Indians bet on $800,000 EB-5 visa to bypass decades-long Green Card queue

With long wait times stretching into decades for employment-based Green Cards, more Indians are turning to the US’s investment-linked Green Card route—the EB-5 program—for permanent residency. The scheme has become a preferred choice for H-1B visa holders and high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) seeking quicker, long-term settlement options in America.

Under the EB-5 program, applicants invest between $800,000 (about ₹7.1 crore) and $1,050,000 (about ₹9.3 crore), depending on the project and its location. The investment must help create or retain at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers. Investors usually route funds through regional centers approved by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which pool EB-5 capital into large-scale ventures. Over 90% of EB-5 applications in recent years have gone through these centers.

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Gold Card Raises Uncertainty
The program’s stability was tested recently after US President Donald Trump announced a new “Gold Card” initiative. The executive order signed on September 19 proposes that individuals contribute an unrestricted gift of $1 million (about ₹8.4 crore) to the US Department of Commerce to qualify, or $2 million (₹16.8 crore) if the contribution is made through a company.

While the Gold Card framework is still being finalised, it differs from EB-5 as it involves a fee rather than an investment that could yield returns. Immigration lawyers note that although the EB-5 Regional Center Program is authorised until 2027 under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) of 2022, future uncertainties remain. The Act’s “grandfathering clause” protects those who invest before September 2026 from potential lapses, which has reassured investors.

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Growing Interest from India
USCIS data shows that the EB-5 program attracted $4.1 billion during the first three quarters of FY2025—nearly matching the total for all of FY2024. Since the RIA came into effect in 2022, between 1,050 and 1,150 Indians have filed EB-5 applications, making India the second-largest source of applicants globally with around 20–22% of new filings.

“Most people still believe that once their child gets into a decent US university, they can build a career there,” Piyush Gupta, vice-president of CanAm Enterprises, which manages several licensed regional centers, told TOI. “Uncertainties arising out of ever-changing and tightening H-1B policies prompt many to explore EB-5,” he added.

For many, family considerations outweigh financial ones. Prahlad Purohit, a 43-year-old engineer from Mumbai working at Google, told TOI he opted for EB-5 after realising his two India-born children could lose their dependent visa status upon turning 21. “My son couldn’t even apply for internships because he wasn’t a resident,” Purohit said from San Francisco. “Both my children grew up here, they don’t know the system in India. That’s when I chose EB-5.”

Purohit said the investment landscape can be overwhelming. “It’s like the Wild West, with many claiming they’re the best and promising exorbitant returns—from almond farms to hotel chains,” he recalled. “I finally chose a real estate development in Manhattan building a corporate skyscraper.”

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A Risky but Preferred Route
Despite its high costs and risks, EB-5 remains an attractive option for those seeking security in US immigration. “For many of our clients, this isn’t about returns—it’s about certainty,” Gupta said. “They’d rather invest in a project than a house if it means their family never has to rely on the H-1B visa lottery again.”

As Green Card backlogs continue to grow, the EB-5 program—while demanding—offers a tangible path for Indian professionals and families aiming to build a permanent life in the United States.