What Are The Costs Associated With USA Citizenship By Investment?

Obtaining USA citizenship through investment, primarily under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, involves several financial commitments beyond just the investment itself. The EB-5 program is a popular path for foreign investors seeking permanent residency and eventually U.S. citizenship, but it comes with various costs. Here’s a breakdown of the key expenses you should consider if you’re pursuing USA citizenship by investment.

Investment amount:

The primary cost of the EB-5 program is the capital investment itself. As of March 2022, the minimum investment required is $1,050,000. However, if you invest in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)—which is a rural area or one with high unemployment—the minimum investment is reduced to $800,000. These funds must be at risk and must generate at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers, as required by the program.

Administrative fees:

Along with the investment, most EB-5 regional centers charge administrative fees, which typically range between $50,000 and $70,000. These fees cover the operational costs of managing the investment project and overseeing compliance with EB-5 requirements. It’s important to thoroughly review the terms and understand what these fees entail before committing to a regional center project.

Legal fees:

Hiring an immigration attorney is key for a successful EB-5 application, and legal fees can range from $15,000 to $25,000 or more, depending on the complexity of your case. Your attorney will help you steer the entire process, from gathering documentation to filing the necessary forms with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While this is an additional cost, working with an experienced attorney is essential to avoid errors that could delay or jeopardize your application.

Filing fees:

Filing the necessary petitions with USCIS involves additional costs. The I-526 petition, which is the first step in the EB-5 process, carries a filing fee of $3,675. Once your I-526 is approved, you will file an I-485 (if you are already in the U.S.) or go through consular processing (if you are abroad), both of which have associated fees of around $1,225 per person. Later, you will need to file an I-829 petition to remove conditions on your permanent residency, with a filing fee of $3,835.

Due diligence and other costs:

Before making any investment, conducting due diligence is important to ensure the legitimacy and viability of the project. Due diligence costs may include financial audits, market research, and background checks on the project or regional center, which could range from a few thousand dollars to over $10,000. Additionally, there may be travel costs for visiting the U.S., relocation expenses, and fees for translating documents if they are not in English.