Each included child adds a nonrefundable US$15,000 processing fee and a further US$1 million gift, on top of the principal's US$15,000 and US$1 million. A spouse adds the same amounts again. The same additional family-member amounts apply in corporate cases, where the principal employee’s gift is US$2 million. Visa, medical and professional costs are separate; check the applicable payment and cancellation terms rather than assuming those expenses share one refund rule.
Weigh the fee against the age risk
Including a child close to the threshold means paying a nonrefundable fee for someone whose eligibility could depend on timing. That is a real financial risk and deserves a direct conversation with counsel about how likely the concern is in this case. The alternative — leaving the child out — carries its own consequence, since joining relatives must be considered in the initial application.
Make the trade-off consciously rather than by default. Make the trade-off consciously and write down which way it was decided. Including a child close to the age threshold means paying a nonrefundable fee for someone whose position could depend on timing; leaving the child out carries its own consequence, since joining relatives must be considered in the initial application.
Ask counsel directly how likely the concern is on these facts rather than reasoning from general commentary. Each included child adds a nonrefundable processing fee and a further gift amount, and a spouse adds the same again, so the household total climbs quickly. Visa, medical, and professional costs are separate and carry their own payment and cancellation terms rather than sharing one refund rule.