The White House has given its official endorsement to revised fee regulations for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, clearing one of the final administrative hurdles before the changes are implemented.
According to Bloomberg Law, the Office of Management and Budget has approved the updated EB-5 investor visa fees, following their passage through the White House review process.
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What Is the EB-5 Program?
The EB-5 program is widely considered the fastest path for foreign nationals to obtain a U.S. green card — and eventually U.S. citizenship via naturalization.
To qualify, an investor must commit to either:
- $800,000 in a designated Targeted Employment Area (TEA), or
- $1,050,000 in a non-TEA area
They must also create (or preserve) at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
Most applicants do so via regional centers, which pool investment funds into projects promising economic growth.
The Application Process & Timeline
- File Form I-526 (or I-526E for regional center petitions)
- This is the first step in seeking conditional residency under EB-5.
- Conditional Residency Period
- If approved, the investor receives a two-year conditional permanent residency.
- File Form I-829
- Before the two-year conditional period ends, investors must file I-829 to remove conditions and secure full permanent residency. This step typically takes 22 to 45 months for adjudication.
Also of note: the EB-5 program allows concurrent filing, meaning applicants can file for adjustment of status and gain work authorization without having to leave the U.S.
Fee Changes & Current Costs
Before the new regulation, the filing fee for Form I-526 stood at $11,160. In total, the overall cost of an EB-5 investor visa (depending on where one files) is between $21,130 and $22,225.
With the White House’s approval, these figures are expected to shift — though the article did not specify the exact new amounts.
Program Authority & Demand
The EB-5 visa program is currently authorized through September 30, 2027. Because of this, existing investors enjoy legal protection under current law, and the program cannot be terminated unilaterally without Congressional approval.
Since its last reauthorization in 2022, more than $4 billion has been invested through EB-5 initiatives, and demand from investors for EB-5 visas remains very strong.
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Frequently Asked Questions about White House Approves Changes to EB-5 Investor Visa Fees
Q1: What is the EB-5 investor visa?
It’s a U.S. program that grants green cards to foreign investors who create American jobs.
Q2: What are the current EB-5 investment requirements?
$800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas or $1,050,000 elsewhere, plus 10 jobs created.
Q3: How much does the EB-5 visa process cost now?
Filing fees are around $21,000–$22,000, with new fee hikes approved.
Q4: Why is the White House approval important?
It finalizes fee changes, ensuring the program runs smoothly until September 2027.
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