Hong Kong
Taiwan
VietnamShort answer: EB-5 investment funds must come from a lawful source. USCIS wants the full chain—how the money was earned, accumulated and transferred into the project—not just a bank balance. Common sources include salary savings, property sales, equity/dividends, gifts and inheritance; each must be documentable end to end.
Common source paths
| Source | Core documents | Practical notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salary / bonus savings | Tax returns, payslips, bank statements | Income and deposit timeline must align |
| Property sale | Sale contract, transfer, proceeds credited | How the property was originally bought may also matter |
| Company dividends / shareholder loans | Company accounts, resolutions, tax | Lawfulness of the company’s own funds |
| Gift | Donor’s source + gift agreement + transfer | The donor must also show a lawful source |
| Inheritance | Will/estate papers, distribution proof | Decedent’s source may need support |
See US EB-5 Investor Immigration.
What I-526E review focuses on
- Whether the amount covers the minimum investment plus traceable admin/fees (per project structure);
- Whether large inflows and outflows have a reasonable explanation;
- Whether funds entered the project through verifiable banking channels;
- Whether third parties (donors, companies) are fully explained.
Common RFE triggers: gaps in statements, weak donor source, post-sale account mismatches, unclear FX and intermediary accounts.
Global Immigrate’s recommendation
- Draw a funds timeline before collecting documents so gaps appear early.
- Treat a donor’s source with the same standard as the principal’s.
- Keep originals and clean scans; use qualified translators for Chinese–English.
- Align the project’s capital path (escrow/account) with the personal source narrative.
FAQ
Q: Is a large bank balance enough?
A: No. You must show how the balance was lawfully built and moved into the investment.
Q: Do parents who gift funds need tax returns?
A: You usually need documents proving the donor’s lawful source; tax returns are often part of that set.
Q: Can several small sources be combined?
A: Yes, if each path is explained and the combined total matches the transfer record.
Data current as of November 2026. General information only; not legal advice. Individual results vary.