Do I need to have made a deposit before submitting the I-526?

There is no strict rule requiring a completed deposit before submitting the I-526 petition. What the EB-5 program requires is that you demonstrate your funds are committed and effectively ‘at risk’ in the venture, not merely promised.

In practice, this typically means the capital has already been allocated, often into an escrow account, or transferred to the entity receiving the investment. This structure reinforces that the funds are genuinely exposed to the business risk, as the program requires.

Each project has its own specifics: some may require that certain steps, such as a deposit into a designated account, be completed before submission, or a detailed showing of how the funds were allocated. For that reason, gather the documentation that proves the lawful source and commitment of the funds.

Because the requirements are technical and can vary, the safest approach is to confirm the current rules directly with the official source (USCIS) and structure the investment with the guidance of a specialist, avoiding offers that promise shortcuts.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.