The Cost of Waiting on EB-5 Is About to Get Higher

For U.S. investors eyeing permanent residency via the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, the end of 2026 could bring a sharp rise in costs for those who procrastinate. Currently, the minimum qualifying investment stands at $800,000, but two impending hikes loom on the horizon. First, on November 30, 2026, the filing fee for Form I-526E is set to surge from $3,675 to $7,850, potentially adding over $4,000 in government fees for those who delay filing.

Beyond that, the $800,000 minimum investment is set for its first inflation adjustment at the start of 2027, with projections pegging it at around $937,500. Shai Zamanian, Managing Director of The American Legal Center, warns investors that "EB-5 was once available at $500,000, and that opportunity is gone. Investors now have a limited window to enter at $800,000 before the next increase."

To proceed at the current level, mid-December should be seen as the practical deadline, as delays throughout the year-end holiday period could compound issues. The American Legal Center will host an EB-5 Investor Seminar on October 24, 2026 in Dubai, addressing these imminent cost hikes and offering strategies for investors to prepare before the year ends.