DHS Proposes to Decrease EB-5 Green Card Fees in Latest Federal Register
For prospective immigrant investors, filing for an EB-5 Green Card might become more affordable in the near future. On October 23, the Department of Homeland Security proposed several fee reductions for forms used to apply for an EB-5 green card, including the I-526 and I-829 petitions.
| The EB-5 visa, sometimes known as the EB-5 investor visa, is for foreign investors who wish to obtain permanent residency by investing in the U.S. economy. |
Which EB-5 forms may have their prices decreased by DHS?
DHS has proposed lower fees for most EB-5 investor forms, including a 14% drop for the I-526 petition and a 17% decrease for the I-829. Regional center applications would see even steeper price drops, ranging from a 37-61% increase.
However, DHS has also suggested adding new, smaller fees to EB-5 forms that were previously free, as well as a $95 tech fee for the I-526/I-526E petitions.
| ➡️ Important: The listed filing fees here are accurate as of November 2025 and are subject to change. We always recommend checking USCIS’s official Filing Fees page or consulting with your immigration attorney for the most up-to-date information on filing fees. |
Below is a table outlining the proposed EB-5 fee changes in more detail:
| Form | What It’s For | Initial Cost | New Proposed Fee | Percent Change |
| Form I-526/I-526E | Immigrant Petition by Standalone (I-526) or Regional Center (I-526E) Investor | $11,160 | $9,625 | ~14% decrease |
| Form I-829 | Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status | $9,525 | $7,860 | ~17% decrease |
| Form I-956 | Application for Regional Center Designation | $47,695 | $28,895 | ~39% decrease |
| Form I-956 (Amendment) | Application for Regional Center Designation Amendment | $47,695 | $18,480 | ~61% decrease |
| Form I-956F | Application for Approval of an Investment in a Commercial Enterprise | $47,695 | $29,935 | ~37% decrease |
| Form I-956G | Regional Center Annual Statement | $4,470 | $2,740 | ~39% decrease |
| Form I-956H | Bona Fides of Persons Involved with Regional Center Program | $0 | $55 | N/A |
| Form I-956K | Registration for Direct and Third-Party Promoters | $0 | $2,470 | N/A |
| Form I-527 | Amendment to Legacy Form I-526 | N/A | $8,000 | N/A |
Changes to the most commonly used EB-5 forms
Within the EB-5 application process, the most commonly used petitions are Forms I-526, I-829, and I-956. Below, we broke down their use and the proposed fee changes by DHS.
Form I-526: Immigrant Petition for Standalone Investor
The I-526 petition is often one of the first and most important steps in an investor’s immigration journey. With it, foreign nationals can outline their new commercial enterprise, job-creation plan, and source of funding to USCIS.
Right now, it costs $11,160 to file or amend Form I-526 for the first time. Under DHS’s latest proposal, the fee would drop to $9,625, a 14% decrease in the overall cost.
| Did you know? Unlike other government agencies, USCIS is funded entirely by filing fees. This is why applications can still be processed even during a government shutdown. |
Form I-829: Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status
When an immigrant investor first obtains permanent residency in the U.S., they first obtain a conditional two-year green card. Before that probationary period ends, EB-5 participants file an I-829 petition to prove they’ve sustained their new commercial enterprises and created at least ten new full-time positions in the U.S. job market.
It costs $9,525 to submit Form I-829. If DHS’s proposal is approved, the price would drop to $7,860 — a 17% decrease from its initial cost.
Form I-956: Application for Regional Center Designation
This petition received the most drastic cost proposals from DHS. Organizations that wish to sponsor EB-5 investors use this petition to set up a Regional Center designation with USCIS. Without it, business entities cannot be authorized to become financial benefactors in the enterprises of prospective EB-5 participants.
The initial cost to submit an I-956 petition is currently $47,695. DHS’s proposed ruling states that the cost should be reduced to $28,895. Amendments would become even cheaper if the proposal passes, dropping by 61% from $47,695 to $18,480. The derivative forms I-956F and I-956G have also received proposed cuts.
Under DHS’s proposal, will applying for the EB-5 Green Card cost more?
Right now, DHS is proposing new prices for Form I-956H and I-956K. The former is used to conduct background checks on sponsors, while the latter registers EB-5 promoters. Under the proposed new policy, these forms would cost $55 and $2,470, respectively.
In addition, the federal agency has also requested a small $95 technology fee to be added to both Form I-526 and I-526E. The money raised through this will cover maintenance and upgrade costs for USCIS’s IT systems.
If DHS’s proposal gets approved, USCIS will also implement the new Form I-527 for immigrant investors who filed their initial petitions prior to the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act. After former President Biden signed this bill in March 2022, USCIS removed several regional centers from the EB-5 investor program. The I-527 petition allows immigrants who’ve filed before the Reform and Integrity Act took place and lost their regional centers to amend their applications. This will cost $8,000.
What should prospective EB-5 investors do in lieu of these fee changes?
Right now, DHS’s fee proposals are open for public comment until December 22, 2025. Until the agency files official changes in the Federal Register, further amendments to EB-5’s associated fees may still be made. Therefore, immigrant investors should not anticipate filing fee changes before December 22, if not later.
If implemented, EB-5 applications could see significant savings on initial applications and requests for a non-conditional green card. Sponsors may also experience smaller fees when establishing relationships with regional centers.
Interested in becoming an EB-5 investor? Our team of experienced immigration lawyers can guide you through what it takes to satisfy USCIS’ requirements. Request a consultation with one of our attorneys to find out more.
