For an individual applicant, the current official terms state a nonrefundable $15,000 DHS processing fee and, after vetting, a $1 million gift; professional and any applicable State Department fees are additional. Re-verify every amount, refund term and payment stage on the official program page before transferring anything.
Confirm the amount and the destination separately
Two questions need separate answers: how much, and to whom. The amount comes from the official source and is checked again immediately before money moves. The destination comes from the same place and should never be taken from an intermediary's email, however plausible. Ask counsel to set out in writing what is payable at each stage and what happens to each amount if the application does not succeed, and plan on the basis that a gift is not returned. A household should be able to absorb the outcome in which the money is spent and the application fails, because that possibility exists in every route. Where the household could not absorb that outcome, the honest conclusion is that this is not the right route for it, and that conclusion is better reached before any payment than after.
Hypothetical example: Gabriel, who operates coin-operated laundries, is offered a package price that combines a Gold Card payment, consulting services, and filing work. An opening assessment separates the government payment from private professional fees, required filing charges, and any optional business services. Official payment instructions and written engagement terms settle who is being paid and for what. Do not send a blended amount to an intermediary and assume it reaches the government. The key decision is whether the applicant can verify the recipient, purpose, and refund or cancellation terms for every payment. A clear ledger also helps the applicant show the lawful origin and movement of the money later.