U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has finalized a new fee schedule for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, establishing a middle ground between current costs and the steeper increases previously proposed.
The updated fees take effect on November 30, 2026. With a separate, automatic inflation adjustment to the program’s minimum investment amount set for January 1, 2027, prospective EB-5 applicants face a narrowing window to submit applications under the current fee and investment thresholds.
Here is a breakdown of what these regulatory updates mean for investors and why timing matters.
What Changes on November 30, 2026?
The upcoming fee schedule applies to USCIS administrative filing fees, the processing costs paid directly to the government. Key adjustments include:
Form I-526E (Regional Center Investor Petition): Increases from $3,675 to $7,850.
Form I-526 (Standalone Investor Petition): Increases from $3,675 to $7,615.
Form I-829 (Petition to Remove Conditions): Increases from $3,750 to $5,000.
The rule also increases fees for regional centers obtaining USCIS designation and seeking project approvals (such as Form I-956F and Form I-956), which are slated to rise to over $42,000. You can review the full details and official breakdown of these regulatory updates on
Once this schedule takes effect, these fees will serve as the baseline until the next regulatory review cycle mandated by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA).
Why Are Fees Increasing?
USCIS is funded almost entirely by filing fees rather than taxpayer dollars. According to the agency, the updated fee structure will help clear case backlogs, fund back-end security, conduct mandatory compliance audits, carry out project site visits, and work toward faster processing-time goals.
The upcoming prices follow a temporary "fee holiday" period resulting from previous legal challenges. With proper administrative procedures now fully completed, industry consensus indicates these new fees are built to withstand future court reviews.
What This Means for Prospective EB-5 Investors
These updates reinforce the importance of proactive planning and strategic project selection. Working closely with immigration counsel ensures your documentation is prepared well ahead of these fast-approaching deadlines.
At FirstPathway Partners, we closely monitor USCIS policy developments to help investors navigate regulatory changes and align their immigration and investment strategies.
If you are considering the EB-5 program, contact our team directly at info@firstpathway.com to determine whether filing before the upcoming deadlines aligns with your goals.