September 12, 2025

Are Indian students tired of waiting decades for a US Green Card through the crowded H-1B visa lottery? You’re not alone! Many are now choosing the EB-5 investor visa, a faster ticket to permanent residency in the US, says Nadadur S. Kumar, founder and attorney at The Law Offices of Nadadur S. Kumar in California. Traditionally, Indian students come to the US on F-1 visas and work through Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT before trying their luck with an H-1B visa. But here’s the catch: Indians make up almost 70% of all H-1B applicants, yet only about 30% get selected in the annual lottery. Even those lucky chosen ones face a staggering wait of 15 to 24 years for their Green Cards because of strict per-country caps. Imagine waiting over two decades to settle down permanently! What’s the magic of EB-5? This visa lets you apply for a Green Card by investing in US projects that create jobs. Started in 1990 and revamped in the 2022 EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act, the programme offers two investment options: direct investment or going through Regional Centers that manage job-creating projects. Most Indians, about 95%, prefer the Regional Center route. The price tag? A minimum of $800,000 in rural or high-unemployment areas, and $1.05 million elsewhere. The big plus is that Indian EB-5 applicants can now enjoy reserved categories for rural and infrastructure projects, fixed investment amounts until 2027, and the perk of filing for adjustment of status while in the US. This means you can get a work permit within five months and travel authorization within six! Good news: As per the US Visa Bulletin for September 2025, EB-5 visas for Indians are current—meaning no waiting period now. But watch out, rising demand might cause delays later. Still, this route is far faster than the usual H-1B Green Card grind. You might ask, what about the money? Most investors get their capital back in four to six years. Nadadur Kumar shares, “Be very clear that your goal is to get the money back.” This is not about big profits but about securing your future in the US. Safety nets are in place too. The 2022 reforms introduced strict audits and oversight of Regional Centers to shield investors from fraud. Kumar adds that applicants are protected if all rules are followed, even in cases of fraud. How do Indian families manage the investment? Many arrange funds legally through remittances under India’s forex rules. Annually, about 1,000 EB-5 visas go to Indians, including some set aside for special projects. So, tired of the H-1B traffic jam? The EB-5 investor visa might just be your expressway to the American dream!

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Tags: Indian students, Eb-5 visa, H-1b delays, Us green card, Immigration, Investment visa,