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US EB-5 Visa Fees to Double from November 30, 2026: New Costs for Investors
The United States is increasing fees for its EB-5 immigrant investor visa programme from November 30, 2026, making the Green Card investment route more expensive for foreign investors, including Indian nationals.
The revised fee structure, finalised by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will more than double some initial application charges. Investors planning to apply should understand the new fees, investment requirements and filing deadlines before proceeding.
The EB-5 visa programme allows eligible foreign investors to seek US permanent residency by investing in a qualifying commercial enterprise and creating jobs for American workers. The programme can also provide a Green Card pathway for eligible spouses and children.
- Effective date: November 30, 2026
- Standalone investor fee: Increases from $3,675 to $7,615
- Regional centre investor fee: Increases from $3,675 to $7,850
- Form I-829 fee: Rises from $3,750 to $5,000
- Minimum investment: Remains $800,000 for qualifying targeted employment area or infrastructure investments, and $1.05 million for other qualifying investments
- Job creation requirement: At least 10 qualifying full-time jobs
- Who is affected: New EB-5 applicants, regional centres and certain investors filing additional petitions.
New EB-5 Visa Fees From November 30, 2026
The updated USCIS fee structure introduces significant changes to several EB-5 immigration forms. Here is a comparison of the existing and revised fees.
| USCIS form | Current fee | New fee |
| Form I-526 – Standalone investor petition | $3,675 | $7,615 |
| Form I-526E – Regional centre investor petition | $3,675 | $7,850 |
| Form I-829 – Remove conditions on permanent residence | $3,750 | $5,000 |
| Form I-956 – Regional centre designation | $17,795 | $44,115 |
| Form I-956F – Investment project application | $17,795 | $42,675 |
| Form I-956G – Annual regional centre statement | $3,035 | $2,165 |
| Form I-527 – Certain amendments to older petitions | Not previously established for this purpose | $10,330 |
Note: These are government filing fees, not the total cost of an EB-5 investment. Check the official USCIS fee schedule before submitting an application.
What is the US EB-5 Investor Visa?
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme was established by the US Congress in 1990 to encourage foreign investment and create jobs in the United States.
Eligible investors can pursue permanent residency by investing the required capital in a qualifying business and meeting the programme’s employment requirements.
There are two common investment routes:
1. Standalone EB-5 Investment
Investors can invest directly in a qualifying commercial enterprise. They must meet the applicable investment threshold, satisfy source-of-funds requirements and demonstrate that the investment creates at least 10 qualifying full-time jobs.
2. Regional Centre Investment
Investors can invest through a USCIS-designated regional centre. Depending on the project structure and eligibility, this route may allow qualifying indirect job creation to count towards the programme’s employment requirements.
Regional centre investors should carefully review project documentation, investment risks and the applicable USCIS fees before making a financial commitment.
What is the Minimum EB-5 Investment Amount in 2026?
The new filing fees do not change the underlying investment thresholds described in the current programme rules.
| Investment category | Minimum investment |
| Qualifying targeted employment area (TEA) or eligible infrastructure project | $800,000 |
| Other qualifying commercial enterprise | $1.05 million |
Applicants must also satisfy the job creation, lawful source-of-funds and other eligibility requirements. The investment amount is separate from government filing fees, legal fees and any project-related expenses.
How will the New EB-5 Fees Affect Indian Investors?
The fee increase is particularly important for Indian nationals considering a US Green Card through investment.
For standalone investors, the initial Form I-526 fee will increase by $3,940. For investors applying through a regional centre, the Form I-526E fee will increase by $4,175, before the additional technology fee and any applicable integrity fee.
These higher charges may require applicants to revise their immigration budgets and consider the timing of their applications.
However, paying the existing fee before the deadline should not be treated as a guarantee of approval, faster processing or immediate permanent residency. Applicants must comply with all applicable filing rules and visa availability requirements.
Indian nationals should also consider country-specific visa limits and potential backlogs when evaluating the EB-5 route.
Why US Increasing EB-5 Visa Fees?
USCIS says its fees help cover the cost of administering the immigration system. This includes reviewing applications, conducting background checks, verifying eligibility, detecting fraud and maintaining programme operations.
The revised EB-5 fee schedule is intended to better reflect the cost of administering the investor visa programme and related oversight requirements.
For investors, the practical result is a higher upfront government filing cost, particularly for those beginning the application process or operating through regional centres.
What Should EB-5 Applicants do Before November 30?
Investors planning to apply should take the following steps:
1. Review the new fee schedule: Identify the correct USCIS form and applicable filing fee for your investment route.
2. Check the filing deadline: The revised fees apply to applications, petitions and requests postmarked on or after November 30, 2026.
3. Prepare financial documents: Organise evidence showing the lawful source and path of investment funds.
4. Review the investment project: Understand the business structure, job creation plan, financial risks and regional centre documentation, where applicable.
5. Consult an immigration professional: Confirm the correct filing procedure, eligibility requirements and any applicable visa availability restrictions.
6. Verify the official requirements: Check the latest instructions and fees on the USCIS website before submitting your petition.
Applicants should not rush into an investment solely to avoid a fee increase. The suitability of a project, financial risk and long-term immigration plans deserve careful consideration.
FAQ’s
1. When will US EB-5 visa fees increase?
- The revised EB-5 visa fee schedule will take effect on November 30, 2026.
2. How much will the EB-5 visa application fee increase?
- The Form I-526 fee for standalone investors will increase from $3,675 to $7,615. The Form I-526E fee for regional centre investors will rise from $3,675 to $7,850.
3. Has the minimum EB-5 investment amount increased?
- No. The reported fee revision does not change the minimum investment thresholds of $800,000 for qualifying TEA or infrastructure investments and $1.05 million for other qualifying investments.
4. Can Indian nationals apply for an EB-5 visa?
- Yes. Indian nationals can apply if they meet the programme’s eligibility, investment, job creation and other requirements. Visa availability and country-specific limits may affect the timeline.
5. Does an EB-5 investment guarantee a US Green Card?
- No. Meeting the investment threshold and paying the application fees do not guarantee approval. Applicants must satisfy all applicable requirements, and visa availability can affect the process.
6. Where can applicants check the latest EB-5 visa fees?
- Applicants should consult the official USCIS website and its current fee schedule for the latest filing instructions and charges.
Final Takeaway
The US EB-5 visa fee increase from November 30, 2026, will raise the cost of applying for permanent residency through investment. Standalone and regional centre investors should review the revised charges, prepare their documentation and confirm the correct filing requirements before submitting an application.
For Indian investors, the key is to weigh the additional government fees against investment risks, processing timelines and long-term immigration goals before making a decision.