Fill out I-526 (Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor) online
Form I-526 is filed by foreign nationals seeking lawful permanent resident status through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. The applicant must invest a required amount of capital in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers.
How to fill out I-526 (Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor)
Determine your investment category
Decide whether you are investing in a new commercial enterprise directly or through a USCIS-designated Regional Center. Determine if your investment qualifies for the reduced TEA amount based on the project location in a rural area or area with high unemployment.
Enter petitioner information
Provide your full legal name, date of birth, country of birth, current address, A-Number (if any), and immigration status. Include details about your investment amount and the source of your investment funds.
Provide business and investment details
Describe the new commercial enterprise, including its name, address, business type, date established, and your role. Submit a detailed business plan demonstrating how the investment will create at least 10 qualifying full-time jobs.
Document the lawful source of funds
Provide evidence that the investment capital was obtained through lawful means, such as tax returns, business records, bank statements, property records, or inheritance documentation tracing the path of funds.
Submit with supporting evidence
Include the filing fee, evidence of the investment (wire transfers, stock certificates, investment agreements), the business plan, proof of job creation or projected job creation, and all documentation of lawful source of funds.
About I-526 (Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor)
Who needs this form
Foreign investors who have invested or are in the process of investing the required minimum capital amount in a qualifying new commercial enterprise in the United States. The standard investment amount and the reduced amount for Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) are set by USCIS and may change over time.
Where to submit
File with USCIS by mail to the appropriate service center specified in the form instructions, or file online at uscis.gov if available. Premium processing may be available for I-526 petitions.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-24
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not demonstrating that the investment capital was obtained through lawful means
- Failing to show that the investment will create at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers
- Not providing a comprehensive business plan with credible job creation projections
- Confusing the standard investment amount with the reduced TEA (Targeted Employment Area) amount
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What is the difference between direct investment and a Regional Center?
A direct investment requires you to manage the new commercial enterprise and directly create 10 full-time jobs. A Regional Center investment allows you to invest in a USCIS-approved project and count indirect and induced jobs toward the 10-job requirement, based on economic modeling. Regional Center investments are more common because they do not require the investor to manage the business day-to-day.
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