Quick answer
What is USCIS Form I-526 used for?
The form is used by a standalone investor to petition USCIS for status as an immigrant to the United States under section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended.
I-526 is the petition for a standalone EB-5 investor
Form I-526 is for an investor pursuing EB-5 classification through a standalone investment rather than investment through the Regional Center Program. The petition must connect the investor, lawful source and path of funds, qualifying new commercial enterprise, required capital, business activity, and job-creation plan under the applicable rules.
Do not interchange I-526 with Form I-526E, which is designed for regional center investors, or with the later petition used to remove conditions from permanent resident status. Organize the ownership and transaction record chronologically, reconcile the business plan with financial and operational evidence, and document every transfer in the path of funds. EB-5 filings are evidence-heavy and financially consequential, so coordinated immigration, corporate, tax, and source-of-funds review may be appropriate.
What to prepare before filling I-526
- 01
Confirm that Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor, matches the specific benefit, request, verification, or record you need.
- 02
Download the current Form I-526 and its separate instructions from USCIS, then compare the edition date before typing any answers.
- 03
For Form I-526, collect the identity records, receipt or account numbers, dates, addresses, and prior immigration documents that support your answers.
- 04
Because Form I-526 concerns employment or business activity, reconcile employer, job, wage, ownership, and work-authorization facts with the supporting records.
Current official filing details
The details below are condensed from the USCIS page reviewed on 2026-07-26. Follow the official page and instructions if they differ from this snapshot.
Edition date
01/20/25. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Where to file
Please check our Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Standalone Investor, and Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor, page for information on where to mail your petition. Petitions that are not submitted to the correct address may experience processing delays.
Filing fee
You can find the filing fee for Form I-526 by visiting our Fee Schedule page.
Special instructions
You will receive separate receipt notices for a properly filed Form I-526. The first notice you should expect to receive will be from the USCIS lockbox, acknowledging receipt of your Form I-526 and the total fee amount received and processed.
We will then issue a formal receipt notice that includes the assigned receipt number for the application when data entry has been completed.
Official I-526 downloads and filing links
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What is Form I-526 used for?
The form is used by a standalone investor to petition USCIS for status as an immigrant to the United States under section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended.
How much does Form I-526 cost?
You can find the filing fee for Form I-526 by visiting our Fee Schedule page.
Can I file Form I-526 online?
The USCIS all-forms directory does not list a general online filing option for this form. Follow the official page for the required filing method.
Related USCIS form guides
Employment & business
Form I-526E
Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor
Employment & business
Form I-9
Employment Eligibility Verification
Employment & business
Form I-129
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
Employment & business
Form I-129CWR
Semiannual Report for CW-1 Employers
Employment & business
Form I-140
Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers
Employment & business
Form I-485 Supplement J
Confirmation of Valid Job Offer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section 204(j)
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Independent guide by Clerks AI; not affiliated with USCIS and not legal advice.
Last researched 2026-07-26. Recheck the official page before filing.