EB5 United has evolved into a global financial services firm providing both EB-5 and Private Equity investment opportunities. Acting as a fiduciary, we utilize our due diligence processes earned through various market cycles to navigate appropriate deal structures and provide global mobility for our clientele and their capital.
EB‑5 Visa Cost and Fee Structure in 2026
The EB-5 Program is a U.S. immigration initiative that allows foreign investors to obtain a Green Card by making a qualifying EB‑5 capital investment in a U.S. business that creates at least 10 jobs per investor. Understanding the full EB‑5 visa cost means looking beyond the principal investment to the Regional Center administrative fees, immigration attorney fees, and USCIS filing fees investors also cover.
Quick Cost Snapshot
Current 2026 Figures
$800K
Rural TEA Minimum
$1.05M
Non‑TEA Minimum
$80K
Regional Center Admin Fee
$25K–$35K
EB‑5 Attorney’s Fee
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Minimum Investment Cost
Minimum EB‑5 Investment Cost for 2026
The minimum qualifying amount for an EB-5 investment depends on the Project's location. A Project located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) qualifies for a reduced $800,000 minimum.
Outside a TEA, investors must contribute $1,050,000 to secure a Green Card.*
Rural Advantage
Targeted Employment Area (TEA)
$800K
Rural or High Unemployment Area
Reduced minimum. Set-Aside Visa eligibility. Priority USCIS Processing.
Outside a TEA
$1.05M
Non‑TEA Project
$250,000 more than a Rural TEA Project. No set-aside visa category.
| Project Location | Minimum EB‑5 Investment |
|---|---|
| Targeted Employment Area (TEA), Rural or High Unemployment Area | $800,000 |
| Outside a Targeted Employment Area (Non‑TEA) | $1,050,000 |
As of July 2026. Currency conversions are approximate and fluctuate with exchange rates.
Interactive Tool
EB‑5 Investment Cost Calculator
Adjust the Project type, filing location, and attorney fee to see your estimated total EB‑5 visa cost.
Project Type
Investor Filing Location
Includes Form I-485, Adjustment of Status: $1,440
Immigration Attorney Fee
Typical range: $25,000–$35,000, paid in stages and negotiated directly with the attorney.
Rural Advantage
$250,000 Less
Compared to non‑TEA EB‑5 Projects
Minimum Investment$800,000
Regional Center Admin Fee$80,000
Immigration Attorney Fee$25,000
Form I‑526E + Integrity Fund Fee$4,675
Form I‑485, Adjustment of Status$1,440
Form I‑829 (paid ~2 years later)$3,750
Total Investment Required
$914,865
Converted at approximate exchange rates, which can change; USD is the offering currency of record.
EB‑5 Visa Cost & Additional Costs
EB‑5 Visa Cost: What Each Petition Means
The EB-5 Visa Cost includes several USCIS fees and additional costs. Click any one below to see what it means and what it costs.
EB‑5 Fee Charged by USCIS
| # | Fee | USD ($) | INR (₹) | MXN ($) | BRL (R$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Filing Form I‑526E fee | Immigrant Petition | $3,675 + $1,000 RIA Fee | INR 3.48 Lac + INR 94.75 K RIA Fee | MX$ 64,424 + MX$ 17,530 RIA Fee | R$ 19,037 + R$ 5,180 RIA Fee |
| 2 | Filing Form I‑485 fee | Adjustment of Status | $1,440 | INR 1.36 Lac | MX$ 25,243 | R$ 7,459 |
| 3 | Filing Form I‑829 fee | Removal of Conditions on Status | $3,750 | INR 3.55 Lac | MX$ 65,738 | R$ 19,425 |
| 4 | Filing Form DS‑260 fee | For investors outside U.S. | $325 | INR 30.79 K | MX$ 5,697 | R$ 1,684 |
Additional EB‑5 Costs
| # | Cost | USD ($) | INR (₹) | MXN ($) | BRL (R$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Regional Center Admin Fee | $80,000 | INR 75.80 Lac | MX$ 1,402,400 | R$ 414,400 |
| 2 | EB‑5 Visa Immigration Attorney’s Fee | $25,000–$35,000 | INR 23.69–33.16 Lac | MX$ 438,250–613,550 | R$ 129,500–181,300 |
Note: Above figures as of August 2026. Fees and costs are subject to change. Currency conversions are approximate and fluctuate with exchange rates. Attorney’s fees are typically paid in stages and are negotiated directly with the attorney.
What Each EB‑5 Fee Means
Form I‑526E, Immigrant Petition
This is a one-time fee for filing Form I‑526E: $3,675, plus an additional $1,000 RIA fee for investors filing after October 1, 2022. It's only required for the Primary Applicant.
Key EB‑5 Capital Facts
Six Things Every EB‑5 Investor Should Know About Their Investment
Beyond the dollar figure, every EB-5 capital investment carries structural requirements. Here are six key aspects every investor must know before committing their EB-5 capital:
Every investment must be "at risk"
Every investment is required to be an "At-Risk" investment in a U.S. commercial enterprise.
There can be no guarantee on the return of capital invested as it would disqualify the investor from obtaining a permanent Green Card.
This does not imply that the EB-5 investment must be unnecessarily risky. At EB5 United, our philosophy revolves around being a Fiduciary for our investors. We prefer using a first position loan structure along with high-equity from well-capitalized developers that is subordinate to the EB-5 Loan to ensure security for our investors.
Rural TEA Advantage
Reduced EB‑5 Investment in Rural Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs)
Investing in a Rural TEA Project lowers your EB-5 Investment Cost and carries four structural advantages over a Non-TEA Project.
Reduced EB‑5 Investment
Investors become eligible for a lower $800,000 investment threshold, compared to $1,050,000 for Non-TEA Projects.
EB‑5 Set-Aside Visa Qualification
Investors become eligible for Set-Aside Visas reserved for TEA-designated Projects, allowing Chinese, Indian, and Vietnamese investors to bypass the general backlog.
EB‑5 Rural Visa Allocation
For FY2026, the U.S. Department of State has published 13,206 total EB-5 visas, with approximately 2,641 (20%) newly reserved for Rural TEA Projects and 1,321 (10%) for Urban High Unemployment Area Projects. An additional 3,408 unused Reserved visas from FY2025 have carried over into these same categories for FY2026, per the May 2026 IIUSA announcement.
EB‑5 Priority Processing
Priority Processing is available only to Rural EB-5 Projects, averaging approximately 9.6 months to I-526E adjudication once the Project's I-956F is approved.
EB‑5 Cost FAQs
EB‑5 Cost FAQs
Common questions about EB‑5 visa cost, EB‑5 capital requirements, and how investor funds are repaid.
Can EB-5 investors receive their capital back?
The goal of a typical EB-5 investor is to obtain a Green Card and receive their investment principal back. Well-structured EB-5 offerings have a structured exit strategy in which investors are repaid in full, plus interest. The capital must remain invested, or at risk, until the investor completes Conditional Residency; if it does not, the Green Card will not become permanent. Being at risk does not mean the investment needs to be inherently risky. EB5 United structures every deal with two objectives: reduce investment risk as much as possible, and create well over 10 jobs per investor to help each investor obtain a Green Card.
What sources of funds can be used to make the EB-5 Investment?
Proper documentation showing the source of funds for the entire investment and administrative fee is critical. Funds can come from anywhere in the world, including the U.S., as long as they are legally sourced and the paper trail can be traced to its origin. Funds may include gifts, inheritance, property sale, loan against property, unsecured loans, accumulation of salary, earnings from business ownership, or proceeds from the sale or mortgage of real estate.
When will I get my EB-5 Investment money back?
Timing depends on the specifics of the Project and its success. Business plans typically outline an exit strategy allowing investors to potentially receive their principal back with interest, though repayment is subject to Project performance, economic conditions, and the terms of the investment. Investors generally anticipate repayment within a three-to-seven-year period. The investment must remain at risk per program rules, and repayment is never guaranteed. Consulting the Regional Center or Project manager overseeing the investment is advisable for current information.
How does the EB-5 Repayment Process work?
When investing in an EB-5 Project, the method of repayment depends on the agreement between the Project Developer and the NCE (New Commercial Enterprise or “EB-5 Fund”). When it comes to repayment, the Developer will typically use cash profits, unit sales, a sale of a portion or all of the Project, or a refinance of a portion or all of the Project. Often times the Developer has the flexibility of using multiple of these options or a combination of them to repay the EB-5 Investors. The repayment is paid to the NCE and then distributed back to the EB-5 Investors.
Choosing an NCE Manager that is separate from the Developer is a crucial step to avoid conflicts of interest. In situations where the Developer defaults on the loan, having an independent NCE Manager becomes particularly valuable. In such cases, the NCE Manager can intervene and take control of the Project, ensuring the protection of EB-5 Investors whose financial interests align with theirs.
Is it necessary to hire an EB-5 immigration attorney to make my EB-5 investment?
Yes. Given the complexity of EB-5 law, engaging an experienced immigration attorney is necessary for any EB5 United investor. Experienced attorneys provide crucial guidance, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and addressing potential challenges. They complete the Source of Funds (SOF) Documentation, review Project documents from an immigration standpoint, and prepare United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) immigration petitions for investors throughout the EB-5 process.
What's the process of making an EB-5 Investment?
When making an investment into an EB-5 Project the first thing you must do before you can make that investment is hire a U.S. immigration attorney. He/she will source all of your funds for your investment to make sure they were lawfully obtained. Once you've put together your source of funds, you'll make the investment into the Project of your choice and your attorney will file what is called an I-526E Petition. If you're in U.S. already with a valid Visa when you file your I-526E Petition, you can utilize what is called Concurrent Filing, which will allow you to obtain a work authorization and travel permit within a few months after you file your petition.
What are the risks involved in an EB-5 investment?
EB-5 investments, while offering a pathway to a U.S. Green Card, come with inherent risks, including potential capital loss due to Project challenges and immigration risk tied to program criteria. Success relies on factors beyond an investor's control, which is why thorough research and understanding of investment terms matters. Financial risk is notable because invested capital must stay at risk without a guaranteed return, and immigration success depends on I-526E approval and documented proof of job creation for the I-829. Careful research and professional guidance are essential.
EB-5 for F-1 & H-1B Visa Holders
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