Dubai-based immigration advisors are urging prospective EB-5 investors to file before year-end, warning that the statutory minimum investment is scheduled to increase from $800,000 to an inflation-adjusted figure—expected to be around $950,000—on 1 January 2027. The American Legal Center announced a free seminar on 21 November to brief Gulf-based families on filing logistics and project due diligence. Under reforms enacted in 2022, EB-5 investment thresholds are automatically indexed every five years. While the U.S. government has not yet released the precise 2027 amount, regional-center projects have reported a surge of interest from international parents eager to secure U.S. university options for their children at the lower price. Practitioners note that demand could create bottlenecks at USCIS, which still faces pandemic-era backlogs. Investors should gather source-of-funds documentation, wire transfer proofs and signed subscription agreements well in advance of December holidays to avoid missing the filing window. For corporate mobility teams, the looming hike may nudge senior executives toward employer-sponsored green-card categories instead of self-funded EB-5. Companies with existing EB-5 reimbursement programs may see an uptick in requests before the deadline. Potential applicants are reminded that EB-5 capital must remain at risk and that returns are typically modest. The forthcoming price increase is therefore a financial as well as an immigration consideration.
Source: Khaleej Times
