US EB-5 immigrant investor program updates

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has finalized significant fee increases for the EB-5 immigrant investor program, effective November 30, 2026. These adjustments are intended to ensure application fees cover operational costs, including background checks, fraud detection, and site visits.

Specific fee changes 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 with a $10,330 filing fee, allowing investors whose original projects or regional centers have been terminated to preserve their place in the immigration queue.

Recent data from Q3 FY2026 indicates strong demand, with 1,665 total cases received and approximately $4.18 billion in EB-5 capital raised during the first three quarters of the fiscal year. India and China remain the primary markets, with nearly equal petition volumes. However, despite high demand, there has been a slowdown in I-526E adjudications; the approval rate fell to 76% in Q3 FY2026 from 94% in FY2025, alongside an increase in denials as pending inventory grows.

Additionally, Integrity Fund fees for fraud investigation and compliance will rise by roughly 10% to account for inflation. While the regional center program is authorized through September 30, 2027, the grandfathering deadline for statutory protection passed on September 30, 2026. The first inflation-based adjustment to minimum investment thresholds is expected on January 1, 2027.