightly longer SLA reflects the additional verification work required for large datasets.

Every data page on EB5Status displays a freshness indicator that communicates how recently the data was updated. These indicators use a simple three-state system:

Freshness indicators are calculated automatically based on the capture date recorded for each data point. They update in real time as new data is ingested.

When data exceeds its expected freshness window, we display a staleness alert directly on the affected page. Staleness thresholds are set per source:

Staleness alerts are informational, not punitive. They tell readers: “This data is older than usual, and here is why.” We never remove data because it is stale; we add context so readers can evaluate it appropriately.

Government agencies occasionally delay publications. When a source we track does not publish on its expected schedule, we take the following steps:

1. 1.Note the delay. We add a notice to the relevant data page explaining that the expected update has not yet been published by the source agency. The notice includes the date of our most recent data and the expected publication window.
2. 2.Continue displaying existing data. We never remove or hide data because an update is late. The most recent available data remains on the page with a clear timestamp showing when it was last updated.
3. 3.Monitor actively. We increase our monitoring frequency for the delayed source and capture the update as soon as it becomes available.
4. 4.Do not speculate. We never estimate what a delayed publication might contain. If the visa bulletin is late, we do not publish predicted cutoff dates. We wait for the official publication.

For Gray (Derived) tier data, freshness is determined by the freshness of the underlying inputs. A derived metric is only as fresh as the oldest input used to calculate it. For example:

• •Visa bulletin movement is recalculated each time a new bulletin is captured. Its freshness matches the bulletin freshness.
• •Approval rates are recalculated when new USCIS quarterly statistics are captured. During the quarter, the rate reflects the most recent quarterly data available.
• •Cross-source comparisons (e.g., processing times vs. visa availability) show the freshness of the least recently updated input.

Derived data always displays the date it was last recalculated and the dates of the underlying source data, so readers can assess its currency.

Data Collection Process | How we gather, verify, and publish data from each source.

Trust Tier Definitions | How we assign and display data provenance badges.

Processing Times Methodology | How we track and present USCIS processing time data.

Full Methodology | Our complete data methodology, including confidence labels, calculation descriptions, and non-negotiable rules.