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Official form guide
Form I-526: Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-526 is the Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor that requests an EB‑5 visa by showing a business expansion that creates at least a 40 % increase in net worth or employees. Investors who own a business formed on or before Nov 29 1990 file it.
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USCIS Form I-526 - Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-526 is the Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor that requests an EB‑5 visa by showing a business expansion that creates at least a 40 % increase in net worth or employees. Investors who own a business formed on or before Nov 29 1990 file it.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Submitting original documents when not requested can cause USCIS to destroy them.
- 2Submitting original documents instead of required photocopies.
- 3Omitting tax records, Forms I‑9, or the comprehensive business plan.
- 4Failing to provide a full English translation for foreign‑language documents.
- 5Leaving the Alien Registration Number field blank without entering “N/A”.
Plain English
Form I-526 asks an investor to prove they are expanding a qualifying business with the required EB‑5 investment. It collects personal and business details and requires supporting documents. USCIS reviews it for completeness before deciding eligibility.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Not stated in the official source.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when a standalone investor is petitioning for EB‑5 immigrant status by expanding a business that was formed on or before November 29 1990 and will increase net worth or employee count by at least 40 %.
- Do not use it when the investment is made through a regional center or is pooled with other investors.
- Check Form I-526E instead when the investment is made through a regional center or is pooled with other investors.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Petitioning as a regional center investor
Regional center investments require a different petition form
✓ Confirm the investment is through an approved regional center
Determining the filing fee
Fee schedule is published on Form G-1055
✓ Verify the current fee amount on Form G-1055
Submitting required evidence for employees
I‑9 documents prove employee eligibility and are required for the business plan
✓ Ensure photocopies of completed I‑9s are attached
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Alien Registration Number (A-Number)
A‑Number or “N/A” · Correspondence from DHS/USCIS
Identification
Photocopy of government‑issued ID (e.g., passport) · Passport or other ID document
Tax records for qualifying employees
Photocopies of tax returns, Forms I‑9 · Employer tax files
Business plan
Comprehensive business plan detailing investment and job creation · Prepared by investor or consultant
Evidence of 40 % increase
Financial statements showing net‑worth or employee count before and after investment · Company financial records
Before you submit
- 1Print the form on single‑sided paper
- 2Complete all required fields in black ink
- 3Enter your A‑Number or type “N/A” if you do not have one
- 4Attach legible photocopies of tax records, Forms I‑9, and the business plan
- 5Include a clear photocopy of a government‑issued ID such as a passport
- 6Sign the form in the signature block
- 7If filing from abroad, schedule and attend the required biometrics appointment
- 8Submit legible photocopies unless the instructions specifically request an original
- 9Verify the filing address on the USCIS website before mailing
- 10Confirm you have paid the filing fee as indicated on Form G‑1055
How to file this form
- 1Gather all required evidence and supporting documents
- 2Complete Form I-526 using black ink and legible printing
- 3Attach all supporting documents in the order requested
- 4Pay the filing fee according to the amount listed on Form G-1055
- 5Mail the petition to the current USCIS filing address shown on www.uscis.gov/i-526
- 6Retain the mailing receipt or tracking number as proof of filing
Known limitations
- 1Not for investors pooling with others through a regional center (use Form I-526E instead)
- 2Not for businesses formed after November 29 1990
- 3Not for filing to the OMB address listed on page 11 of the instructions
- 4Not for investors who cannot demonstrate at least a 40 % increase in net worth or employee count
- 5Not for overseas petitioners who fail to attend the required biometrics appointment
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant Info
3 items
Your current legal name.
MM/DD/YYYY.
Alien Registration Number if previously assigned.
Details
1 items
The specific reason or legal basis for filing this form.
Evidence
1 items
List of documents supporting this application.
Signatures
2 items
Sign under penalty of perjury.
MM/DD/YYYY.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The form is the 01/20/25 edition, which expires 03/31/2027; the instructions direct filers to the USCIS website for the most current filing address.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision date reads 01/20/25
- Fee — verify the filing fee amount on Form G-1055
- Mailing address — confirm you are using the filing address listed on the USCIS website, not the OMB address
- Signature — ensure the petitioner signs the form before submission
- Biometrics appointment — verify overseas petitioners have scheduled and will attend a biometrics appointment
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a complete copy of the submitted petition for your records
- 2Save the mailing receipt or tracking number as proof of filing
- 3Monitor case status online through the USCIS website
- 4If you receive a biometrics appointment notice, attend and sign the oath
- 5Respond promptly to any USCIS request for original documents
- 6Notify USCIS of any address change within 10 days if you are not a U.S. citizen
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — purpose of Form I-526 is to petition for immigrant status under INA section 203(b)(5)
- SRCInstructions p.1 — investors must have a business formed on or before November 29, 1990 and show at least a 40% increase in net worth or employees
- SRCInstructions p.1 — investors pooling with others must use Form I-526E
- SRCInstructions p.1 — fee information is on Form G-1055
- SRCInstructions p.2 — overseas petitioners must attend a biometrics appointment and sign an oath
- SRCInstructions p.2 — submit legible photocopies unless original is specifically requested
- SRCInstructions p.9 — evidence required includes tax records, Forms I-9, a comprehensive business plan, and a government‑issued ID
- SRCInstructions p.9 — non‑citizens must notify USCIS of a new address within 10 days of moving
- SRCInstructions p.9 — do not mail completed Form I-526 to the OMB address listed on page 11
- SRCInstructions p.11 — OMB address is not a filing address
Common confusion points
Do I need to file Form I-526E instead?
Because I’m investing with a regional center
→ Confirm whether the investment is through a USCIS‑approved regional center
Where do I mail the petition?
Instructions list an OMB address that is not for filing
→ Check the current filing address on www.uscis.gov/i-526
Do I have to include my A-Number if I never received one?
The form asks for an A-Number but many investors don’t have one
→ Enter “N/A” when you have no A-Number
Is the filing fee printed on the I-526 form?
Fee details are on a separate form
→ Consult Form G-1055 for the correct fee amount
Do I need to submit original documents?
Instructions say copies unless specifically requested
→ Submit legible photocopies and keep originals ready if USCIS asks
What if I’m overseas?
Biometrics appointment requirements differ
→ Schedule and attend the biometrics appointment as instructed
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
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⚠ If something goes wrong
Questions about USCIS Form I-526
What is USCIS Form I-526 used for?
Form I-526 asks an investor to prove they are expanding a qualifying business with the required EB‑5 investment. It collects personal and business details and requires supporting documents. USCIS reviews it for completeness before deciding eligibility.
Who must file USCIS Form I-526?
Foreign investors who are expanding a business that was formed on or before November 29, 1990, by making the required EB‑5 investment must file USCIS Form I-526.
What information does USCIS Form I-526 require?
The petition gathers personal identifiers such as the Alien Registration Number and USCIS Online Account Number (Part 1), plus citizenship, birthplace, and business details listed on the form’s later parts.
Where do I file USCIS Form I-526?
Submit the completed Form I-526 to the filing address listed on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/i-526.
How do I complete USCIS Form I-526?
Type or print legibly in black ink and complete Part 1 with your A‑Number and OAN, if any. Attach required photocopies of tax records, Forms I‑9, a comprehensive business plan, and a government‑issued ID. If filing from abroad, attend the biometrics appointment and sign the oath. Sign the petition and send it to the address provided on the USCIS website.
What happens if USCIS Form I-526 is filed incorrectly?
If the petition is not properly completed, USCIS may reject or deny the filing.
Do I need to file Form I-526E instead?
Because I’m investing with a regional center Confirm whether the investment is through a USCIS‑approved regional center
Where do I mail the petition?
Instructions list an OMB address that is not for filing Check the current filing address on www.uscis.gov/i-526
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