The United States will double its EB-5 visa fees with effect from November 30, raising the cost of a programme that Indian investors have used in growing numbers as a direct route to a US green card.

The EB-5 immigrant investor programme grants permanent residence to foreign nationals who invest qualifying amounts in US commercial enterprises and create jobs for American workers. For Indian applicants, it has served as an alternative to employment-based routes that often involve long waiting periods.

Under the revised fee structure that takes effect November 30, applicants will pay roughly twice the current charges. The increase applies to EB-5 filings, meaning investors who submit petitions before the deadline can still do so at the lower rates.

Who is affected

The change affects anyone planning to file an EB-5 petition, including the significant cohort of Indian nationals who have turned to the programme for US permanent residence. Applicants who have already begun preparing their documentation face a direct decision: file before November 30 or budget for the higher fees.

Family members included in a single application should also account for the increased cost when planning their total investment in the immigration process.

What changes in practice

The core eligibility rules of the EB-5 programme remain untouched. Investment thresholds, job-creation requirements and the process for petitioning do not change. What changes is the government fee attached to the filing itself, which doubles from November 30.

For investors, the practical steps are unchanged but more expensive. An applicant prepares the same petition, compiles the same source-of-funds documentation and files with the same US immigration authorities. The difference appears on the fee payment.

Why the timing matters

A fee increase of this size adds a meaningful amount to the overall cost of an EB-5 application, which already includes the qualifying investment capital and professional fees for legal and financial preparation. Indian investors, who have ranked among the leading EB-5 applicant groups in recent years, will feel the increase directly.

The November 30 deadline creates a clear cutoff. Petitions filed before that date attract the existing fees. Petitions filed on or after it attract the doubled charges.

What investors should do now

Applicants who are close to filing may wish to complete their submissions before the deadline to avoid the higher cost. Those earlier in the process should recalculate their budgets to reflect the new fee levels.

The EB-5 programme itself continues to operate on its existing terms. The fee change does not alter investment amounts, eligibility criteria or processing procedures.

Investors should verify the exact revised fee amounts and filing requirements on the official website of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which administers the programme and publishes the authoritative fee schedule. Applicants with individual circumstances should consult a licensed US immigration attorney before filing.