The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) significantly raised filing fees for the I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor, in April 2024. This is a crucial, first step in the EB-5 Immigrant Investor process. This adjustment in fees has near-term implications for prospective EB-5 investors. This article delves into the details of the fee increase and its potential impact on individuals seeking U.S. permanent residency through the EB-5 program.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a pathway for foreign investors to obtain a U.S. green card by making a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise that generates employment for U.S. workers. TheI-526E petition is a vital component of the application process, serving as the initial step in demonstrating the investor’s commitment to the program.
According to the USCIS website (Frequently Asked Questions on the USCIS Fee Rule | USCIS), the I-526E fee will increase from $3,675 to $11,160, a 204% increase, on April 1, 2024. This adjustment is part of the USCIS’s broader efforts to cover the escalating costs associated with processing and adjudicating immigration petitions. The fee increase applies to all new I-526E filings. EB-5stakeholders are still waiting for USCIS to conduct a separate fee study required by the new EB-5 law (the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, or the “RIA”). Section 106 of the RIA requires USCIS to perform a fee study about the level of fees needed to adjudicate EB-5 related petitions in a timely manner. The April 1, 2024 increase in fees is separate from any future increase that may result from this required fee study, so investors should stay informed about potential further increases in the future.
The USCIS’s decision to raise the I-526E filing fees introduces a new dimension to the already intricate landscape of the EB-5Immigrant Investor program. Prospective investors are advised to closely evaluate the updated fee structure, engage with immigration professionals for tailored advice, and make informed decisions based on their individual financial circumstances. As the EB-5 program remains an attractive avenue for obtaining U.S. permanent residency, investors should stay informed and adapt to changes in order to navigate the evolving landscape successfully.
Peachtree Group has current offerings that are structured to qualify investors to apply for the EB-5 program.
To learn more about EB-5 and Peachtree’s EB-5 offerings, fill out our contact form.
About Peachtree Group
Peachtree Group is an investment firm driving growth with a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate assets and other ventures, with a specialty in hospitality. We’ve executed hundreds of investments since inception with a focus on real estate acquisition, development, and lending. Today, we manage billions in equity, augmented by services designed to protect, support, and grow your investment.
In a recent episode of the Peachtree Point of View podcast, Greg Friedman, CEO of Peachtree Group, sits down with Adam Greene, who heads the company's EB-5 program. Their conversation reveals how this unique financing mechanism can stimulate economic growth and job-creation while producing competitive advantages for commercial real estate investments.
For Peachtree Group investors, understanding EB-5 provides insight into how the firm enhances investment returns. The program works by connecting foreign nationals seeking U.S. green cards with development projects that need capital. These foreign investors contribute a minimum of $800,000 to qualifying projects that create U.S. jobs, and in exchange, they and their families receive a pathway to permanent residency.
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The EB-5 capital typically comes at a lower cost than traditional financing sources, as foreign investors are primarily motivated by immigration benefits rather than financial returns. This allows Peachtree to replace more expensive layers of the capital stack with this efficient capital, potentially improving overall project economics.
Adam Greene, with 14 years of specialized experience in EB-5 and nearly three decades in construction financing, explains Peachtree's innovative approach: Unlike competitors who use a "best efforts" fundraising model, Peachtree fully underwrites and commits to projects upfront, then uses EB-5 capital as a take-out strategy. This eliminates execution risk while still delivering the financial advantages of EB-5 funding.
The podcast highlights a recent $25 million Home2 Suites hotel in Boone, North Carolina as an example. Located in a rural area qualifying for the $800,000 EB-5 investment threshold, the project successfully incorporated EB-5 capital to enhance its financial structure.
The conversation also touches on the proposed "Gold Card" visa program under the Trump administration, which differs significantly from EB-5 as it involves a $5 million donation to the U.S. Treasury rather than an investment in job-creating projects.
Listen to the full episode of Peachtree Point of View to gain deeper insights into how Peachtree leverages EB-5 financing to optimize returns on commercial real estate investments. Follow Peachtree Point of View on your favorite podcast platform for more strategic conversations on investment opportunities and financing innovations.
ATLANTA (April 2025) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”) has successfully secured U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) approval for four regional centers:
These approvals allow Peachtree to independently structure and sponsor EB-5 projects within the designated territories, streamlining the investment process and enhancing efficiency in bringing deals to market.
The approved regional centers cover the continental U.S., giving Peachtree a national footprint to expand its EB-5 program. With these approvals, the firm plans to scale its EB-5 efforts, increase deal volume, and seamlessly integrate EB-5 capital into its broader investment strategy.
Peachtree launched its EB-5 program in 2023 with the appointment of Adam Greene as executive vice president. Since then, the program has received three I-956F approvals for hotel developments, including:
The Regional Center approvals, granted by USCIS, represent a critical milestone in facilitating EB-5 investment opportunities. Previously, Peachtree relied on third-party regional centers, which added complexity and extended processing times. Now, with its own approved regional centers, the firm can directly manage and file EB-5 investments, significantly reducing timelines and enhancing control over its platform.
“These approvals mark a major milestone for Peachtree, solidifying our ability to independently execute EB-5 transactions and accelerate our investment initiatives,” Greene said. “With this expanded capacity, we can efficiently sponsor and structure projects, further driving economic development and job creation across the country.”
Peachtree has built a strong reputation in commercial real estate investment, and the newly established regional centers align with its long-term vision of diversifying and optimizing its capital sources.
"Implementing an EB-5 program is an excellent way to access low-cost capital, diversify our funding sources and invest in job-creating projects across the country," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's CEO and managing principal.
The EB-5 visa program allows foreign investors to obtain a green card in exchange for making a significant investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs in the U.S. Under the program, foreign nationals who invest a minimum of $800,000 in a U.S.-based project that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers are eligible to apply for permanent residency in the U.S.
"Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding our EB-5 footprint by increasing the number of qualifying projects and deepening our engagement with EB-5 investors. With a proven investment track record, national reach and execution expertise, Peachtree is well-positioned to leverage these approvals and solidify its leadership in the EB-5 investment sector," Greene added.
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ATLANTA (April 28, 2025) – Peachtree Group("Peachtree") has received its I-956F approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the government agency that oversees the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, for the currently under construction SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Bryce Canyon, Utah.
The I-956F approval, granted by USCIS, marks a crucial step in Peachtree’s ongoing efforts to facilitate investment opportunities through the EB-5 program, which is designed to promote economic growth and job creation in the U.S.
“Securing USCIS approval for this project marks an important milestone,” said Adam Greene, executive vice president of EB-5 at Peachtree. “It highlights our continued focus on structuring and originating capital for high-quality developments that generate economic impact and long-term value for investors and communities.”
Peachtree originated $16.95 million in floating-rate construction financing over a three-year term for the development of a 127-room SpringHill Suites in Bryce Canyon, Utah. The hotel will be located about 10 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park, one of the most iconic natural attractions in the United States. Known for its dramatic geological formations, the park draws more than 2 million visitors annually. The hotel is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
This is the third hotel development for which Peachtree has received I-956F approval, having previously secured it for its:
“With strong travel demand, limited new supply and favorable market tail winds, well-located, newly developed assets are positioned to out perform their competitive set,” said Greene. “Construction is already underway, reducing project risk, and the firm has retained an equity stake aligned with our EB-5 investors — reinforcing our commitment and directly tying our success to theirs.”
Peachtree launched its EB-5 program in 2023 as a key financing tool to support job-creating projects nationwide. The firm remains committed to delivering high-quality investment and development opportunities through its expanding portfolio of EB-5 projects.
The EB-5 visa program allows foreign investors to obtain a green card in exchange for making a significant investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs in the U.S. Under the program, foreign nationals who invest a minimum of $800,000 in a U.S.-based project that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers are eligible to apply for permanent residency. Key requirements of the EB-5 program include:
