New federal rules will sharply increase fees for the EB-5 immigrant investor program, with some applications rising by more than 100%. The changes do not apply to every Green Card category.
Foreign investors seeking permanent residency in the United States will face significantly higher application fees beginning November 30, 2026, under a new rule finalized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The changes will be implemented by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and primarily affect the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which allows eligible foreign nationals to pursue U.S. permanent residency through qualifying investments in the American economy.
According to the final rule published in the Federal Register, the increases are intended to help cover the cost of administering the program, strengthen fraud-prevention measures and improve processing systems.
Some Application Fees Will More Than Double
The largest increases affect the initial petitions filed by investors.
| Application | Current fee | New fee |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-526 — Standalone investor | $3,675 | $7,615 |
| Form I-526E — Regional center investor, initial petition | $3,675 | $7,850 |
| Form I-829 — Removal of conditions on permanent residency | $3,750 | $5,000 |
| Form I-956 — Initial regional center designation | $17,795 | $44,115 |
| Form I-956F — Approval of an investment project | $17,795 | $42,675 |
*Source: Final DHS rule published in the Federal Register.
The fee for Form I-526, used by standalone investors, will increase by 107%, while the initial Form I-526E petition for regional center investors will rise by approximately 114%.
A new Form I-527 will also carry a $10,330 fee. It is intended for certain legacy investors who must amend an existing petition under specified circumstances.
DHS estimates that the revised fee schedule will affect approximately 16,600 EB-5 filings annually. The department projects a weighted average fee increase of about 70.7% across the affected filings.
What Is the EB-5 Investor Program?
The EB-5 program provides a pathway to U.S. permanent residency for eligible foreign investors who make a qualifying investment and meet the program’s requirements.
The standard minimum investment is $1.05 million. The minimum is reduced to $800,000 for qualifying investments in targeted employment areas and certain infrastructure projects.
Investors must also meet job-creation requirements, generally involving at least 10 qualifying full-time jobs for U.S. workers. Meeting the investment threshold alone does not guarantee a Green Card.
The program includes both direct investments and investments made through designated regional centers, which sponsor qualifying economic development projects.
Why Are the Fees Increasing?
DHS says the revised fees are designed to recover the costs of administering the EB-5 program, support processing operations, strengthen program integrity and improve information technology systems. The rule also incorporates provisions of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.
The increases are not uniform. While several major petition fees are rising substantially, some regional center-related fees will decrease under the new schedule.
When Do the New Fees Take Effect?
The final rule takes effect on November 30, 2026. Applications, petitions and requests postmarked on or after that date must include the new fees.
Importantly, the changes apply to the EB-5 investor program and related filings, not to all Green Card applicants. People applying for permanent residency through family sponsorship, employment categories other than EB-5, or other immigration pathways should not assume these specific increases apply to their cases.
Prospective EB-5 investors should consult the official Federal Register rule and the USCIS fee schedule before submitting an application. Those with pending or planned filings may also wish to consult a qualified immigration attorney about the applicable fees and filing deadlines.
