IN THIS GUIDE · Evaluate the current government process before making a major financial commitment
Understand the government-described sequence
The official framework describes a nonrefundable processing fee, vetting and a gift to the U.S. government after successful vetting. Successful cases proceed through EB-1 or EB-2; classification eligibility, admissibility and visa availability remain separate requirements. The gift is not a payment into an EB-5 enterprise and is not capital offered with a commercial return. Confirm the current individual or corporate instructions for the actual proposal.
Confirm which proposal is actually under consideration
Distinguish an individual application from a corporate sponsorship proposal. Record the intended applicant, payer and family members before comparing costs. Ask the adviser to explain the current official basis and unresolved personal eligibility questions. Do not combine details from different descriptions into a package the government has not offered.
Keep an auditable instruction history
Save dated government directions, subsequent notices and the responses supplied. Use the actual request when deciding what evidence to prepare. Documents organized for EB-5 or another category may provide background but are not automatically a complete Gold Card file. If instructions change, identify which part of the plan needs reassessment.
Calculate commitments for the actual household
Check current official charges for each person intended to be included. Keep the gift, processing charges and professional costs distinct. Ask about the terms that apply if plans change, and obtain independent financial or tax advice where relevant. A shared surname should not be treated as evidence that one quoted amount covers the entire family.
Tie relocation decisions to verified progress
Identify what confirmed information the household would need before committing to housing or employment changes. Promotional speed claims are not an individual timetable. Eligibility, vetting and visa availability remain relevant to the process described by the government. Preserve flexibility where possible without suggesting that a planning worksheet resolves those legal questions.
Use the current official financial terms
The official September 7, 2026 terms describe a nonrefundable US$15,000 processing fee per person; the principal gift is US$1 million for an individual or US$2 million per corporate-sponsored employee. Each eligible joining spouse or unmarried child under 21 adds US$15,000 plus a US$1 million gift. Gifts follow successful vetting and official instructions. Corporate terms also describe 1% annual maintenance and a 5% transfer charge including a new background check. Confirm the governing conditions and any additional charges; these amounts do not guarantee approval. A corporate transfer does not automatically approve the replacement employee.
Sources reviewed 2026-09-07. This guide covers a preparation focus; it is not an individual eligibility assessment.