I-526 Form Summary

In order to be eligible for the EB5 Visa Green Card program one has to file the I-526 form. Form I-526 is known as “Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor”. The form is 13 pages long and is generally filled and submitted by an Immigration Attorney to the USCIS. This form demonstrates that the applicant is in the process of investing, or has already invested the specific amount in an EB-5 project. If the applicant chooses to make an investment in an economically depressed area called a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) then the investment amounts are reduced to $800,000 otherwise the applicant must invest at least $1.05 million to qualify for the program.

Continue reading: what is a EB5 Project?

Filing I-526

An Immigration Attorney would be involved in filing the I-526 form because the key purpose of the I-526 petition is for the applicant is to provide traceable evidence that proves that their capital investment comes from a lawful source that the attorney will help you document.

For the applicant’s I-526 form being accepted by the USCIS it is important to satisfy the requirements below –

• The applicant must provide evidence of his/her lawful capital being invested directly in a new commercial enterprise or an EB-5 project that is administered by a EB 5 Regional Center.
• The applicant would also need to submit evidence that the project has received or will receive the investment.
• The applicant must present evidence that his/her investment will lead to the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs (35 hours per week or more) for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other authorized immigrant workers.
• The applicant will also be required to state that him/her would be involved with day to day activity/management or will gave a right to vote/policy-making position with the project.

Read more about Requirement for i-526 Petition.

I-526 Filing Fee

I-526 filing fee is $3675. A cost of $345 is added to the total for applicants applying from outside of the USA via Counselor processing. Following payment methods are accepted, a money order, personal check, cashier’s check or pay by credit card using Form G-1450. Form G-1450 is also known as “Authorization for Credit Card Transactions”. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. See other EB5 visa fees.

I-526 petitions are usually filled and submitted by the Immigration Attorneys. USCIS will occasionally request more evidence if needed. The form is submitted to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox Facility. Applicants are usually notified as to whether or not the petition has been approved by USCIS after a period of 29 months to 50 months.

EB-5 visa applicant can apply for U.S. residential status once the I-526 petition is approved. He/She can do so by filing the form I-485 application (adjustment of status) if they are already in the United States or by filing the DS-260 application.

Download: I-526 form on the USCIS website

Looking for other US investor visa forms?

• DS 260 form
• I-829 form