US EB-5 Visa Fees are set to increase significantly from November 30, 2026, bringing higher application costs for Indians seeking a US green card through investment.
The changes approved by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will affect investors as well as regional centres.
Under the revised fee structure, the Form I-526 fee for individual EB-5 applicants will rise from $3,675 to $7,615. The Form I-526E fee for investors applying through a regional centre will increase from $3,675 to $7,850.
A $75 technology fee will also apply to these initial petitions. Meanwhile, the Form I-829 fee, used to remove conditions from an investor’s green card, will rise from $3,750 to $5,000.
US EB-5 Visa Fees Rise From November
The fee changes will substantially increase the upfront cost for applicants. USCIS has stated that application fees help fund a significant part of the agency’s operations, including application processing, background checks, eligibility verification and fraud prevention.
The revised fees are scheduled to take effect on November 30, 2026. Indian investors planning to use the EB-5 route will therefore need to consider the higher government filing costs when planning their applications.
Regional Center Fees Also Increase
The new fee structure also affects organisations operating as EB-5 regional centres. The fee for regional centre designation through Form I-956 will increase from $17,795 to $44,115.
The fee for Form I-956F will also increase, reaching $42,675 under the revised structure. These changes could add to the costs associated with projects seeking to participate in the EB-5 programme through regional centres.
How the EB-5 Program Works
The EB-5 programme provides a route to permanent US residence for eligible foreign investors who invest in qualifying business projects and meet the programme’s job-creation requirements.
Under the current rules described in the source, the minimum investment is $1.05 million for a general investment. The minimum is $800,000 for a qualifying targeted employment area or infrastructure project.
An EB-5 investment must also result in the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs. Eligible investors can seek green cards for themselves, their spouses and eligible children.
Impact on Indian Investors
Demand for the EB-5 programme among Indian applicants has grown in recent years, while Indian applicants have also faced a backlog that can affect green card waiting times.
The higher filing fees will add to the overall immigration expenses for Indian investors and families considering this route.
However, the fee changes do not alter the investment amounts or job-creation requirements described above, which are governed separately.
