Fees Reduction for Foreign Investors and More: New Reforms in EB-5 Visa?

In a fresh update, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new regulation to decrease the EB-5 filing cost, along with providing a clear technical explanation to simplify the program.

The proposed modifications are comprised of a fourteen percent decrease in the petition fees for Forms I-526 and I-526E, a 17% drop in the Form I-829, and a new technological fee.

To fully grasp the modifications, you need to understand the EB-5 visa in context. As a leading EB-1A green card consultancy, we stay updated on all the latest developments in the U.S. visa landscape. As always, here is our detailed take on the latest EB-5 update.

What do you need to know about the EB-5 visa?

Around 10,000 visas are released every year under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. These visas are granted to foreign nationals and their families who commit a fund of at least $1.05 million or $800,000 in a specified employment region in a US company, which is equivalent to generating at least 10 full-time jobs. The idea of the specific employment region in this visa category is defined by the trio of high employment rates, rural communities, and specific infrastructure projects. The most fascinating aspect about the EB-5 investment is that it gives the investor and their immediate family a direct route to permanent residency or a green card.

What could be changing in the EB-5 visa with the new rule?

According to the new rule, the fee charged by the USCIS for the EB-5 visa will be altered and adjusted. DHS has revealed this update to the press and all the available newsletters. The proposal also includes creating a new Form I-527 for the investors whose Regional Center was previously prohibited or dismissed. This would particularly apply to those who registered prior to March 2022 and are awaiting decisions since.

What are the new EB-5 proposed fees?

Currently, the I-526 immigration petition for a standalone investor rests at the initial charge of $11,160, including the $95 technology fee. Under the new proposal, the suggested fee is going to be $9,625, which is around 14% less than the current one

The suggested fee for the I-526E Immigrant Petition by the Regional Center Investor would also be reduced by the same amount. This reduction could be seen as a clemency of USCIS in order to make EB-5 more amenable for the international foreign investors.

At GCEB1, we still hold that no other path surpasses the EB-1A green card in terms of flexibility and convenience. Our EB-1A consultancy dedicatedly mentors skilled individuals in arranging and positioning a glamorous and EB-1A-ready profile. Get in touch with us for personalised suggestions and a one-to-one mentorship call.