US Immigration Attorney Fees
Legal fees typically range from about $25,000 to $50,000 for the full EB-5 process. — Global Immigration Partners PLLC
US immigration attorney fees cover the preparation and filing of Form I-526E (the initial investor petition), National Visa Center document collection, consular processing preparation, and Form I-829 (the petition to remove conditions). Some attorneys charge a flat fee for the full process; others charge by stage. Ensure you understand exactly what is included before engaging an attorney.
For South African investors, it is strongly recommended to work with a US immigration attorney who has specific EB-5 experience and understands the South African context — including SARB compliance and the interaction with South African citizenship law.
USCIS Filing Fees
USCIS filing fees are fixed government charges that cannot be negotiated. As of 2026, the key fees are: Form I-526E (Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor): $11,160; DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application: $325 per person; Form I-829 (Petition to Remove Conditions): $3,750 per investor (plus $2,195 per additional family member). These fees are subject to change; always verify current fees on the USCIS website before filing.
Regional Center Administrative Fees
Yes, most regional centers charge additional administrative fees. — Global Immigration Partners PLLC
Regional Center administrative fees are charged by the USCIS-approved organisation managing the project. These fees typically range from $50,000 to $80,000 and are paid in addition to the $800,000 investment. The administrative fee covers the Regional Center's costs of managing the investment fund, preparing USCIS compliance documentation, and providing ongoing investor services. Unlike the investment capital, administrative fees are generally not returned to investors.
South African Professional Fees
South African investors should budget for: SARB advisory and foreign investment application preparation ($10,000–$20,000); SARS tax exit planning and deemed disposal calculations ($7,000–$15,000); South African citizenship retention application ($2,000–$5,000); and forex advisory for the actual fund transfer ($1,000–$3,000 plus forex spread). These costs are in addition to all US-side fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
US immigration attorney fees typically range from $25,000 to $50,000 for the full EB-5 process (I-526E through I-829). South African investors should also budget for SARB advisory fees ($10,000–$20,000) and SARS tax exit planning ($7,000–$15,000).
Yes, most regional centers charge additional administrative fees typically ranging from $50,000 to $80,000. These are paid in addition to the $800,000 investment and are generally not returned.
Total costs often range around $950,000 to $1,200,000 (R22M–R28M) depending on the project, family size, and professional fees. This includes the $800,000 investment, Regional Center admin fees, US attorney fees, USCIS filing fees, and South African professional fees.
Key USCIS fees include: Form I-526E at $11,160; DS-260 immigrant visa application at $325 per person; and Form I-829 at $3,750 per investor plus $2,195 per additional family member.
The answers in this guide have been reviewed and verified by Global Immigration Partners PLLC — a leading US immigration law firm with offices at 1717 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC and 1 Mayfair Place, London.
www.globalimmigration.com | +1 (267) 507-6078
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