What if taking a few weeks to decide on the EB-5 visa means that more of your family’s money would have to be used for the same opportunity of obtaining a US Green Card? If you are waiting for the ideal moment to act, it is time to put the preparations to the agenda of the family.
As from January 1, 2027, the EB-5 investment threshold for the program will be increased. For your family this means making their homework and checking their budget together.
What your family can plan around today
If you are able to invest $800,000, first see if your project meets the requirements or not. The EB-5 investment requirement for 2026 is $800,000 for projects located in rural locations, areas of high unemployment, and infrastructure projects. The regular minimum is $1,050,000.
Your finances matter, here the difference is crucial before you filter the projects that fit the requirements. The numbers mentioned above refer to the investment capital only, and do not include other expenses related to the application for the EB-5 visa.
Paresh explains why waiting can change the budget for the same family immigration plan.
What changes on January 1, 2027?
If the waiting period means securing additional funds, it is important to understand the reasons behind this occurrence. Title 8 of U.S. Code, section 1153(b)(5)(C) indicates that the first automatic adjustment will be effective from January 1, 2027 followed by another one every five years. When it comes to determining the median income according to the federal legislation, the inflation statistics as represented in the consumer price index are taken into account. The established figure will be based on the information received starting January 1, 2022. As a result, the new lower figure is determined by taking into account 75% of the amount adjusted in accordance with inflation.
Do not count on the amount presented by the new estimates that is considered final. The adjustments of the investment amounts according to 2027 also take place on the legal basis. Until the official data appears, do not treat any possible estimating number as the one required for investment.
Paying more does not guarantee a good immigration result for your family. The adjustment means that the minimum amount required for this pathway of immigration changes but this does not imply approval of the immigration applications or their repayment.
The lesson from the 2019 increase
If you believe that the minimum will stay at reasonable levels while you deliberate, you need to keep in mind the earlier adjustment. In November 2019, the minimum amount of qualification went up from $500,000 to $900,000. In 2021, however, that law was overturned by the court.
When making a choice today, the important thing is preparing for it and not making a forecast that history will repeat itself. The 2027 adjustment has its unique legal grounds.
Why having $800,000 ready is not enough
While you may be prepared to transfer, the petition of your family should also be on the go. USCIS requires proof of funds legality and funds transfer process. Just having a bank statement doesn’t establish the funds history.
In order to secure the current investment opportunity, work backwards from the right filing of the petition no later than January 1, 2027. Just choosing the project, reserving the position or transferring the money is not enough to guarantee the amount.
Consult with your immigration attorney regarding what needs to be done in your case. Consider EB-5 investment deadline not for making a payment but rather as a readiness of your filing matter.
Why the paperwork needs time
You know how you built your savings. The officer reviewing your family’s application needs documents showing it. EB-5 Source of Funds means proving where the investment money came from.
For a property sale, start with the purchase, ownership, sale and bank records. For business earnings or gifts, ask your lawyer which records establish the history. Allow weeks for collecting and checking documents, with longer if gaps need resolving. This is a planning allowance, not a government processing promise.
Protect the family from a rushed investment by reviewing projects alongside the paperwork. Use our EB-5 project due diligence checklist, which helps you question the investment before committing. Arrange the EB-5 remittance from India with your bank in parallel.
Two dates affect your family budget
When you are talking about EB-5 deadlines in 2026, keep in mind that there are various government fees involved in addition to the amount you will be putting in as investment and they differ in timing.
November 30, 2026: Starting this date, the amount that you will have to pay for the initial I-526E fee, which now is $3,675, will go up to $7,850. This amount includes the $75 technology fee. The amount related to the Integrity Fund, which is responsible for overseeing the process, will go up to $1,100, from the previous amount of $1,000. The effect of the update is applicable to the filings sent on and after this date.
January 1, 2027: As for the amount your family will have to pay, the changes in investments apply to the petitions submitted on and after this date. Make sure you ask your attorney to confirm the requirements for filing and necessary payment at the time of submitting.
Planning EB-5 for your family?
Source of Funds, project selection, and timing all interact. An Acquest advisor can walk you through where you stand.
What I would ask your family to do now
Start with a document review, a realistic budget and a project shortlist. Have your lawyer assess whether a complete filing is achievable. If it is not, plan for the revised requirements rather than submit a weak case to chase a date.
Your US Green Card plans should not cost more because preparation was postponed. Reach out to Acquest Advisors and start your EB-5 preparation today.
About Acquest Advisors
Acquest Advisors is a trusted immigration consultancy. We work with HNI Indian families, business owners, and CXOs on residency and citizenship by investment across the US, Europe, and the UAE. Our advisory combines chartered accounting, corporate banking, and immigration expertise. That depth lets us handle Source of Funds planning, EB-5 project due diligence, documentation, and foreign remittance end to end.
Frequently asked questions
What will the new investment amount be in 2027?
For your family budget, use the official adjusted figures when announced, rather than an estimate. The EB-5 investment increase follows the statutory inflation formula from January 1, 2027.
Does transferring $800,000 before January 1 protect the amount?
Do not rely on the transfer date alone for your family’s filing strategy. Your lawyer must confirm a qualifying investment and a properly filed petition under the applicable requirements.
Should Indian families start even if documents are incomplete?
Yes, start the preparation so you can identify what is missing. Families evaluating an EB-5 visa for Indians should assess eligibility, funds and project suitability before committing to an EB-5 Green Card plan.
To Learn more about EB-5
About Paresh Karia
Paresh Karia is the CEO of Acquest Advisors. Chartered Accountant by training and a former senior banker at HDFC, ICICI Bank, and ABN Amro, he brings over two decades of experience across global finance, real estate, and investment immigration. That dual lens, financial structuring on one side and immigration strategy on the other, is what lets Acquest evaluate Source of Funds files and EB-5 projects with a depth most pure immigration consultancies cannot match. Read more about Paresh.