USCIS increases EB-5 immigrant investor visa fees

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has finalized a significant increase in fees for the EB-5 immigrant investor program, effective November 30, 2026. The changes aim to ensure that application fees cover the operational costs of the program, including background checks, fraud detection, and site visits.

Key fee adjustments include: - Form I-526 (standalone investors): Increasing from $3,675 to $7,615. - Form I-526E (regional center investors): Increasing from $3,675 to $7,850. - Form I-829 (removing residency conditions): Increasing from $3,750 to $5,000. - Regional center designation (Form I-956): Increasing from $17,795 to $44,115. - Form I-956F (investment approval): Increasing to $42,675.

A new Form I-527 has also been introduced for investors whose original projects or regional centers have been terminated, with a filing fee of $10,330. This allows eligible investors to preserve their place in the immigration queue.

The EB-5 program allows foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency by investing in qualifying US enterprises and creating at least 10 full-time jobs. The fee hikes are expected to impact a high volume of applicants, particularly from India, where demand for the program has risen sharply.