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The cost of the United States EB-5 programme

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program leads to United States permanent residence through a qualifying investment. This page breaks down the main cost components so you can build a realistic budget.

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Reference
Official authorityU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
ProgrammeUnited States EB-5
Information current as ofJune 2026
Official source →

Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.

Reviewed by the Passports for Kings editorial team. Last reviewed 1 June 2026.

The qualifying investment

The largest cost is the investment itself. Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 the qualifying amount is USD 800,000 for a project in a targeted employment area, such as a rural area or one of high unemployment, and USD 1,050,000 for a project outside such an area. The money must be genuinely at risk and must support the required new jobs, so it is an investment rather than a fee, with no guaranteed return. Confirm the current amounts with USCIS.

Government and processing

Federal filing fees apply at each stage. Regional center investors file Form I-526E, which carries a filing fee plus a separate integrity fund fee, and later file Form I-829 to remove conditions. These fees have been the subject of litigation and proposed revision, so confirm the current amounts with USCIS rather than relying on an older figure. Consular or adjustment charges, biometrics and related government costs also apply.

Professional fees

Most investors going through a regional center also pay a project administration or subscription fee, often a five figure sum, on top of the investment. You should also budget for immigration legal fees, securities and project due diligence, and source of funds documentation, which can be substantial because the source of every dollar must be traced. We do not name or rank firms. Use Get Matched below to reach an independent advisor.

Building a realistic budget

Add the qualifying investment, the regional center administration fee, all government filing fees across the stages, and legal and due diligence costs. The investment is the dominant line and is meant to be returned only if the project performs and the rules are met, while the fees are sunk costs. Build your budget from the figures USCIS publishes at the time you file, and keep a margin for a long process.

Cost componentIndicative amountNotes
Qualifying investment, targeted employment areaUSD 800,000At risk, not a fee; current under the 2022 law
Qualifying investment, outside a targeted areaUSD 1,050,000At risk, not a fee; current under the 2022 law
Form I-526E filing and integrity fund feesConfirm current amount with USCISSubject to recent litigation and revision
Form I-829 filing feeConfirm current amount with USCISPaid later to remove conditions
Regional center administration feeOften a five figure sumVaries by project
Legal and due diligenceVariesSource of funds tracing can be substantial

Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.

Common questions

How much do I need to invest for EB-5?

USD 800,000 for a project in a targeted employment area and USD 1,050,000 elsewhere, under the 2022 law. Confirm with USCIS.

What are the government filing fees?

Regional center investors file Form I-526E and later Form I-829, each with a federal fee, and an integrity fund fee applies to regional center petitions. Amounts have changed recently, so confirm the current schedule with USCIS.

Is the investment refundable?

No. The capital must be at risk with no guaranteed return, and it is repaid only if the project performs and the programme rules are met. Verify the current terms before investing.

Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.

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Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.

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