The US EB-5 Visa Program has steadily gained traction with UAE entrepreneurs and professionals who want a reliable route to live and work in the U.S. It’s a solid residency-by-investment program that rewards you for supporting American job creation.
One of the first things Emiratis need to understand is the EB-5 Visa cost for UAE Investors and it’s not just about the numbers.
As of 2025, the EB-5 visa for UAE investors means putting in $1.05 million. But if your investment is in a qualifying rural or high-unemployment Targeted Employment Area, you’re looking at $800,000. These amounts are part of reforms introduced under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 and they need to be from clean sources and held “at risk” throughout.
What Does the EB-5 Visa Cost for UAE Investors Really Include?
While the capital investment (either $1.05M or $800K) is the headline figure, UAE Investors for EB-5 should also be prepared for various other expenses. These include USCIS filing fees, visa processing fees, legal counsel, and in many cases, project-specific administration fees.
Government-related costs start with Form I-526 or I-526E, this comes with a fee of approximately $3,675. Then there’s the biometrics fee and charges for visa processing (DS-260) if applying from abroad. These fees combined typically total $5,000-$7,000 per person.
If you’re working through a Regional Center, there may also be placement fees, usually 1-2% of the invested capital, and annual admin fees. When legal, financial, and project fees are added up, the EB-5 Visa cost for UAE Investors often ranges between $850,000 to $1.15 million, depending on the structure.
Regional Center vs. Direct EB-5 Visa for UAE Investors
Choosing between a Regional Center investment and a Direct Investment route under the EB-5 visa for UAE investors really depends on the kind of experience you’re looking for.
A Regional Center is ideal if you’d rather not be deeply involved in the day-to-day. Your funds go into an approved project, and job creation is measured indirectly, which simplifies things.
But if you’re the kind who prefers being in control, the Direct EB-5 visa for UAE investors might be a better fit. You’ll be more involved, and you’ll need to prove that your business created 10 full-time jobs. It’s more hands-on but can be more rewarding too.
No matter which path you choose, it’s essential to understand how your choice affects both cost and compliance. If your business is in a qualifying TEA, the lower $800K figure still applies, even in direct investments.
Visa Availability: Good News for EB-5 Visa Applications from UAE
For those planning to apply under the EB-5 visa program, visa availability is crucial. Good news if you’re applying from the UAE: as of June 2025, the EB-5 category is “current” for all countries except China and India. That means EB-5 visa applications from UAE are not facing any country-specific backlogs right now.
Once your I-526 petition is approved, UAE nationals can move straight to consular processing without waiting in line. That alone gives UAE Investors for EB-5 a real edge. Even though the full process can take anywhere from 18 to 36 months, not having a quota delay makes the path much more predictable.
Applicants should still account for delays in the National Visa Center (NVC) and U.S. Embassy interviews in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. While these are procedural, they can add several months to the process.
Breakdown of Total EB-5 Visa Cost for UAE Investors
To summarize, the full EB-5 Visa cost for UAE Investors typically includes:
$800,000–$1,050,000 in capital investment
$3,675–$7,000 in government fees
$20,000–$40,000 in legal and advisory fees
$20,000–$90,000 in administrative or placement fees (if applicable)
In most cases, UAE Investors for EB-5 Visa should expect to budget somewhere between $900K and $1.2M. The exact amount depends on your investment route, legal support, and whether you’re applying with dependents. Getting your financial plan in place early makes the process much more manageable.
How FRR Immigration Supports UAE Investors
At FRR Immigration, we’ve worked with many UAE investors for EB-5 Visa applications, helping them take confident, well-informed steps from the first consultation through to their move to the U.S.
We help you explore whether a Regional Center or Direct Investment suits your plans, explain the full EB-5 Visa cost for UAE Investors, and guide you through every document and deadline.
Our team takes care of important steps like verifying source of funds, coordinating with economists to validate job creation, and managing the DS-260 process after your I-526 petition is approved. We also know how much your family and business matter, so we shape the plan around what’s most important to you.
Our teams in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, together with our U.S. partners, make sure your case fits today’s US EB-5 Visa Program guidelines. With us, you don’t just apply, you apply right.
Final Thoughts
Now is a great time for EB-5 visa applications from UAE. The process is moving, and the rules are clear. But success depends on more than timing, it depends on being well-prepared.
Take the time to fully understand the EB-5 Visa cost for UAE Investors, and work with people who know the system. That preparation can make all the difference.
If you’re aiming for a future in the U.S., the EB-5 visa for UAE investors is a solid path, especially for families who want both business growth and long-term security. And with experienced advisors, it doesn’t have to be a stressful process.
