diff --git a/contracts/agent-vault/src/lib.rs b/contracts/agent-vault/src/lib.rs
index 57f5b6e..f3472a4 100644
--- a/contracts/agent-vault/src/lib.rs
+++ b/contracts/agent-vault/src/lib.rs
@@ -33,6 +33,17 @@ pub struct DepositEvent {
     pub amount: i128,
 }
 
+#[contractevent]
+pub struct DepositForEvent {
+    #[topic]
+    pub from: Address,
+    #[topic]
+    pub user: Address,
+    #[topic]
+    pub asset: Address,
+    pub amount: i128,
+}
+
 #[contractevent]
 pub struct WithdrawEvent {
     #[topic]
@@ -452,6 +463,60 @@ impl AgentVault {
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    /// Deposit supported tokens from an external wallet into another user's vault balance.
+    /// The caller (`from`) is the funder — their wallet is debited. The deposit is
+    /// credited to `user`'s vault account for the given asset.
+    pub fn deposit_for(
+        env: Env,
+        from: Address,
+        user: Address,
+        asset: Address,
+        amount: i128,
+    ) -> Result<(), VaultError> {
+        from.require_auth();
+        Self::require_not_paused(&env)?;
+        if amount <= 0 {
+            return Err(VaultError::InvalidAmount);
+        }
+        if !Self::is_supported_asset(env.clone(), asset.clone()) {
+            return Err(VaultError::AssetNotSupported);
+        }
+
+        Self::extend_instance_ttl(&env);
+        let token_client = token::Client::new(&env, &asset);
+        token_client.transfer(&from, env.current_contract_address(), &amount);
+
+        let config = Self::get_or_create_config(&env, &user);
+        let config_key = DataKey::UserConfig(user.clone());
+        env.storage().persistent().set(&config_key, &config);
+        Self::extend_persistent_ttl(&env, &config_key);
+
+        let mut asset_account = Self::get_or_create_asset_account(&env, &user, &asset);
+        asset_account.balance += amount;
+        asset_account.total_deposited += amount;
+        let asset_key = DataKey::UserAsset(user.clone(), asset.clone());
+        env.storage().persistent().set(&asset_key, &asset_account);
+        Self::extend_persistent_ttl(&env, &asset_key);
+
+        DepositForEvent {
+            from: from.clone(),
+            user: user.clone(),
+            asset: asset.clone(),
+            amount,
+        }
+        .publish(&env);
+        log!(
+            &env,
+            "deposit_for from={} user={} asset={} amount={} new_balance={}",
+            from,
+            user,
+            asset,
+            amount,
+            asset_account.balance
+        );
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     /// Withdraw tokens from vault back to user's external wallet.
     /// Only the unlocked portion (`balance - locked`) of the given asset may be
     /// withdrawn; funds locked by active tasks for that asset stay reserved, so a
diff --git a/contracts/agent-vault/src/tests.rs b/contracts/agent-vault/src/tests.rs
index 27e0e51..a03b631 100644
--- a/contracts/agent-vault/src/tests.rs
+++ b/contracts/agent-vault/src/tests.rs
@@ -155,6 +155,140 @@ fn test_deposit_negative_fails() {
     assert!(result == Err(Ok(VaultError::InvalidAmount)));
 }
 
+// 2b. Deposit For Tests
+
+#[test]
+fn test_deposit_for_success() {
+    let test_env = setup_test();
+    test_env.client.init(&test_env.admin, &test_env.usdc_sac);
+
+    let from = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let user = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+
+    test_env.token_admin_client.mint(&from, &1000);
+    assert_eq!(test_env.token_client.balance(&from), 1000);
+
+    test_env.client.deposit_for(&from, &user, &test_env.usdc_sac, &400);
+
+    // from's wallet debited, contract credited
+    assert_eq!(test_env.token_client.balance(&from), 600);
+    assert_eq!(test_env.token_client.balance(&test_env.contract_id), 400);
+
+    // user's vault account credited
+    let account = test_env
+        .client
+        .get_account(&user, &test_env.usdc_sac)
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(account.balance, 400);
+    assert_eq!(account.total_deposited, 400);
+
+    // from has no vault account (deposit_for does not credit the funder)
+    assert!(test_env.client.get_account(&from, &test_env.usdc_sac).is_none());
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_deposit_for_zero_fails() {
+    let test_env = setup_test();
+    test_env.client.init(&test_env.admin, &test_env.usdc_sac);
+    let from = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let user = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let result = test_env.client.try_deposit_for(&from, &user, &test_env.usdc_sac, &0);
+    assert!(result == Err(Ok(VaultError::InvalidAmount)));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_deposit_for_negative_fails() {
+    let test_env = setup_test();
+    test_env.client.init(&test_env.admin, &test_env.usdc_sac);
+    let from = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let user = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let result = test_env.client.try_deposit_for(&from, &user, &test_env.usdc_sac, &-50);
+    assert!(result == Err(Ok(VaultError::InvalidAmount)));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_deposit_for_non_whitelisted_asset_fails() {
+    let test_env = setup_test();
+    test_env.client.init(&test_env.admin, &test_env.usdc_sac);
+
+    let from = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let user = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let xlm_sac = test_env
+        .env
+        .register_stellar_asset_contract_v2(test_env.admin.clone())
+        .address();
+
+    let result = test_env.client.try_deposit_for(&from, &user, &xlm_sac, &200);
+    assert!(result == Err(Ok(VaultError::AssetNotSupported)));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_deposit_for_multiple_funders() {
+    let test_env = setup_test();
+    test_env.client.init(&test_env.admin, &test_env.usdc_sac);
+
+    let from1 = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let from2 = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let user = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+
+    test_env.token_admin_client.mint(&from1, &500);
+    test_env.token_admin_client.mint(&from2, &500);
+
+    test_env.client.deposit_for(&from1, &user, &test_env.usdc_sac, &200);
+    test_env.client.deposit_for(&from2, &user, &test_env.usdc_sac, &300);
+
+    let account = test_env
+        .client
+        .get_account(&user, &test_env.usdc_sac)
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(account.balance, 500);
+    assert_eq!(account.total_deposited, 500);
+
+    assert_eq!(test_env.token_client.balance(&from1), 300);
+    assert_eq!(test_env.token_client.balance(&from2), 200);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_deposit_for_user_can_withdraw() {
+    let test_env = setup_test();
+    test_env.client.init(&test_env.admin, &test_env.usdc_sac);
+
+    let from = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let user = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+
+    test_env.token_admin_client.mint(&from, &500);
+    test_env.client.deposit_for(&from, &user, &test_env.usdc_sac, &300);
+
+    // user can withdraw the deposited funds
+    test_env.client.withdraw(&user, &test_env.usdc_sac, &100);
+    assert_eq!(test_env.client.get_balance(&user, &test_env.usdc_sac), 200);
+    assert_eq!(test_env.token_client.balance(&user), 100);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_deposit_for_user_can_create_task() {
+    let test_env = setup_test();
+    test_env.client.init(&test_env.admin, &test_env.usdc_sac);
+
+    let from = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let user = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let orchestrator = Address::generate(&test_env.env);
+    let name = soroban_sdk::String::from_str(&test_env.env, "MyOrchestrator");
+
+    test_env.token_admin_client.mint(&from, &500);
+    test_env.client.deposit_for(&from, &user, &test_env.usdc_sac, &300);
+    test_env
+        .client
+        .register_orchestrator(&user, &orchestrator, &name);
+
+    let task_id = test_env
+        .client
+        .create_task(&orchestrator, &test_env.usdc_sac, &200);
+    let task = test_env.client.get_task(&task_id).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(task.user, user);
+    assert_eq!(task.plan_cost, 200);
+}
+
 // 3. Withdraw Tests
 
 #[test]
diff --git a/packages/dashboard/src/lib/vault-client.ts b/packages/dashboard/src/lib/vault-client.ts
index 23cb817..6c95ec2 100644
--- a/packages/dashboard/src/lib/vault-client.ts
+++ b/packages/dashboard/src/lib/vault-client.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,21 @@ export async function buildDepositXdr(userAddress: string, amount: number): Prom
   return data.xdr;
 }
 
+export async function buildDepositForXdr(
+  funderAddress: string,
+  recipientAddress: string,
+  amount: number,
+): Promise<string> {
+  const res = await fetch(`${BASE}/api/vault/deposit-for-xdr`, {
+    method: 'POST',
+    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+    body: JSON.stringify({ funder_address: funderAddress, recipient_address: recipientAddress, amount }),
+  });
+  const data = await res.json();
+  if (!res.ok) throw new Error(data.error ?? 'Failed to build deposit_for XDR');
+  return data.xdr;
+}
+
 export async function buildWithdrawXdr(userAddress: string, amount: number): Promise<string> {
   const res = await fetch(`${BASE}/api/vault/withdraw-xdr`, {
     method: 'POST',
diff --git a/packages/orchestrator/src/agent-vault-client.ts b/packages/orchestrator/src/agent-vault-client.ts
index de62936..68f026c 100644
--- a/packages/orchestrator/src/agent-vault-client.ts
+++ b/packages/orchestrator/src/agent-vault-client.ts
@@ -166,6 +166,23 @@ export async function buildDepositXdr(
   ]);
 }
 
+/**
+ * Build an unsigned `deposit_for` XDR for the funder to sign in Freighter.
+ * Transfers `amountUsdc` from the funder's wallet into `recipientAddress`'s vault balance.
+ */
+export async function buildDepositForXdr(
+  funderAddress: string,
+  recipientAddress: string,
+  amountUsdc: number,
+): Promise<string | null> {
+  if (!VAULT_ACTIVE) return null;
+  return buildUnsignedXdr(funderAddress, 'deposit_for', [
+    new Address(funderAddress).toScVal(),
+    new Address(recipientAddress).toScVal(),
+    nativeToScVal(usdcToStroops(amountUsdc), { type: 'i128' }),
+  ]);
+}
+
 /**
  * Build an unsigned `withdraw` XDR for the user to sign in Freighter.
  * Fails on-chain if `amountUsdc` exceeds the user's available (unlocked) balance.
diff --git a/packages/orchestrator/src/server.ts b/packages/orchestrator/src/server.ts
index d138ff2..28fa0aa 100644
--- a/packages/orchestrator/src/server.ts
+++ b/packages/orchestrator/src/server.ts
@@ -638,6 +638,26 @@ app.post('/api/vault/deposit-xdr', async (req, res) => {
   }
 });
 
+// POST /api/vault/deposit-for-xdr — build unsigned deposit_for XDR (third-party funding)
+app.post('/api/vault/deposit-for-xdr', async (req, res) => {
+  const { funder_address, recipient_address, amount } = req.body as {
+    funder_address?: string;
+    recipient_address?: string;
+    amount?: number;
+  };
+  if (!funder_address || !recipient_address || !amount || amount <= 0) {
+    return res.status(400).json({ error: 'funder_address, recipient_address, and amount required' });
+  }
+  try {
+    const { buildDepositForXdr } = await import('./agent-vault-client.js');
+    const xdr = await buildDepositForXdr(funder_address, recipient_address, amount);
+    if (!xdr) return res.status(503).json({ error: 'AgentVault contract not configured' });
+    res.json({ xdr });
+  } catch (err: any) {
+    res.status(500).json({ error: err.message });
+  }
+});
+
 // POST /api/vault/withdraw-xdr — build unsigned withdraw XDR
 app.post('/api/vault/withdraw-xdr', async (req, res) => {
   const { user_address, amount } = req.body as { user_address?: string; amount?: number };