Using ChatGPT to Determine Source of Funds Requirements

For many international investors, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a compelling opportunity: a path to U.S. permanent residency through investment. But navigating the EB-5 process can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to the “source of funds” requirement.

If you’re an investor considering the EB-5 route, chances are you’ve heard the phrase “source of funds”, but aren’t entirely sure what it means, what’s required, or how it all works.

The good news is that you’re not expected to figure it all out on your own. Immigration attorneys are your key partners in documenting and preparing your source of funds. But there’s an even newer tool that’s helping savvy investors become better informed: ChatGPT.

In this article, we’ll explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can help you better understand what’s required when it comes to source of funds, ask smarter questions, and collaborate more effectively with your legal team.

What Does “Source of Funds” Mean?

When you apply for the EB-5 program, one of the most important things you’ll need to prove is that the money you’re investing was obtained legally. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has strict rules around this, and your application must include detailed documentation that clearly traces your investment funds from their origin all the way to the EB-5 investment.

This is referred to as your source and path of funds.

So, if your EB-5 capital came from, say, the sale of real estate, you’ll need to provide documents proving how you purchased the property, how it appreciated, how it was sold, and how those proceeds ended up in your investment account. If the money came from savings, a gift, or business earnings, each of those scenarios has its own documentation requirements.

It can get complicated, especially when money has passed through several accounts, currencies, or countries. That’s where a qualified EB-5 immigration attorney comes in, but also where AI tools like ChatGPT can support your understanding.

How ChatGPT Can Help

ChatGPT is clearly not a substitute for legal advice. It cannot replace your immigration attorney, and it shouldn’t be used to prepare legal filings. What it can do, however, is help you become a more informed investor, and that can make a big difference.

Think of ChatGPT as your personal research assistant. It’s there to answer your questions, help you understand unfamiliar terms, and break down complex concepts into more digestible information. When it comes to EB-5 source of funds, ChatGPT can help you:

• Understand the types of documents typically required for different fund sources.
• Learn how USCIS evaluates the legitimacy of funds.
• Get a sense of red flags or risk factors you should be aware of.
• Prepare questions to ask your attorney.
• Clarify what you should be gathering ahead of your legal consultations.

When asked what documentation is needed as a first step for EB-5 investors to prove source of funds, ChatGPT responded on September 25 with the following:

“When EB-5 investors first begin preparing to document their source of funds, USCIS expects clear evidence that the investment capital was obtained lawfully. The specific documents vary depending on how the money was earned or transferred, but generally, investors should gather:

• Personal financial records: Bank statements, wire transfer records, and evidence showing the path of funds from the original source to the EB-5 investment account.
• Tax documents: Local and national income tax returns, wage statements, or other tax filings covering several years.
• Employment or business records: Pay slips, employment contracts, audited financial statements, or business registration/licensing documents.
• Sale of property: Deeds, contracts of sale, proof of ownership, and bank statements showing the receipt of sale proceeds.
• Loans: Loan agreements, collateral documentation, and bank records showing disbursement and repayment terms (unsecured loans are also acceptable after the Zhang case, if lawfully obtained).
• Gifts: A signed gift affidavit from the donor, plus proof of the donor’s lawful source of funds and evidence of the transfer.
• Inheritance: A will, probate documents, court orders, or other legal records confirming the inheritance, plus bank statements showing the transfer.
• Currency exchanges or transfers: Receipts and banking records proving lawful transfer of funds out of the home country.

As a first step, investors usually identify their primary source of funds (salary, business income, property sale, etc.) and begin collecting the corresponding documentation to create a clear “money trail” from origin to EB-5 project account.”

Using Multiple Sources of Income

Let’s say your EB-5 capital is made up of savings from your salary over ten years, a partial inheritance from a family member, and a loan you secured.

That’s a pretty typical scenario, and one that involves three different source-of-funds categories.

You might ask ChatGPT:

“What documents are needed to prove EB-5 source of funds if the investment is from salary savings, inheritance, and a loan?”

ChatGPT could explain that you may need:

• Employment verification letters and pay stubs for the salary.
• Tax returns or bank statements showing consistent deposits.
• Legal documents regarding the inheritance, such as a will or notarized statement.
• Loan agreement documents and proof that the lender is legitimate.

You could follow up with a question like:

“Is it a problem if the salary savings were held in multiple international accounts before being transferred to the U.S.?”

Now you’re thinking like an EB-5 adjudicator, which is exactly the kind of informed mindset you want to bring to your consultations.

Understanding the Legal Thresholds

One of the more frustrating parts of the EB-5 process is how much of it can feel vague. For example, what does it really mean to “prove” that your money is lawful? Does USCIS need every single bank statement going back 10 years? What if your country doesn’t issue certain documents?

ChatGPT can’t give you a definitive answer for your case, but it can explain the general standards USCIS uses and how others in similar situations have typically handled it.

You can ask:

“How far back does USCIS expect documentation to go for EB-5 source of funds?”

Or:

“What if I don’t have a paper trail for a cash gift I received five years ago?”

These kinds of inquiries can give you a framework to work on, and more importantly, they help you avoid wasting time or making assumptions.

Collaborating More Effectively With Your Attorney

A well-informed client makes the process smoother for attorneys, as well.

If you come into your initial consultation with a basic understanding of what source of funds means, the types of documents that are usually needed, and the general logic behind USCIS requirements, your attorney can spend more time crafting a strong case instead of explaining fundamentals.

For instance, ChatGPT can help you:

• Draft a preliminary list of fund sources.
• Identify documents you already have (and those you’ll need to request).
• Clarify any uncertainties before your attorney meeting.
• Prepare a summary of your financial history in a more organized way.

This can save time and help reduce stress. When you’re better prepared, the whole process feels less mysterious.

Caveats and Common Misconceptions

There are a few things to keep in mind as you use ChatGPT or any other AI tool during your EB-5 journey:

• ChatGPT doesn’t know your specific situation. What works for one investor might not be suitable for another. Always verify information with your legal team.
• Laws and policies can change. While ChatGPT is trained on a large amount of information, it may not always have the most up-to-date legal insights. If you’re unsure, ask your attorney or consult government resources.
• AI may not be able to review your documents. While it can explain what a “gift affidavit” is, it may not be able to tell you whether your version meets USCIS standards.
• Context matters. A transaction that looks simple on paper may have implications under EB-5 rules. AI tools can’t always catch those subtleties.

Using AI Wisely in Your EB-5 Journey

Going through the EB-5 process is a major investment—not just financially, but also in terms of your future. And like any big decision, the more informed you are, the better choices you can make.

ChatGPT can help you become a more informed participant in your immigration journey. By using it wisely, you can get a better grasp of what’s involved in documenting your source of funds, ask sharper questions, and approach the process with more clarity and less confusion.

So, whether you’re just starting to explore EB-5 or are already gathering your financial documents, consider asking ChatGPT a few questions. It might not have all the answers, but it can help you start asking the right ones.

And while ChatGPT can help you get started, the guidance of an experienced team is key for success.

EB5AN has helped more than 2,700 families from 70+ countries become lawful permanent residents of the United States. Our expert team has more than a decade of experience and offers clients first-rate, low-risk EB-5 regional center projects with a 100% USCIS project approval rate.

If you would like to know more about your EB-5 investment options, book a free call with our expert team today.