Green Card Costs Surge: US Finalises Major Fee Increases for EB-5 Investors - Check New Fees Here
USCIS finalised a rule more than doubling EB-5 investor visa fees starting November 30, to cover operational costs, background checks, and fraud detection. Charges imposed on regional centers face even steeper climbs. The filing fee for an initial Form I-956 application seeking regional-center designation will jump from USD 17,795 to USD 44,115. Scroll below to know more.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has finalised a major rule that will significantly increase filing fees for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme, raising costs for international investors and families seeking permanent residency. The sweeping fee adjustments, which take effect on November 30, impact both standalone applicants and regional center participants, adding substantial financial requirements to a pathway frequently utilised by Indian entrepreneurs and investors, reports USCIS.
Key Fee Adjustments for Investors
Under the final rule, baseline filing fees across major investor petitions will more than double.
- Form I-526 (Standalone Investor Petition): Increases from USD 3,675 to USD 7,615.
- Form I-526E (Regional Center Investor Petition): Initial filings rise from USD 3,675 to USD 7,850.
- Form I-829 (Removal of Conditions on Permanent Residence): Climbs from USD 3,750 to USD 5,000.
Additionally, initial I-526 and I-526E petitions will incorporate a new USD 75 technology fee, alongside mandatory investor integrity fund contributions. How Biometric Scans and Flight Manifests Exposed 2 Chinese Nationals Using Stolen US Passports.
Sharp Increases for Regional Centers
Charges imposed on regional centers face even steeper climbs. The filing fee for an initial Form I-956 application seeking regional-center designation will jump from USD 17,795 to USD 44,115. Similarly, the fee for Form I-956F, used to secure approval for investments in commercial enterprises, will increase from USD 17,795 to USD 42,675. Defending the broad restructuring, USCIS emphasized that the agency is funded primarily through user fees rather than tax revenue. In an official press release, the agency noted: “This means the cost of reviewing applications, conducting background checks, verifying eligibility, detecting fraud, and maintaining programme operations must be paid by those who use the immigration system.” What Is White House Accord on Superintelligence That Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Others Signed?
Background and Impact on Backlogs
Established by the U.S. Congress in 1990, the EB-5 programme grants green cards to foreign nationals who invest a minimum of USD 1.05 million (or USD 800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas or infrastructure projects) and create at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers. While the pathway remains attractive, employment-based categories are subject to strict annual country caps. Surging demand over the past decade - particularly from Indian applicants - has generated considerable backlogs, leaving prospective investors facing extended wait times alongside these newly finalised fee hikes.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 09:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
