The United States is set to significantly raise the fees associated with its EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, a pathway for foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the new fee structure, which will become effective on November 30, 2026.
Major Increases for Investor Petitions
Individual investors filing Form I-526, the Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor, will see their fees more than double. The cost will jump from the current $3,675 to $7,615. Similarly, for investors applying through an approved regional center, the initial Form I-526E petition will increase from $3,675 to $7,850.
Both types of applications will also incur an additional $75 technology fee. Regional-centre investors will be required to pay an investor integrity fee as well.
Rising Costs for Regional Centers
Fees for regional centers themselves are experiencing even steeper hikes:
- Form I-956 (Regional Center Designation): The fee will rise from $17,795 to $44,115.
- Form I-956F (Investment Approval): The cost for obtaining approval for a commercial enterprise investment will increase from $17,795 to $42,675.
Conversely, the annual fee for Form I-956G will see a reduction, falling from $3,035 to $2,165.
New and Amended Petition Fees
USCIS is also introducing Form I-527 for certain investors looking to amend older Form I-526 petitions; this new filing will cost $10,330. Furthermore, the fee for Form I-829, used by investors to remove conditions on their permanent resident status, will increase from $3,750 to $5,000.
About the EB-5 Program
The EB-5 program offers a route to a US Green Card for investors who meet specific criteria. This typically involves investing $1.05 million in a qualifying commercial enterprise, or $800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project. A crucial requirement is the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers. The program extends permanent residency benefits to the investor, their spouse, and eligible children.
Why the Fees are Increasing
USCIS stated that these higher fees are necessary because the agency primarily relies on user charges for its funding. The increases are intended to recover the costs associated with application reviews, essential background checks, fraud detection efforts, and overall program oversight.