The full cost of EB-5 beyond the investment amount
The minimum investment is only part of the cost. USCIS fees, legal fees, project fees, medical exams, visa costs, and tax and FX costs, and who pays each.
When families ask what EB-5 costs, the answer they usually hear is the investment amount: $800,000 for a Targeted Employment Area project or $1,050,000 for a standard project, as of October 2026. That figure is capital, which is placed at risk in the project. It is not the whole cost of the process. A realistic budget includes several other categories, and the people who bear them differ.
The cost categories
| Category | Typically paid by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Investment capital | Investor | Placed in the project; at risk; the largest item |
| USCIS filing fees | Investor | I-526E or I-526, I-829, and any I-485 and related filings |
| Immigration legal fees | Investor | Fee structures differ widely between firms |
| Project administration or offering fees | Depends on the project structure | May be charged on top of the capital contribution or built into the project |
| Medical examination | Each applicant | Done by an authorized physician; fees vary by location |
| Consular and visa fees | Each applicant | Set by the Department of State; check the current schedule |
| Translation and certification | Investor | Source-of-funds documents often need certified translation |
| Tax, accounting and currency costs | Investor | Bank charges, FX spreads, advice on tax in each jurisdiction |
USCIS fees
As of October 2026, the I-526E filing fee is $3,675. USCIS has announced an increase to $7,850 effective November 30, 2026. The I-829 petition to remove conditions is currently $3,750, scheduled to rise to $5,000. Fees apply per petition, and a family that also files green card applications for a spouse and children will face additional filing fees. Because fee schedules change, check uscis.gov at the time of filing rather than relying on any article, including this one.
Legal fees
Legal fees are the most variable item. Some firms quote a flat fee for the petition and others split it by stage, and the scope can differ: does it include the source-of-funds work, the I-829 stage, and the consular or adjustment stage? We do not give a range here because the differences are large. Ask any provider for a written scope that states what is and is not included.
Project-level fees
Projects may charge administration, subscription or offering-related fees in addition to the investment itself, or they may be embedded in the project economics. Which fees exist, who pays them, and whether any are refundable if a petition is denied are questions every investor should put to the project directly. Ask for answers in writing and review them with independent counsel. For how to review an offering, see our due diligence guide.
Medical, consular and documentation costs
Each family member immigrating needs a medical exam by an authorized physician, and consular processing carries fees set by the Department of State. Source-of-funds files add costs for translation, certification, bank records and sometimes notarization. Those costs rise with the complexity of your wealth history, which is another reason to start early. See source of funds.
Tax and currency costs
Moving funds across borders involves bank fees and exchange-rate spreads, and the timing of conversion can change your effective cost. Taiwan and mainland China both have limits and reporting rules for outbound remittances, so the route and timing of funds should be planned in advance. You may also need tax advice in your home jurisdiction and in the U.S., since U.S. tax residence can arise after you obtain a green card. We do not provide tax advice; this is a matter for your tax adviser.
Building a realistic budget
- Ask for every fee in writing, with who pays it and when.
- Separate fees paid to the government, to advisers and to the project.
- Add a contingency for delays, since a longer timeline can mean additional filings or document refreshes.
- Remember that all amounts here are as of October 2026 and may change.
Next step
If you want to walk through a budget for your own family, you can request a conversation through our consultation page.
Frequently asked questions
How much are the USCIS filing fees for EB-5?
As of October 2026, the I-526E fee is $3,675 and is scheduled to rise to $7,850 for filings from November 30, 2026. The I-829 fee is $3,750, scheduled to rise to $5,000. Always check the current fee schedule on uscis.gov before filing.
Is the investment amount the total cost of EB-5?
No. The investment is capital you place in the project. Filing fees, legal fees, project-level fees, medical exams, visa costs, and tax and currency costs come on top and vary by case.
Who pays the project administration fees?
It depends on how the project is structured. Some fees are paid by the investor on top of the capital contribution and some are borne at the project level. Ask the project to confirm every fee in writing and read the answers with counsel before subscribing.
Sources
General information only, not legal, tax or investment advice. Rules and figures are as of the publication or update date and may have changed.