The I-526 interview happens after an EB-5 investor’s I-526 petition has been approved and the investor files for conditional permanent resident status with the National Visa Center. The investor and each family member applying for a conditional green card will be interviewed by United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS). Children under 14 years of age will not be asked to complete an interview with USCIS.
The I-526 interview is one of two interviews that occur during the EB-5 visa process, barring special circumstances. The other interview is the I-829 interview. The I-526 interview is required for every single EB-5 visa applicant and their eligible family members. The I-829 interview, however, is only required if USCIS deems it necessary to gather more biometric or personal information on an investor and their eligible family members. In either case, EB-5 applicants will be notified in writing of each scheduled interview.
Once the investor’s I-526 application has been reviewed by the National Visa Center, the investor and their family will be notified by mail of when they are to be interviewed and what documentation they will be required to bring. The interview will take place at the U.S. consulate or embassy in the investor’s home country.
The I-526 interview is an immigration visa interview, designed to determine if an EB-5 applicant is eligible for admission into the United States. EB-5 investors and their eligible family members must review each of the documents they are required to bring to the interview to ensure all information is correct. All interviewees should also be prepared to answer any questions related to their documents.
Documents that will be required of EB-5 investors and their eligible family members include their passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, copies of their Form DS-260 submission, sealed medical examination results, divorce decrees, and more. Passports should be valid at least six months into the future from the applicant’s intended date of entry into the United States.
