Short answer: From 30 November 2026, EB-5 filings postmarked on or after that date use the new fee schedule. The regional-center I-526E initial fee rises from about $3,675 to $7,850 (including the technology fee), plus an Integrity Fund fee of about $1,100; the I-829 fee rises from about $3,750 to $5,000. Postmarks on or before 29 November still use the lower fees. Investment capital (TEA $800,000 / non-TEA $1,050,000) is unchanged, but government fees increase substantially.
How much do EB-5 government fees actually rise after 30 November 2026?
Under the DHS final rule, the two forms investors use most change the most. I-526E (regional-center investor, initial) moves from $3,675 to $7,850—more than double; I-526 (standalone) rises to about $7,615. I-829 moves from $3,750 to $5,000. Regional-center investors also pay the Integrity Fund fee, rising from $1,000 to about $1,100. At the I-526E stage alone, combined government fees can therefore move from about $4,675 to about $8,950. See US EB-5 Investor Immigration.
How does the postmark date decide which fee applies?
The rule turns on the postmark date, not the date USCIS receives or adjudicates the filing. Cases postmarked (or completed online) on or before 29 November 2026 keep the current lower fees; those on or after 30 November must pay the new amounts. Cases already pending generally do not require a top-up. Filing an incomplete package only to beat the deadline can trigger a Request for Evidence or denial, which often costs more than the fee difference.
Which costs are not changed by this fee rule?
The capital investment itself (minimum $800,000 in a TEA, $1,050,000 outside) is not changed by this rule, though an inflation adjustment is expected from January 2027. Regional-center administrative fees, attorney fees and source-of-funds work remain project- and service-dependent. Larger families increase some later visa or adjustment fees per person; those should be included in the overall budget.
EB-5 government fee comparison (investor side)
| Item | Current (approx.) | From 30 Nov 2026 (approx.) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-526E initial | $3,675 | $7,850 | +about $4,175 |
| Integrity Fund (with I-526E) | $1,000 | $1,100 | +$100 |
| I-526E stage total | about $4,675 | about $8,950 | +about $4,275 |
| I-829 removal of conditions | $3,750 | $5,000 | +$1,250 |
Global Immigrate’s recommendation
If source-of-funds documents, project subscription and counsel review are nearly complete, consider finishing the postmark or online filing by 29 November to lock in the lower fees. If material gaps remain, it is usually better to spend a few more weeks perfecting the package than to file a weak case to save a few thousand dollars. Confirm whether the project is a rural set-aside (priority processing and Current visa numbers) and include administrative fees, legal fees and exchange-rate movement in the total cost. Obtain a written fee list before deciding the filing schedule.
Data current as of October 2026.
This article is general information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice.