Form I-526 is the first step in U.S. investor immigration. Once the I-526 petition is approved, if the investor is in China, they must attend an immigration interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou. So, what exactly does the I-526 process entail?
I. What documents are submitted to USCIS during the I-526 stage?
1. Project documentation;
2. Applicant's personal information;
3. Proof of the lawful source of investment funds;
4. Currency exchange documentation (i.e., records showing how RMB was converted into USD).
II. What are the common sources of investment funds?
1. Sale of real estate;
2. Corporate dividends;
3. Parental gifts.
III. How long after submission to USCIS will the receipt notice be received?
Usually about two weeks.
IV. What is the meaning and purpose of the priority date?
The priority date is the date USCIS received the applicant's I-526 petition and completed the filing, which can be found on the receipt notice issued by USCIS. Additionally, in the event of a visa backlog, this date determines the processing order for U.S. immigrant visas.
V. What is the average processing time for the I-526 stage?
The average processing time for Form I-526 is subject to change. The latest average processing times published by USCIS can be found on their official website. As of August 31, 2014, the average processing time for I-526 was 14.2 months.
VI. What happens after the U.S. investor immigration I-526 is approved?
1. After I-526 approval, you must prepare Form DS-230, police clearance certificates, and other notarized documents for submission to the National Visa Center (NVC). Once the NVC reviews and approves the applicant's documents, they will forward the file to the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou for scheduling the interview;
2. Generally, the Guangzhou Consulate will issue an interview appointment letter and a medical examination notice one month in advance, requiring the applicant to undergo a medical exam at a designated hospital. On the scheduled date, the applicant must attend the interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou with their medical report and application documents.
3. Seven business days after the interview is passed, the Guangzhou Consulate will issue an immigrant visa to the applicant. The applicant must use the immigrant visa to enter the United States within its validity period to process their Green Card.
