US to more than double fees for some EB-5 applications — The Hindu
In the United States, from November 30, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will increase a number of fees for applications under the EB-5 investment immigration program. As The Hindu International reports, USCIS gave final approval to the relevant rule on September 29.
The EB-5 program gives foreign investors and their immediate family members an opportunity to apply for permanent residence in the United States, or a Green Card. To do so, an investor must invest funds in a U.S. commercial enterprise and create at least 10 full-time jobs for workers in the United States.
New fees for investors
The fee for Form I-526 for standalone investors will rise from $3,675 to $7,615. The initial I-526E petition, filed by investors through an approved regional center, will cost $7,850 instead of $3,675. A $75 technology fee will also be added to both types of initial applications.
Investors through regional centers will additionally pay an investor fee for program integrity. The fee for Form I-829 for investors seeking to remove conditions on permanent resident status will increase from $3,750 to $5,000.
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Changes for regional centers
The fee for the initial I-956 application to obtain regional center status will increase from $17,795 to $44,115. Filing Form I-956F for approval of an investment in a commercial enterprise will cost $42,675 instead of $17,795. At the same time, the annual fee for Form I-956G will decrease from $3,035 to $2,165.
The rule also introduces Form I-527 for certain investors who want to make changes to previously filed I-526 petitions. The cost of such a filing will be $10,330. USCIS said it is funded primarily by fees rather than taxes: they cover application processing, inspections, compliance, fraud detection, and program operations.
The U.S. Congress created the EB-5 program in 1990 to stimulate investment and job creation. Applicants must invest $1.05 million in an eligible business or $800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project.
