Summary
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed reducing fees for EB-5 visa applications, which allow foreign investors to get U.S. green cards by investing in American businesses. The proposal includes lowered application fees, a technology fee, and revised processing timelines. These changes aim to support program integrity and comply with the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.
Key Facts
- DHS proposed lower fees for EB-5 visa applications, making it cheaper for foreign investors seeking U.S. permanent residency.
- The EB-5 visa requires a foreign investor to invest at least $800,000 in a U.S. business and create 10 full-time jobs for American workers.
- The proposed fee for standalone investor applications (Form I-526) will be $9,625, 14% less than the current $11,160.
- The proposed fee for regional-center investor applications (Form I-526E) will be $9,530, 15% less than the current fee.
- A $95 technology fee will be added for each initial application to improve IT systems.
- DHS aims to process regional-center investor applications within 240 days and enterprise applications within 180 days.
- The changes are part of implementing the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, which includes increasing investment amounts and maintaining program integrity.
