When comparing two programs using the numbers in the quote, you are comparing two incomplete figures. This article lists costs that typically do not appear on the front page.
Not everyone hides costs intentionally. Many items depend on individual circumstances and are difficult to estimate in advance. But knowing them ahead of time lets you budget correctly.
Category 1: Mandatory fees usually listed separately
Due diligence fees — per individual age 16 and above, non-refundable if rejected. A family of four with two children over 16 means the per-person fee is multiplied by four.
Application processing fees from the issuing authority — separate from the investment amount or required contribution.
Licensed agent fees — applications must be submitted through a licensed agent; direct submission is not permitted.
Passport and citizenship certificate issuance fees — charged per person.
These four categories combined typically represent a significant amount relative to the base investment, and increase with the number of family members.
Category 2: Document costs
Certified translations of the entire application. Complex source-of-funds documentation can run to hundreds of pages.
Consular legalization — charged per document.
Obtaining original documents from government agencies, banks, and notary offices. Multi-year bank statements typically have fees.
Financial audit if your business does not yet have audited financial statements. This may be the largest cost in this category.
Medical documentation as required by the specific program.
Correcting non-compliant documents — an item no one budgets for but frequently occurs.
Category 3: Costs after approval
This category is most often overlooked, because no one thinks about it when comparing quotes.
Maintaining status. Some residency programs require periodic renewals, each with associated fees and potentially requiring re-verification of conditions.
Tax obligations. Establishing tax residency in a new country creates new reporting requirements. Annual accounting and tax advisory costs are real expenses. For those with assets in multiple countries, this can be a significant recurring cost.
Mandatory health insurance under many residency programs.
Maintaining your investment. Programs requiring you to hold real estate or investments for a set period mean ongoing management costs, property taxes, fund fees, and illiquidity during that time.
Travel and accommodation if the program requires your presence for taking oaths, ceremonies, or renewals.
Category 4: The hardest to quantify
Opportunity cost of capital. $800,000 tied up in an EB-5 project for several years is $800,000 not earning returns elsewhere. This is not a fee, but a real cost when comparing options.
Risk of capital loss. Under EB-5 law, capital must be at risk. If the project fails, you lose the money, and no one insures against that.
Cost if rejected. Add up all of Category 1 and Category 2 — that is the amount you lose if your application is denied. This number should be known before signing, not discovered afterward.
How to budget correctly
Ask your advisor for a complete cost table customized to your specific family structure, not a template. It should clearly specify:
- Which amounts are paid upfront versus after approval
- Which amounts are non-refundable if rejected
- Which are charged per person
- Which are recurring after approval
- The date the fee schedule was last updated
Then add a contingency reserve for document costs — experience shows this category always produces surprises.
One way to test your advisor
Ask exactly this question:
"If my application is rejected, how much money do I lose?"
A reputable advisor gives you an exact number, because they have calculated it. Anyone who answers "an application like yours won't get rejected" has just told you two things: they haven't done the math, and they are making promises they cannot keep.
We disclose our cost structure before signing, including non-refundable portions. Not out of generosity, but because informed clients do not dispute bills later.