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USCISInvestment & Business

Official form guide

Form I-526: Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor

Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor, is used to request an EB-5 immigrant visa based on a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise. File it when you intend to obtain a green card through the EB-5 program without a prior I-526 approval.

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Form Overview

USCIS Form I-526 - Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor

Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor, is used to request an EB-5 immigrant visa based on a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise. File it when you intend to obtain a green card through the EB-5 program without a prior I-526 approval.

It captures personal data, investment amount, source of funds, business plan, and job‑creation projections.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1A single missing signature can cause a complete denial of the petition.
  • 2Incorrect fee amount or payment method
  • 3Missing source‑of‑funds documentation
  • 4Business plan not detailed enough for job‑creation proof
  • 5Signature omitted or illegible

Plain English

If you’re planning to invest at least $1.8 million (or $900 k in a targeted area) in a U.S. business and want a green card, you submit I-526. The government then reviews whether your investment meets the EB‑5 requirements.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: File after you have secured the investment funds and a viable business plan; there is no fixed deadline, but the petition must be submitted before you can apply for an I-485 or consular processing.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

petitioninvestorobtaininvest

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use I-526 when applying for an EB‑5 visa based on a new investment.
  • Do not use it if you already have an approved I-526 and are filing for adjustment of status.
  • If you are applying as a dependent spouse or child, file a separate I-485 after the I-526 is approved.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Need to change investment amount after filing

Adjusts conditions on permanent residence

✓ Verify new investment meets EB‑5 criteria

I-829

Applying for a family member after I-526 approval

Adjusts status to permanent resident

✓ Ensure priority date is current

I-485

Deadline or filing window

There is no statutory filing deadline for I-526, but you must file before you can request an immigrant visa or adjust status. Delays in gathering source‑of‑funds proof often push the filing date later, which can affect visa availability.

  • —Investment amount | >= $1,800,000 or $900,000 in TEA | Eligible investment? | Verify TEA designation

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Source of funds

Bank statements, tax returns, sale agreements · Investor’s financial records

⚠ Often missing transaction trails✕ High
2

Business plan

Detailed plan with market analysis · Consulting firm or attorney

⚠ Incomplete job‑creation forecasts✕ Medium
3

Job creation estimate

Economic impact analysis · Independent economist

⚠ Numbers not tied to specific roles✕ High
4

Proof of investment

Escrow agreement, wiring receipt · Investor’s escrow agent

⚠ Misdated or unsigned documents✕ Medium
5

Organizational documents

Articles of incorporation, bylaws · State filing office

⚠ Forgetting to include amendments✕ Low

Before you submit

  1. 1Form I-526 printed on white 8.5"×11" paper
  2. 2All required signatures present and legible
  3. 3Correct filing fee attached (check or money order)
  4. 4Cover letter summarizing petition and evidence list
  5. 5Source‑of‑funds documents organized chronologically
  6. 6Business plan and job‑creation analysis included
  7. 7Translations with certified English versions attached
  8. 8Form and evidence page numbers match the checklist
  9. 9Mail package sealed and tracked via USPS or UPS
  10. 10Retain copies of everything submitted
  11. 11Record the receipt number from USCIS notice

How to file this form

  1. 1Download the latest I-526 PDF from USCIS and read the instructions fully.
  2. 2Complete the form electronically, then print and sign each required page.
  3. 3Assemble evidence in the order listed in the instructions, using tabs for each section.
  4. 4Prepare a cover letter that lists all items and indicates the filing fee amount.
  5. 5Place the form, cover letter, fee, and evidence in a single envelope.
  6. 6Mail to the correct USCIS lockbox; use a trackable service.
  7. 7Save the mailing receipt and later the USCIS receipt notice.

Known limitations

  1. 1USCIS does not accept electronic filing for I-526.
  2. 2Fee amounts can change without notice; always verify the current fee.
  3. 3Processing times vary widely; no guaranteed timeline.
  4. 4Form instructions may be updated after the PDF is downloaded; check for errata.
  5. 5Source‑of‑funds verification is subjective; USCIS may request additional proof.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

7 fields

Applicant Info

3 items

Full Legal Name

Your current legal name.

Requiredtext
Date of Birth

MM/DD/YYYY.

Requireddate
A-Number

Alien Registration Number if previously assigned.

text

Details

1 items

Basis for Application

The specific reason or legal basis for filing this form.

Requiredtext

Evidence

1 items

Supporting Documentation

List of documents supporting this application.

Requiredtext

Signatures

2 items

Applicant Signature

Sign under penalty of perjury.

Requiredsignature
Date of Signature

MM/DD/YYYY.

Requireddate
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Current form status
USCIS

Check the USCIS website for the latest I-526 processing times and any recent fee changes before filing.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date – confirm the form version matches the date on the USCIS website
  • Fee – verify current filing fee (check USCIS fee schedule)
  • Mailing address – use the lockbox address listed in the latest instructions
  • Signature block – ensure original wet signature, no typed signatures
  • Page count – include all required pages; extra pages must be labeled

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Quick Facts

The foreign investor (or a qualifying family member) files the petition.
It captures personal data, investment amount, source of funds, business plan, and job‑creation projections.
File after you have secured the investment funds and a viable business plan; there is no fixed deadline, but the petition must be submitted before you can apply for an I-485 or consular processing.
Mail the completed form, supporting evidence, and filing fee to the USCIS lockbox listed in the Form I-526 instructions. Electronic filing is not available.
Errors can lead to a Request for Evidence (RFE) or denial, delaying or jeopardizing the entire EB‑5 process.
1. Gather source‑of‑funds documents, business plan, and job‑creation analysis. 2. Complete the form online, print, and sign it. 3. Assemble the evidence in the order required by the instructions. 4. Include the correct filing fee and cover letter, then mail to the designated address. 5. Keep the receipt notice and track delivery.

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Blank Form I-526↗Instructions↗

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After you file

  1. 1Log the receipt number and filing date in a tracking spreadsheet.
  2. 2Monitor USCIS case status online weekly.
  3. 3Prepare for a possible Request for Evidence by keeping all source‑of‑funds records ready.
  4. 4If approved, forward the I-526 approval notice to your attorney or the consulate handling the visa interview.
  5. 5Maintain copies of the entire filing package for future I-485 or I-829 filings.
  6. 6Update your personal calendar with the priority date for visa bulletin tracking.

Sources

  • SRCUSCIS Form I-526 PDFofficial instructions
  • SRCUSCIS Fee Schedulecurrent filing fee
  • SRCUSCIS Lockbox Addressesmailing locations
  • SRCEB‑5 Investment Thresholds$1.8M / $900k TEA rule
  • SRCUSCIS processing time tablesaverage I-526 times
  • SRCUSCIS RFE guidancetypical evidence requests
  • SRCNot clearly stated in the provided official source

Common confusion points

EB‑5 investment amount

Different thresholds for TEA vs. non‑TEA

→ Verify TEA status before{}{} calculating amount

Source of funds vs. source of investment

Investors mix up where money came from vs. where it is placed

→ Keep separate documentation for each

I-526 vs. I-485 timing

Some think filing I-485 before I-526 approval is allowed

→ File I-485 only after I-526 approval

Fee payment method

Some use credit cards, which are not accepted

→ Use check or money order only

Signature requirement

Electronic signatures are not valid

→ Provide original wet signature

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

2 signals

Before

I-526 | Used with: I-485 (adjustment of status) | After: Green card issuance | If something goes wrong: I-290B (appeal)I-526 | Used with: I-829 (removal of conditions) | After: Conditional permanent resident status | If something goes wrong: Request for Evidence on I-829

Current

I-526

After

None listed

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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