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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Donald Trump's crackdown on student visas triggers EB-5 rush among Indians chasing Green Cards through investment
Tighter restrictions around US student visas are leading many Indian families to consider the EB-5 visa route, which allows foreign investors to apply for permanent residency by investing $800,000 (approximately ₹7 crore) in targeted US projects. The shift is particularly evident among international students aged 19 to 24, especially those studying computer science, biotech, and finance. This visa is now being viewed as a reliable alternative to the traditional student visa path. EB-5 applications rise among Indian F-1 visa holders Immigration lawyers report a noticeable increase in interest from Indian students currently on F-1 visas. Rajneesh Pathak, founder of immigration law firm Global North Residency and Citizenship, stated that while the EB-5 route was earlier dominated by H-1B visa holders, 'the interest from F-1 visa holders has risen by 100% over the last few months.' This trend gained traction during the final phase of President Donald Trump's second term, when many began reassessing their long-term residency options in the US. Political climate drives parents toward investment visas Parents are also playing a significant role in the shift. Given the unpredictable political environment and increasing scrutiny of international students, families are opting for the EB-5 route as a precaution. Pathak noted that many parents are 'willing to invest in EB-5 to secure the future of their children.' With F-1 visa processes becoming less predictable—due to delays, stricter social media monitoring, and tighter work permissions—the EB-5 is viewed as a more dependable alternative. High demand meets limited supply: A visa cap challenge Despite its advantages, the EB-5 visa has a fixed annual cap. India is allotted approximately 700 EB-5 visas per year, including for family dependents. With over 86,000 Indian students studying in the US in 2024 alone, experts predict rising competition for these limited slots. Legal advisors warn that this increasing demand could eventually lead to longer processing times, which may impact applicants looking for faster pathways to residency. A premium option for those who can afford it The EB-5 visa differs significantly from the F-1 student visa. While F-1 is a temporary, non-immigrant visa with limited work flexibility, EB-5 provides a direct route to a Green Card. For those who can afford the investment, the program offers long-term security, fewer restrictions, and faster processing—some green cards are reportedly processed in as little as three months. As political and administrative uncertainty grows, the EB-5 program is emerging as a serious alternative for Indian students looking to secure their future in the United States.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
What is EB-5 visa? With Donald Trump administration cracking down on student visas, Indians explore this route for a path to Green Card
US President Donald Trump's mounting restrictions on student visas, has many Indians presently in the US and prospective college applicants considering the EB-5 visa route. This visa scheme offers a route to permanent residency or for foreign investors who contribute $800,000 (approximately Rs 7 crore). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now International students at prestigious global universities are increasingly finding themselves caught in political and administrative conflicts, according to experts. Previously, status adjustments enabled students to remain in the US whilst obtaining work and travel permissions. Immigration lawyers have witnessed a doubling of EB-5 applications from Indian students during the last four to five months of Donald Trump's second presidential term. The current US administration's less welcoming stance towards international students has prompted those aged 19-24, particularly in sought-after disciplines such as computer science, biotech and finance, to increasingly pursue EB-5 visas. EB-5 visa demand The annual quota for this category is restricted, with India allocated roughly 700 visas. Given that the US remains the preferred destination for higher education, with 86,000 Indians enrolled in 2024, experts anticipate intense competition for EB-5 visas this year. "There is a sharp jump in EB-5 applications," Rajneesh Pathak, founder of Global North Residency and Citizenship, an immigration law firm, told ET. "But unlike previous years, when we had most-ly H-1B visa holders applying, the interest from F-1 visa holders has risen by 100% over the last few months." Also Read | The non-immigrant F-1 visa permits international students to enter and remain in the US for full-time academic studies, offering limited work permissions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to experts, parents are exercising extra caution given the current US political climate. "They are willing to invest in EB-5 to secure the future of their children," said Pathak. Recent developments contributing to widespread concern include the suspension of new F-1 visa appointments, conflict between the Trump administration and Harvard University, stricter F-1 visa regulations, intensive review of students' documentation including social media activity, SEVIS system technical issues, and enhanced scrutiny at entry points. "The F-1 visa, once as a bridge to opportunity, now feels like a tightrope," said Akshat Gupta, head of India & UAE, US Immigration Fund (USIF), an EB-5 Regional Centre operator. Since January, USIF has witnessed a 100% increase in F-1 visa holders applying for EB-5 visas compared to 2024. US legal practice Chugh LLP reports a significant increase in EB-5 applications from Indian students holding F-1 visas. Also Read | "Roughly one-third of my new immigration consultations now involve students worried about how US politics could affect their status," said Navneet S Chugh, attorney, who runs the firm. The firm's EB-5 enquiries from students have risen from one or two quarterly last year to five to seven monthly this spring. "The Harvard dispute simply reminds them how quickly rules can change," said another lawyer. Davies and Associates, a US-based immigration law firm, reports substantial enquiries from Indian students and H-1B visa holders interested in pursuing the EB-5 visa pathway. The processing duration for I-526E applications has reduced considerably compared to previous periods. "In some instances, what once took three years is now being processed in as little as three months," said its founder and chairman, Mark Davies. He noted that applicants maintain the freedom to reside and work in the US whilst their Green Card applications are under review. According to Sukanya Raman, country head at Davies and Associates, Green Card holders receive legal safeguards unavailable to F-1 visa students. "We are advising students to maximise their time within the US and avoid unnecessary foreign travel or extended breaks," she told the financial daily. Also Read |
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
With US Grudging Visas, Students Veer to EB-5
Live Events Following the crackdown on student visas , many Indians currently in the US and those considering colleges there are exploring the EB-5 route. The EB-5 visa programme provides a path to a Green Card , or permanent residency, to foreign investors putting in $800,000 (about ₹7 crore).In the past four to five months, in Donald Trump's second term as US President, immigration lawyers have seen more than 100% jump in EB-5 applications from Indian students , they told ET. A limited number of visas, however, are available each year under the category—about 700 for the US the most popular destination for higher studies — 86,000 Indians there in 2024 — experts see a scramble for EB-5 this year. 'There is a sharp jump in EB-5 applications,' said Rajneesh Pathak, founder of Global North Residency and Citizenship, an immigration law firm. 'But unlike previous years, when we had mostly H-1B visa holders applying, the interest from F-1 visa holders has risen by 100% over the last few months.' F-1 is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter and stay in the US to pursue full-time academic studies, with limited work and Associations, another immigration law firm in the US, is also seeing a significant interest from Indian students and H-1B holders to pursue the EB-5 visa route. The current I-526E adjudication timelines are significantly faster than in previous years. 'In some instances, what once took three years is now being processed in as little as three months,' said its founder and chairman, Mark flexibility allows applicants to live and work freely in the US while their Green Card cases are pending, said Davies. Students holding a Green Card have legal protection that F-1 visa holders do not have.'We are advising students to maximise their time within the US and avoid unnecessary foreign travel or extended breaks,' said Sukanya Raman, country head, Davies and Associates.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
With US grudging visas, students veer to EB-5; applications for Green Card category up by more than 100%
The events in the past few weeks that have led to this panic-like situation include a stop on new F-1 visa appointments — a tussle between the Trump administration and Harvard University; tightening of F-1 visa rules; heightened scrutiny of students' records, including social media posts; student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) record glitches; and increased scrutiny at ports of entry. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Following the crack-down on student visas, many Indians currently in the US and those considering colleges there are exploring the EB-5 route. The EB-5 visa programme provides a path to a Green Card , or permanent residency , to foreign investors putting in $800,000 (about Rs 7 crore).In the past four to five months, in Donald Trump 's second term as US President, immigration lawyers have seen more than 100% jump in EB-5 applications from Indian students, they told ET.A limited number of visas, however, are available each year under the category about 700 for India. With the US the most popular destination for higher studies 86,000 Indians there in 2024-experts see a scramble for EB-5 this year."There is a sharp jump in EB-5 applications," said Rajneesh Pathak, founder of Global North Residency and Citizenship, an immigration law firm. "But unlike previous years, when we had most-ly H-1B visa holders applying, the interest from F-1 visa holders has risen by 100% over the last few months."F-1 is a non-immigrant visa that allows international stu-dents to enter and stay in the US to pursue full-time academic studies, with limited work do not want to take any chances in the current political environment in the US, said experts. 'They are willing to invest in EB-5 to secure the future of their children,' said events in the past few weeks that have led to this panic-like situation include a stop on new F-1 visa appointments — a tussle between the Trump administration and Harvard University; tightening of F-1 visa rules; heightened scrutiny of students' records, including social media posts; student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) record glitches; and increased scrutiny at ports of entry.'The F-1 visa, once as a bridge to opportunity, now feels like a tightrope,' said Akshat Gupta, head of India & UAE, US Immigration Fund (USIF), an EB-5 Regional Centre has seen a 100% rise in F-1 visa holders seeking the EB-5 visa so far this year since January, as against idea that international students, even at globally respected universities, are finding themselves in the middle of political or administrative disputes is unsettling, experts say. Earlier, adjustment of status would allow students to stay in the US, apply for work and travel authorisation, they with the Trump administration discouraging international students, those between 19- 24 years of age, especially in competitive fields like computer science, biotech and finance, are mostly applying for EB-5. US law firm Chugh LLP has seen a sharp uptick in EB-5 requests in the past few months from Indian students on F-1 visas.'Roughly one-third of my new immigration consultations now involve students worried about how US politics could affect their status,' said Navneet S Chugh, attorney, who runs the firm. Last year, Chugh's firm was handling one or two EB-5 inquiries a quarter from students but this spring, it is fielding five to seven a month.'The Harvard dispute simply reminds them how quickly rules can change,' said another and Associations, another immigration law firm in the US, is also seeing a significant interest from Indian students and H-1B holders to pursue the EB-5 visa current I-526E adjudication timelines are significantly faster than in previous years.'In some instances, what once took three years is now being processed in as little as three months,' said its founder and chairman, Mark Davies. This flexibility allows applicants to live and work freely in the US while their Green Card cases are pending, said holding a Green Card have legal protection that F-1 visa holders do not have. 'We are advising students to maximise their time within the US and avoid unnecessary foreign travel or extended breaks,' said Sukanya Raman, country head, Davies and Associates.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
With US grudging visas, students veer to EB-5; applications for Green Card category up by more than 100%
Following the crack-down on student visas, many Indians currently in the US and those considering colleges there are exploring the EB-5 route. The EB-5 visa programme provides a path to a Green Card, or permanent residency, to foreign investors putting in $800,000 (about Rs 7 crore). In the past four to five months, in Donald Trump's second term as US President, immigration lawyers have seen more than 100% jump in EB-5 applications from Indian students, they told ET. A limited number of visas, however, are available each year under the category about 700 for India. With the US the most popular destination for higher studies 86,000 Indians there in 2024-experts see a scramble for EB-5 this year. "There is a sharp jump in EB-5 applications," said Rajneesh Pathak, founder of Global North Residency and Citizenship, an immigration law firm. "But unlike previous years, when we had most-ly H-1B visa holders applying, the interest from F-1 visa holders has risen by 100% over the last few months." (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) F-1 is a non-immigrant visa that allows international stu-dents to enter and stay in the US to pursue full-time academic studies, with limited work authorisation. Parents do not want to take any chances in the current political environment in the US, said experts. 'They are willing to invest in EB-5 to secure the future of their children,' said Pathak. The events in the past few weeks that have led to this panic-like situation include a stop on new F-1 visa appointments — a tussle between the Trump administration and Harvard University; tightening of F-1 visa rules; heightened scrutiny of students' records, including social media posts; student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) record glitches; and increased scrutiny at ports of entry. 'The F-1 visa, once as a bridge to opportunity, now feels like a tightrope,' said Akshat Gupta, head of India & UAE, US Immigration Fund (USIF), an EB-5 Regional Centre operator. USIF has seen a 100% rise in F-1 visa holders seeking the EB-5 visa so far this year since January, as against 2024. The idea that international students, even at globally respected universities, are finding themselves in the middle of political or administrative disputes is unsettling, experts say. Earlier, adjustment of status would allow students to stay in the US, apply for work and travel authorisation, they said. However, with the Trump administration discouraging international students, those between 19- 24 years of age, especially in competitive fields like computer science, biotech and finance, are mostly applying for EB-5. US law firm Chugh LLP has seen a sharp uptick in EB-5 requests in the past few months from Indian students on F-1 visas. 'Roughly one-third of my new immigration consultations now involve students worried about how US politics could affect their status,' said Navneet S Chugh, attorney, who runs the firm. Last year, Chugh's firm was handling one or two EB-5 inquiries a quarter from students but this spring, it is fielding five to seven a month.'The Harvard dispute simply reminds them how quickly rules can change,' said another lawyer. EB-5 VISA ROUTE Davies and Associations, another immigration law firm in the US, is also seeing a significant interest from Indian students and H-1B holders to pursue the EB-5 visa route. The current I-526E adjudication timelines are significantly faster than in previous years.'In some instances, what once took three years is now being processed in as little as three months,' said its founder and chairman, Mark Davies. This flexibility allows applicants to live and work freely in the US while their Green Card cases are pending, said Davies. Students holding a Green Card have legal protection that F-1 visa holders do not have. 'We are advising students to maximise their time within the US and avoid unnecessary foreign travel or extended breaks,' said Sukanya Raman, country head, Davies and Associates.
