The United States will double fees for the immigrant investor visa programme starting November 30, according to a report from NDTV. The change raises the cost of applying for the investor route, which grants permanent residence to foreign nationals who place qualifying capital into US commercial enterprises.

The fee increase takes effect on November 30 and applies to applicants filing for the immigrant investor visa from that date onward. Anyone who submits a petition before the effective date will pay the current fee, while filings on or after November 30 will face the doubled charge.

The investor visa programme — commonly known as EB-5 — allows foreign investors and their immediate family members to obtain US lawful permanent residence, commonly a Green Card, in exchange for an investment in a qualifying US business. The programme has long carried high financial thresholds, and the doubling of processing fees adds a further cost layer for prospective applicants.

Who is affected

The fee change affects prospective immigrant investors preparing to file applications, as well as their dependent family members included in the process. Applicants who have already submitted petitions and paid fees before November 30 will not need to pay the difference; the increase applies to new filings from the effective date.

For families budgeting an investor visa application, the doubled fee increases the upfront cost of entry into the programme, on top of the investment capital and any legal or administrative costs. Applicants close to filing may wish to confirm the exact fee schedule and filing procedures with the official US immigration authorities before submitting their petitions.

What changes in practice

From November 30, applicants must pay the higher fee when they file their investor visa petitions. The steps in the application process remain otherwise the same: investors must still meet the programme's investment requirements, file the relevant petition, and complete standard processing stages.

Applicants should verify the exact updated fee amounts and payment instructions through the official US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) channels, which publish the authoritative fee schedule for all visa categories. Fee rules and effective dates can carry specific conditions, so prospective applicants should consult the official USCIS announcements and, where needed, a licensed immigration professional for guidance on their individual circumstances.

Context

The immigrant investor programme remains one of the most expensive routes to US permanent residence, given its capital requirements. Fee adjustments of this kind are typically used to cover the administrative cost of processing applications, and they directly affect the out-of-pocket expense applicants face at the filing stage.

The November 30 increase means that investors planning applications in the coming months should factor the higher fee into their timelines and budgets. Those able to file before the effective date will pay the lower, current rate.

This article reports on a programme fee change and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should rely on official US government sources for the confirmed fee amounts, filing procedures, and any transitional rules surrounding the November 30 effective date.