USCIS lifts EB-5 investor visa fees more than double, adds $10K penalty for failed projects

In a Federal Register filing, USCIS said it will more than double the cost of the EB-5 investor visa, setting the main application fee at $7,615 instead of $3,675. The increase reflects analysis of workload and feedback after the 2022 EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act, which authorized DHS to review program fees. Average fees will climb about 70%, impacting an estimated 16,600 applicants each year.

USCIS also introduced form I-527, a $10,330 filing for investors whose regional center or project collapses, allowing them to keep their place in line for permanent residency. Critics argue the new charge is punitive, but the agency says it covers adjudication costs and expects few filings. The revised fees become effective on November 30, 2026, and the EB-5 program remains authorized through September 30, 2027, with expectations of further congressional renewal. The changes occur under the Trump administration, which has pursued tighter immigration controls while highlighting the economic benefits of the EB-5 program.