Current EB-5 Investment Amounts
The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA) re-established and indexed investment amounts to inflation. USCIS confirmed these thresholds remain in effect for fiscal year 2025:
$1,050,000 – Standard EB-5 investment (non-TEA)
$800,000 – TEA investment (rural, high unemployment, or infrastructure)
💡 Pro tip: Many investors choose TEA projects, since they not only reduce the required investment but also benefit from priority visa processing under set-aside categories.
Standard vs. TEA Investments
Standard Investment ($1,050,000): Required for projects located outside TEA zones. These investments may be in major metropolitan developments or other areas not designated by USCIS as rural or high-unemployment.
TEA Investment ($800,000): Required for projects in rural areas, high-unemployment regions, or infrastructure projects. These projects also benefit from special visa set-asides:
20% of EB-5 visas are reserved for rural projects
10% are reserved for high-unemployment projects
2% are reserved for infrastructure projects
Learn more about the entire EB-5 process and benefits with our EB-5 Visa Investment Guide
Targeted Employment Areas (Rural & High Unemployment)
A Targeted Employment Area (TEA) allows investors to qualify for the reduced $800,000 investment. USCIS defines TEAs as:
Rural areas: Located outside of a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) and outside cities or towns with a population of 20,000 or more.
High-unemployment areas: Locations where the unemployment rate is at least 150% of the national average.
Why TEAs Matter:
Lower capital threshold ($800,000).
Access to visa set-asides, reducing retrogression risks.
Rural projects often enjoy priority processing, helping investors secure green cards faster.
Example: A luxury resort built in a rural county in California would qualify as a rural TEA. A mixed-use development in an urban census tract with unemployment well above the national average could qualify as a high-unemployment TEA.
⚠️ Important: Once an investor files the I-526E petition with a TEA designation, the reduced amount is locked in, even if the area later loses TEA status.
EB-5 Filing Fees and Additional Costs
Beyond the investment itself, EB-5 investors must plan for substantial additional costs:
EB-5 Filing & Program Fees (USCIS 2025)
I-526E Petition: $11,160
Biometrics Fee: $85
Integrity Fee (regional center projects): $1,000
I-829 Petition to Remove Conditions: $9,525
Adjustment of Status (if applying inside the U.S.)
Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status): $1,440 (new USCIS fee schedule 2024)
Biometrics: included
EAD (Work Permit, Form I-765): $260
Advance Parole (Travel Permit, Form I-131): $630
Note: Many applicants file I-765 + I-131 with I-485 to secure work and travel rights while waiting.
Consular Processing (if applying outside the U.S.)
NVC Immigrant Visa Fee: $345 per person
USCIS Immigrant Fee (green card production): $220 after visa issuance
EB-5 Immigration Attorney Fees
EB-5 immigration attorney fees can range from $20,000–$40,000 depending on the complexity of the investor's source of funds and other documentation.
EB-5 Regional Center Administration Fees
Typically $70,000–$80,000 to cover costs associated with preparing the EB-5 offering, ongoing compliance with USCIS, and Regional Center operating and marketing expenses.
Translation and Document Preparation Costs
Varies by investor’s source of funds documentation as well as the country of origin and language, but can range from $5,000 - $10,000.
Currency Exchange and Wire Transfer Fees
This varies greatly by the country of origin of the funds the EB-5 investor will be using to make the investment. If the investor is transferring funds out of a country with capital controls and/or a currency not widely accepted internationally, these costs could amount up to 1-3% of the total investment amount.
Pro Tip: Inquire with us about how you can use cryptocurrency to move your funds inexpensively from your country of origin to the EB-5 project.
👉 In practice, investors should budget an additional $70,000–$100,000+ beyond the statutory investment to cover these EB-5 expenses in addition to the $800,000 investment amount.
Historical Threshold Changes (RIA 2022, Inflation Adjustments)
1990–2019: $1,000,000 standard / $500,000 TEA.
Nov 2019 (DHS Modernization Rule): $1,800,000 standard / $900,000 TEA.
June 2021: Rule vacated; reverted to $1,000,000 / $500,000.
March 2022 (RIA): $1,050,000 standard / $800,000 TEA (current law).
Next increase: Jan 2027 (CPI-U based adjustment). Read more about the September 30, 2026 EB-5 Grandfathering deadline here.
Key Takeaways
EB-5 requires $800,000–$1,050,000 investment, depending on TEA status.
Expect $70k–$100k in legal + admin fees in addition to USCIS filing costs.
If applying from within the U.S., budget for I-485 + EAD/AP; if abroad, budget for consular fees.
Program fees change every 5 years with inflation.