StudentEB5 today published the second installment of its June 2026 EB-5 filing guide for H-1B professionals and international students pursuing permanent residency through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. Building on the first installment's coverage of eligibility and project selection, Part Two addresses attorney selection, the complete cost structure of an EB-5 petition, retrogression risk, and a detailed FAQ answering the questions prospective investors ask most frequently.
Choosing the right attorney
The guide identifies attorney selection as nearly as important as project selection in determining the outcome of an EB-5 petition. An experienced EB-5 attorney guides investors through source of funds documentation, structures capital transfers to satisfy USCIS compliance requirements, and presents financial history in a format that minimizes requests for evidence and notices of intent to deny. The report warns that attempting to file an EB-5 petition without specialized legal counsel is a significant risk. It also recommends that investors remain open to attorney recommendations on project selection, as top-tier EB-5 attorneys review project documents continuously and bring firsthand insight to the evaluation process.
The complete cost breakdown
The guide provides a full cost breakdown for a concurrent EB-5 filing. The core investment of $800,000 goes directly into the TEA project and is returned at the end of the loan term. Attorney fees typically range from $20,000 to $25,000 covering source of funds documentation and petition preparation. USCIS filing fees total approximately $6,000 for the I-526E, I-485, I-765, and I-131 filed concurrently. Regional center administrative fees range from $60,000 to $80,000, with most centers requiring this fee upfront and some deferring collection to the end of the five-year loan term. The report advises investors liquidating assets to plan ahead for capital gains tax liabilities and maintain detailed documentation tracking all asset movement from sale through final wire transfer.
Retrogression risk and the current visa bulletin
The guide addresses retrogression directly. The EB-5 reserved category is currently current for all nationals, meaning investors can file Form I-485 and an Employment Authorization Document concurrently with their EB-5 petition, establishing immediate legal status and independent work authorization from the date of filing. The report cautions that retrogression for reserved categories could occur within the coming months as USCIS accelerates processing and available visa supply shrinks against sustained demand. For context, the EB-5 unreserved category retrogressed to February 2021 for India and December 2015 for China.
EB-5 versus the Trump Gold Card
The guide clarifies the distinction between the EB-5 program and the recently discussed Trump Gold Card. The EB-5 program requires an $800,000 investment that is returned to the investor after the loan term and covers the primary applicant, spouse, and unmarried children under 21 under a single petition. The Gold Card requires a $1 million fee that is not returned to the investor, with the fee applying separately to each family member on the application.
Employer independence confirmed
The guide confirms that the EB-5 program is entirely independent of the investor's employer. No employer sponsorship is required, and the investor has no obligation to inform their employer that an EB-5 petition has been filed. This makes it one of the few pathways to permanent residency that H-1B professionals can pursue without any risk to their current employment relationship.
The complete guide is available in full at studenteb5.com/research/investment/eb5-i526e-filing-attorney-cost-part-2-f1-h1b. Investors are encouraged to read both installments before making any filing or investment decisions.
About StudentEB5
StudentEB5 helps international students, H-1B professionals, and globally mobile individuals understand the EB-5 investment program and explore pathways to U.S. permanent residency. The platform provides research, guides, and free consultations. Content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or investment advice.
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