The United States will increase several EB-5 immigration filing fees starting November 30, 2026. The revised fee structure will raise costs for Indian investors seeking a US Green Card through investment. Filing fees for regional center investors will increase by approximately 114%, while standalone investors will face a 107% hike. However, the minimum EB-5 investment requirements will remain unchanged under this fee rule.

US EB-5 Visa Fees Increase

USCIS has finalized a rule increasing filing fees for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. The changes will affect foreign investors, including Indians who plan to apply for US permanent residency through investment. The new fee structure will apply to several immigration forms, including Form I-526E for regional center investors, Form I-526 for standalone investors, and Form I-829 for removing conditions on permanent resident status.

Petitions postmarked on or after November 30, 2026, must include the applicable updated fees.

US EB-5 Visa Fees 2026

The US EB-5 visa fee increase in 2026 will significantly raise government filing costs for investors. The following table compares the current fees with the new charges that will take effect on November 30, 2026.

The $1,100 EB-5 Integrity Fund fee is a separate charge payable in addition to the initial Form I-526E filing fee. It does not apply to standalone investors filing Form I-526. The new Form I-526 and I-526E filing fees also incorporate a $75 technology fee.

How Will the EB-5 Visa Fee Increase Affect Indian Investors?

The revised EB-5 visa fees for Indian investors will increase the overall cost of applying for US permanent residency through investment.

The rupee conversions are based on the October 21, 2026, exchange rate of ₹94.39 per US dollar. Actual costs in Indian rupees may vary depending on exchange rates and bank charges. Investors should also remember that these government charges do not include legal fees, project administration costs, or other expenses related to the EB-5 application process.

Indian investors choosing the regional center route will pay $8,950 in combined initial filing and Integrity Fund fees, up from $4,675. This represents an increase of approximately ₹4.04 lakh at the October 21 exchange rate. These combined fees cover the initial Form I-526E petition and the separate Integrity Fund fee.

Standalone investors will pay $7,615 instead of $3,675, an increase of around ₹3.72 lakh. These higher costs will add to the financial commitment required for the EB-5 program.

What Is the US EB-5 Visa Program?

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows eligible foreign investors to seek permanent residency in the United States by investing in a qualifying American business. Under the program, investors must place the required amount of capital into an eligible US business. The investment must generally result in the creation of at least 10 qualifying full-time jobs.

Eligible investors can apply for a US Green Card through the program. Their spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 may also qualify for immigration benefits. However, investing money does not automatically guarantee permanent residency. Applicants must meet the program’s financial, job-creation, and immigration requirements.

For petitions filed under the applicable 2026 rules, the minimum EB-5 investment is $800,000 for qualifying projects in targeted employment areas or eligible infrastructure projects. Other qualifying investments require at least $1,050,000. The amounts given are separate from USCIS application fees and will not change under the November 30 fee rule.

However, a separate inflation adjustment is scheduled for January 1, 2027. Under the scheduled adjustment, the minimum investment amounts are expected to increase to $937,500 for qualifying projects and $1.25 million for other qualifying investments. Investors planning to file in 2027 should verify the applicable thresholds before committing funds.

Why Is USCIS Increasing EB-5 Visa Application Fees?

The US Department of Homeland Security said the revised fees will help cover the cost of managing the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. USCIS relies heavily on application fees to fund its operations. The agency uses these funds to review petitions, verify eligibility, and maintain immigration services.

The additional revenue is intended to support several activities, including:

• Processing EB-5 immigration petitions
• Conducting background and compliance checks
• Reviewing investment projects
• Carrying out audits and site visits
• Improving technology and administrative systems
• Strengthening program oversight and fraud prevention

The updated fee structure also increases the EB-5 Integrity Fund fee associated with Form I-526E from $1,000 to $1,100.

This fee supports measures designed to strengthen oversight and protect the integrity of the investment immigration program.

What Should Indian EB-5 Visa Applicants Know Before November 30?

Indian investors planning to apply for the EB-5 visa should check the new fees and application rules before applying. They should first understand the difference between regional center and standalone investments, as the two pathways have different filing requirements and costs.

Applicants should also plan their budget carefully. Apart from the required investment amount, they need to consider USCIS filing fees, legal fees, and other expenses.

The new EB-5 visa fees will apply to petitions postmarked on or after November 30, 2026. Investors planning to apply before this date must follow all USCIS filing rules, which includes the applicable fee and submission requirements. They should also speak with a qualified US immigration lawyer to understand the process and possible investment risks.

Since the EB-5 program requires a large investment, applicants should check all requirements and costs before making a decision. Investors planning to apply in 2027 should also verify the revised minimum investment thresholds.

The US EB-5 visa fee increase will make the application process more expensive for Indian investors from November 30. While the minimum investment amounts will remain the same under this fee rule, applicants should check the new fees and plan their budget before applying. They should also account for the separate investment-threshold adjustment scheduled for January 1, 2027.

Note: This article is for general information only and does not provide legal, immigration, or investment advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the new US EB-5 visa fees take effect?

The new USCIS EB-5 visa fees will take effect on November 30, 2026. Applications and petitions postmarked on or after this date must include the updated fees. Applicants should check the applicable filing instructions before submission.

What is the EB-5 visa investment requirement for Indians?

For petitions filed under the applicable 2026 rules, Indian investors must invest at least $800,000 in eligible projects located in targeted employment areas or qualifying infrastructure projects. Other eligible investments require at least $1,050,000. A separate inflation adjustment is scheduled for January 1, 2027.

Will the minimum EB-5 investment increase in November 2026?

No. The November 30 fee increase will only affect government filing charges. The minimum investment amounts will remain unchanged under this rule. A separate inflation adjustment is scheduled for January 1, 2027.

Can Indian investors get a US Green Card through the EB-5 program?

Yes. Indian investors can apply for a US Green Card through the EB-5 program if they meet the investment, job-creation, and immigration requirements. However, approval is not guaranteed.

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Key Takeaways:

• The DHS has proposed cutting EB-5 filing fees by up to 17 percent, with the I-526 and I-829 petitions seeing major cost savings for investors.

• A new $95 technology fee will fund USCIS’s shift to digital processing, improving efficiency and transparency in the EB-5 application system.

• The proposal aims to make the EB-5 program more affordable and investor-friendly, while maintaining program integrity and faster adjudication timelines.

The US Department of Homeland Security has announced a significant overhaul of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program fee structure, proposing reductions of up to 17 percent for foreign investors seeking American permanent residency through investment. The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on October 23, 2025, marks a rare policy shift that could save investors and regional centers thousands of dollars per filing.​

An Overview of the EB-5 Program

Through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, the U.S. welcomes global investors. The program issues about 10,000 visas every year. A minimum of $1.05 million must be invested in a venture that creates 10 jobs for U.S. workers. Investments made in targeted employment areas qualify at a reduced level of $800,000. These areas generally include rural regions, localities with high unemployment, or infrastructure-based projects. By meeting the program’s criteria, investors can secure permanent resident status and U.S. green cards for themselves and their families.

Proposed Fee Reductions

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has introduced a proposal to lower EB-5 processing fees and help investors save more. It plans to drop I-526 and I-526E fees from $11,160 to $9,625, offering a 14 percent decrease and $1,535 in savings for each applicant. It also proposes to reduce the I-829 petition fee, which allows investors to remove conditions from their permanent residency, by 17 percent, cutting the cost from $9,525 to $7,860 and saving $1,665 per investor. 

Regional centers that pool EB-5 investments for large projects will experience even steeper cuts, with some fees reduced by as much as 61 percent. The I-956 Regional Center Designation fee will fall from $47,695 to $28,895, while amendment fees will plummet from $47,695 to $18,480. Investment project approval forms will decrease to $29,935, and annual statement fees will drop to $2,740.​ 

New Technology Fee Implementation

Despite the overall fee reductions, DHS is introducing a new $95 technology fee for all EB-5 applications. This fee is designed to modernize the USCIS Immigrant Investor Program Office by transitioning from paper-based processing to electronic filing systems. The technology charge will be included in all petition fees and aims to enhance processing efficiency and improve the overall investor experience.​ 

Additional Program Changes

The proposed regulation creates a new Form I-527 specifically for investors whose Regional Center was prohibited or dismissed, particularly those who filed prior to March 2022 and are awaiting decisions. The rule also codifies fees and penalties associated with the EB-5 Integrity Fund and clarifies requirements for children and spouses of alien investors who are not listed on the primary investor’s Form I-829.​ 

DHS states that the fee adjustments better reflect the actual cost of processing EB-5 applications and align with operational needs under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. The proposal also establishes new processing time goals, aiming to adjudicate most regional center petitions within 240 days and new regional center designations within 180 days.​ 

Impact on Annual Program Volume

The proposed fee schedule would impact approximately 11,260 EB-5 program form filings annually, decreasing overall form fees by about 14.7 percent. This move comes at a time when most other immigration fees are rising, making the EB-5 fee reductions particularly noteworthy for prospective investors. The reductions also followed just 18 months after USCIS implemented massive fee increases of up to 204 percent, making this policy reversal both unexpected and significant for the immigration investment community.​ 

The proposed rule is open for public comment for 60 days following its Federal Register publication. If finalized, the new fee structure could enhance the program’s accessibility and attractiveness to foreign investors while maintaining program integrity through modernized processing systems.​ 

Those pursuing EB-5 investment opportunities can start their journey with convenient India to USA flights available at competitive fares. Booking through Indian Eagle flight deals ensures cost-effective travel while preparing for a new business venture in America.

FAQs 

What is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program?

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows foreign investors to obtain U.S. permanent residency (a green card) by investing in American businesses that create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. 

How much investment is required for the EB-5 visa?

Investors must invest $1.05 million in a standard business or $800,000 if the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), typically rural regions or areas with high unemployment.

How many EB-5 visas are issued each year?

The U.S. government allocates approximately 10,000 EB-5 visas annually for qualified investors and their immediate family members. 

Who can apply for the EB-5 visa?

Any foreign national who can prove a lawful source of investment funds and meets the job creation requirement can apply for the EB-5 program.

What benefits do EB-5 investors and their families receive?

Successful EB-5 applicants receive U.S. green cards, allowing them and their families to live, work, and study anywhere in the United States.

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