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SOURCE OF FUNDS READINESS

Know the documents your funds will need.

Source of funds is the most scrutinized part of an EB-5 petition. Pick where your investment will come from to see the documents to gather and the common pitfalls to avoid. This is an educational checklist to help you prepare, not individual immigration advice.

Select your source of funds

Stock portfolio / equity comp Loan against assets Cash savings Sale of real estate Sale of a business Business income / distributions Gift from a family member Inheritance Legal settlement / divorce Other source

Documents to gather

Stock portfolio / equity comp

  • Brokerage statements from account opening to present
  • Pay statements behind every contribution
  • RSU grant and vesting records if applicable
  • Tax returns for the relevant years

Common pitfalls

  • Showing the balance without showing what funded it
  • Gaps in records from when the account was opened

Required for every source

  • Personal income tax returns for the previous five years where available.
  • Certified English translations of all foreign-language documents.
  • A clear path of funds from origin through every transfer to the project account.

Documents to gather

Loan against assets

  • Loan agreement
  • Evidence of collateral ownership and value
  • Proof you are personally and primarily liable
  • The lender’s lawful source if not a bank

Common pitfalls

  • A loan secured by the EB-5 investment itself does not qualify
  • Below-market or private loans draw scrutiny

Required for every source

  • Personal income tax returns for the previous five years where available.
  • Certified English translations of all foreign-language documents.
  • A clear path of funds from origin through every transfer to the project account.

Documents to gather

Cash savings

  • Tax returns covering the accumulation years
  • Pay or income records
  • Bank statements showing the build-up

Common pitfalls

  • Every year of accumulation must be explained
  • This is the lengthiest trail to prove

Required for every source

  • Personal income tax returns for the previous five years where available.
  • Certified English translations of all foreign-language documents.
  • A clear path of funds from origin through every transfer to the project account.

Documents to gather

Sale of real estate

  • Title or deed
  • Sale agreement and closing statement
  • Evidence of the original purchase

Common pitfalls

  • Documenting the sale but not the lawful acquisition
  • Original purchase funded by an undocumented gift or loan

Required for every source

  • Personal income tax returns for the previous five years where available.
  • Certified English translations of all foreign-language documents.
  • A clear path of funds from origin through every transfer to the project account.

Documents to gather

Sale of a business

  • Business registration and ownership records
  • Signed sale agreement
  • Proof of proceeds received

Common pitfalls

  • Insufficient ownership records
  • Proceeds not yet received or buyer uncommitted

Required for every source

  • Personal income tax returns for the previous five years where available.
  • Certified English translations of all foreign-language documents.
  • A clear path of funds from origin through every transfer to the project account.

Documents to gather

Business income / distributions

  • Incorporation documents and share certificates
  • Financial statements and tax filings
  • Distribution records tied to taxed profit

Common pitfalls

  • Distributions not tied to documented profit
  • Scrutiny of cash withdrawals and intercompany transfers

Required for every source

  • Personal income tax returns for the previous five years where available.
  • Certified English translations of all foreign-language documents.
  • A clear path of funds from origin through every transfer to the project account.

Documents to gather

Gift from a family member

  • Gift letter stating the gift is unconditional
  • Full documentation of the donor’s lawful source
  • Proof of the donor relationship and the transfer

Common pitfalls

  • A gift documented only as family money is a top denial driver
  • A gift conditioned on repayment is treated as a loan

Required for every source

  • Personal income tax returns for the previous five years where available.
  • Certified English translations of all foreign-language documents.
  • A clear path of funds from origin through every transfer to the project account.

Documents to gather

Inheritance

  • Will or estate-administrator documents
  • Records of the estate’s lawful origin if requested

Common pitfalls

  • Proving receipt but not lawful origin
  • Thin or missing probate records

Required for every source

  • Personal income tax returns for the previous five years where available.
  • Certified English translations of all foreign-language documents.
  • A clear path of funds from origin through every transfer to the project account.

Documents to gather

Legal settlement / divorce

  • Certified copy of the judgment or settlement

Common pitfalls

  • Uncertified or partial copies
  • Unexplained gap between the award and funds on hand

Required for every source

  • Personal income tax returns for the previous five years where available.
  • Certified English translations of all foreign-language documents.
  • A clear path of funds from origin through every transfer to the project account.

Documents to gather

Other source

  • Documentation establishing lawful earning or acquisition
  • Full path of funds to the investment

Common pitfalls

  • Undocumented origin
  • Cash anywhere in the chain creates a gap

Required for every source

  • Personal income tax returns for the previous five years where available.
  • Certified English translations of all foreign-language documents.
  • A clear path of funds from origin through every transfer to the project account.

This checklist is educational and is not individual immigration or legal advice. Legal interpretation is routed to immigration attorneys. Collect categories of documents only; do not share account numbers or balances here.