US EB-5 Total Costs and Fees 2026: What to Budget Beyond the Investment
Beyond the minimum investment, EB-5 costs include regional-center administrative fees, attorney fees, USCIS filing fees and the Integrity Fund. Some government fees rise from 30 November 2026. This article outlines the main cost items and typical budget ranges.
Short answer: The EB-5 minimum investment is USD 800,000 for TEA projects or USD 1,050,000 for non-TEA projects. Additional costs typically include a regional-center administrative fee, immigration attorney fees, source-of-funds preparation and USCIS filing fees. From 30 November 2026 some government fees increase. Overall budgets should allow for tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand dollars beyond the capital itself.
Capital and administrative fees
The capital contribution is the largest item: USD 800,000 in a TEA (rural or high-unemployment) or USD 1,050,000 outside a TEA. Regional-center projects usually charge an administrative fee that varies by offering, often in the tens of thousands of dollars. Direct investment has no regional-center fee but may involve higher operating and formation costs. See US EB-5 Investor Immigration.
What is changing in government fees?
For filings postmarked on or after 30 November 2026, new fees apply. The initial I-526E (regional center) fee rises to about USD 7,850 (including a technology fee), plus an Integrity Fund fee of about USD 1,100; the I-829 fee rises to about USD 5,000. Earlier postmarks keep the previous schedule. Always confirm the latest official amounts.
Other common expenses
Immigration attorney fees, source-and-path-of-funds work, translations and notarisation, and later I-485 or consular visa fees should all be budgeted. Larger families increase some per-person charges. Total extras depend on case complexity and the chosen project, and commonly fall in a range of tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand dollars.
Main cost items overview
| Item | Typical range / note |
|---|---|
| Capital investment | TEA USD 800,000; non-TEA USD 1,050,000 |
| Regional-center admin fee | Varies by project, often tens of thousands |
| I-526E and related government fees | Rising from 30 Nov 2026 (thousands to near ten thousand) |
| Attorney and document work | Depends on complexity, often tens of thousands |
| Later I-829 and related fees | Additional |
Global Immigrate’s recommendation
Separate the capital from all add-on costs when building a budget, and allow for exchange-rate and contingency items. When comparing projects, look at administrative fees and refund terms as well as the investment threshold. If filing around 30 November 2026, confirm which fee schedule the postmark date will trigger. Obtain a written fee list before making a final decision.
Data current as of October 2026.
This article is general information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the approximate total cost of an EB-5 case?
Beyond the capital, tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand dollars is common, depending on the project, counsel and family size.
Do government fees change after 30 November 2026?
Yes. I-526E, I-829 and related fees increase; the postmark date determines which schedule applies.
Are administrative fees refundable?
In most offerings they are non-refundable or subject to strict conditions after filing; check the subscription documents carefully.
Is direct investment cheaper overall?
There is no regional-center administrative fee, but operating and formation costs may be higher; total spend depends on the case.
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.