Eb-5 Visa Investment Cost: Guide For Investors

By Author: FRR Immigration
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Pursuing permanent residency in the United States is an important goal, and for many people around the world, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program provides a clear roadmap. Different from other employment-based visas that require sponsorship or specialized skills, the EB-5 visa is based on making a capital investment into a business commercial enterprise in the U.S. that will create employment.
At FRR Immigration, we understand that for potential investors, the first and most critical consideration is the total EB-5 Investment Cost. This is not merely the capital investment, but a composition of required principal, administrative fees, government fees and professional services to help in an effective application process. The guide provides the financial commitment so you are able to more effectively plan your future in America.
The Core EB-5 Investment Cost
The minimum required capital investment for the EB-5 visa program is governed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations and is subject to change based on federal law. The amount is determined by the location of the commercial enterprise ...
... receiving the funds.
1. The Capital Investment Requirement
As of the latest USCIS regulations, the minimum investment is divided into two tiers:
Targeted Employment Area (TEA) Projects: The required EB-5 Investment Cost is $800,000. A TEA is defined as a rural area or an area experiencing an unemployment rate of at least 150% of the national average.
Non-Targeted Employment Area (Non-TEA) Projects: The required investment is $1,050,000.
The vast majority of immigrant investors choose TEA projects because of the substantially lower capital requirement and the priority processing queues established for these investments under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA).
Regarding set-aside visas, The RIA allocates a percentage of the total annual EB-5 visas for all categories: rural investment (20%), high-unemployment investment (10%), and anticipated investment in infrastructure (2%). Set-aside investment, which includes all the criteria for the minimum investment of $800,000, provides a tangible value in terms of the availability of visas and may assist in speeding up the process of applying for an EB-5 Visa.
Project Location
Minimum Capital Investment
Visa Priority
Targeted Employment Area (TEA)
$800,000
Includes set-aside categories with potentially faster processing
Non-Targeted Employment Area (Non-TEA)
$1,050,000
Standard processing queue

Breaking Down the Full EB-5 Visa Investment Costs
The total financial outlay for an EB5 Investment Visa US requires budgeting for several additional components beyond the minimum capital investment.
2. Administrative Fees (Regional Center Fee)
If you choose to invest via the popular Regional Center model, which collects toll from multiple investors and takes care of the complications of job creation, you will have an administrative fee or subscription fee.
Regional Center Administrative Fee: This fee is paid to the Regional Center for the company's overhead expenses associated with projects and to conduct due diligence, marketing, and create reports on economics and business plans.
Typical Fees: The fee is generally between $50,000 and $80,000; however, it can be higher or lower depending on the specific EB5 investment projects. This fee is separate from your actual investment, and it is important to note that it is nonrefundable.
3. Government Filing Fees (USCIS Fees)
These are the non-refundable charges required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at different stages of the process.
Form Name
Description
Approximate Fee (Subject to USCIS change)
I-526E
Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor (initial petition)
$11,160 (plus a $1,000 Integrity Fund Fee)
I-485
Application to Adjust Status (for applicants inside the U.S.)
$1,440 (plus biometrics fee)
DS-260
Immigrant Visa Application (for applicants outside the U.S.)
$345 per person (paid to the Department of State)
I-829
Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions (final step)
$9,525
Immigrant Fee
Paid upon visa approval for green card production
$235 per person

4. Professional and Legal Fees
The complexity of the program justifies hiring professionals as they are critical to ensuring due diligence is performed, compliance is established, and your documentation and filings are correct.
Immigration Attorney Fees: Managing the entire immigration process and all documentation and inquiry from the I-526E through the I-829, and even consular processing or adjustment of status.
Typical Range: $25,000 - $50,000.
Source of Funds Documentation and Business Plan: Preparing the comprehensive documentation to demonstrate the legality of the source of your EB-5 Investment Cost is a significant part of the application process and will typically require an economist or forensic accountant.
The Importance of Due Diligence and Job Creation
A critical requirement of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is the creation or preservation of at least 10 full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers within two years of the conditional permanent residency grant.
Regional Center Projects: Job creation is typically calculated using economic methodologies, making it generally simpler for the investor. The choice of the right EB5 investment projects is paramount to meeting this requirement.
Direct Investment: The New Commercial Enterprise (NCE) must hire 10 qualified W-2 employees directly.
The success of your EB-5 Visa application rests on your decision on a project with a strong and verifiable job creation model (the reason we take project due diligence so seriously); the goal is not just acquiring the initial conditional residency, but filing your I-829 two years later to remove the conditions and make your investment permanent.

Why Partner with FRR Immigration for Your US EB-5 Investors Visa
Recognizing a challenging minimum EB-5 Investment amount, investment project options, and stringent source of funds requirements can be overwhelming and needs professional assistance. The team at FRR Immigration is an industry leader in investment-based immigration and provides a straight-forward, simple, strategic process for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program.
We will work with you to reduce risk and increase the certainty of your visa approval:
Strategic Cost and Project Pairing: We don't just quote the minimum EB-5 Investment Cost; we provide a total breakdown of the amount of money you would be responsible for. We then begin pairing your investment preferences and risk profile to pre-vetted, reliable EB5 investment projects with a history of I-829 approvals.
Robust Source of Funds (SOF) Documentation: The legal source of the invested capital is the number one reason for petition denial. Our internal team collaborates with trained forensic accountants and legal counsel to carefully track and account for every dollar of the EB-5 visa investment costs to develop an audit-proof SOF report that meets the current USCIS standards.
Priority Visa Access Strategy: We prioritize projects that are eligible in set-aside visa categories (rural, high-unemployment), when applicable, to assist clients in navigating the long wait times for visa processing and therefore streamline the timeframe for the EB-5 Visa application process. If you are eligible and are currently in the U.S., we will help you file concurrent (I-526E and I-485) applications.
Comprehensive Legal Compliance Oversight: From your initial filed Form I-526E to your conditional green card, to your I-829 petition for removal of conditions on your green card, we handle all procedural steps. We will ensure compliance with difficult EB-5 program job creation requirements safely and secure and put your mind at ease with the process.
Directly help with your Investor Relations: You will deal with one person who knows your file front to back, which will allow for more continuous, human contact and responses, and you will never need to second guess your US EB5 Investors Visa status.
We transform the complexity of the EB-5 visa investment costs and process into a clear, manageable plan for your family’s future in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the EB-5 Investment Cost
Q1: What is the current minimum capital requirement for the EB-5 visa?
The minimum EB-5 Investment Cost is $800,000 if the project is located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), or $1,050,000 for a Non-TEA project.
Q2: What other fees are involved besides the investment principal?
In addition to the principal, applicants must budget for: Regional Center administrative fees (typically $50,000-$80,000), USCIS filing fees (Form I-526E, I-485/DS-260, I-829), and professional immigration attorney and source of funds documentation fees (typically $25,000-$50,000+).
Q3: Is the administrative fee part of the capital investment?
No. The administrative fee is a separate charge paid to the Regional Center or project developer for management and compliance. It is not counted toward the required minimum capital investment.
Q4: What is the "at-risk" requirement for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program?
The investment must be "at-risk," meaning the funds are subject to the potential for gain or loss and are not guaranteed to be returned. This is a fundamental legal requirement for the EB-5 visa program.
Q5: What is the main benefit of investing in a TEA project?
The main benefits are the lower EB-5 Investment Cost ($800,000 vs. $1,050,000) and the access to "set-aside" visas, which are not subject to the same backlogs as the unreserved visa category, potentially accelerating the green card timeline.
Q6: Can I use borrowed money for the EB-5 investment?
Yes, funds can be borrowed, provided they are not collateralized by the assets of the New Commercial Enterprise itself. The source of the borrowed funds must still be proven to be lawful.
Ready to explore a secure future for your family in the U.S.?
Contact FRR Immigration today for a confidential, one-on-one consultation to discuss the precise total EB-5 Investment Cost and to begin your strategic path to a US EB-5 Investors Visa with confidence.
Schedule Your Consultation Now.