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Business Standard
14 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
EB-5 visa gains popularity as Indians face H-1B and F-1 challenges
The EB-5 visa program is fast emerging as a preferred route for individuals looking to migrate to the United States (US). In the first quarter of calendar year 2025 (CY25), a total of 4,608 EB-5 visas were granted globally, marking a 90 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase. Nicholas Mastroianni III, president and chief marketing officer of the US Immigration Fund (USIF) — one of the leading EB-5 regional center operators — said demand from Indians has risen, both among those residing in India and those already in the US on H-1B and F-1 visas. 'There's a clear uptick in interest. We've seen more inquiries from people still in India, and also from parents of students on F-1 visas. The current uncertainty around H-1B and F-1 statuses in the US is prompting families to explore EB-5 as a more secure route,' Mastroianni told Business Standard during his visit to Mumbai. The trend is reflected in the numbers. As of year-to-date (YTD) 2025, Indian nationals had filed 649 EB-5 visa petitions under consular processing. When combined with adjustment of status (AOS) applications — filed by those already in the US — the total is expected to surpass 2024's figure of 733 petitions. EB-5 visa program has been around for 30 years now, but has been underutilised, according to Mastroianni. For USIF, India is its second-largest market, after China. As a route for immigration, EB-5 program also has a cap of issuing 10,000 visas annually. The program also has a 7 per cent cap per country to ensure fair distribution of visas. An individual opting for this route has to pay a fee of $800,000. Since 2016, USIF has facilitated the migration of 200-250 Indian families. 'Just since January, we've seen nearly 50 families from India move ahead with the EB-5 process,' Mastroianni said. Significant reforms in 2020 included a 40 per cent fee hike and stricter compliance, which briefly slowed investor interest. Currency restrictions and broader global uncertainty also contributed. However, 2025 has brought a resurgence in demand, said Mastroianni. However, he added that since the beginning of this year, EB-5 as a category has seen a significant pickup. 'One of the reasons is the clarity, so anyone who files a petition under EB-5 now will be grandfathered under the EB-5 reforms until September 30, 2026,' he said. This basically means that even if the program gets modified or changed, the petitions filed will continue to be processed. When asked about the proposed 'Golden Visa' or 'Gold Card' for the US, Mastroianni said the EB-5 and Gold Card could coexist. 'The Gold Card still needs approval by both Congress and the Senate. Proposals like exempting participants from taxes would require changes to IRS codes — that's no small feat,' he said. Moreover, whenever the Gold Card becomes a reality, it will focus on wealth-based migration, whereas EB-5 brings investors to the US. The EB-5 route allows individuals to become investors. 'The USIF is a fund, we have more than 25 funds that pool or bring investors together and finance projects in the US. These investments have to create jobs. Several political leaders in the current US government are aware of the EB-5 impact. Rather many of the members' real estate projects have seen investment from EB-5 petitioners, hence they are aware the kind of jobs that have been created in the US,' he said. With the uncertainty over visa only increasing, USIF also launched another program called the 'Opportunity Fund Lender'. 'Investors across the world or even those in the US can invest through EB-5 with $400,000. They can finance up to 50 per cent of the rest of the investment, depending on their qualification,' said Mastroianni.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- 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 |
Economic Times
01-06-2025
- 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.
Korea Herald
01-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
U.S. Immigration Fund Welcomes Cindy Lee as Vice President of Business Development, Head of South Korea
PALM BEACH, Fla., May 01, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Immigration Fund (USIF), a leading EB-5 Regional Center operator, is proud to announce the addition of Cindy Lee as Vice President of Business Development, Head of South Korea. Based in Seoul, Lee will lead investor relations and business development efforts in South Korea, further strengthening USIF's presence in the region. Lee brings extensive experience in international recruitment, consulting, and EB-5 investor relations. Prior to joining USIF, she worked at St. George's University, specializing in medical and health science admissions, and spent five years managing EB-5 investor relations at an established EB-5 Regional Center. Her background in both education and investment makes her uniquely positioned to guide South Korean investors through the EB-5 process with expertise and care. "I am thrilled to join U.S. Immigration Fund and contribute to its global success," said Lee. "South Korean investors are increasingly looking toward the EB-5 program as a pathway to new opportunities in the U.S., and I am excited to help them navigate the process with confidence and clarity." "We are excited to welcome Cindy Lee to the USIF team," said Nicholas Mastroianni, President & Chief Marketing Officer of U.S. Immigration Fund. "Her deep understanding of investor relations and her proven ability to build strong relationships will be instrumental as we continue to expand in South Korea. Cindy's expertise and leadership will enhance our ability to serve investors and provide them with top-tier EB-5 opportunities." Since its founding, USIF has helped thousands of families secure U.S. residency through EB-5 investments, successfully funding large-scale real estate projects with billions in capital. With Lee's appointment, USIF aims to expand its reach and continue offering premier service to South Korean investors and families. For more information or to schedule a consultation with Cindy Lee, use the links below.
Malaysian Reserve
30-04-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
U.S. Immigration Fund Welcomes Emily Zhu as Vice President of Business Development, Head of East Asia
PALM BEACH, Fla., April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. Immigration Fund (USIF), a leading EB-5 Regional Center operator, is pleased to announce the addition of Emily Zhu as Vice President of Business Development, Head of East Asia. In her role, Zhu will focus on expanding USIF's presence in East Asia, fostering relationships with investors, and guiding them through the EB-5 process. She will also work to educate individuals currently in the U.S. on non-immigrant visas about their options within EB-5. With nearly a decade of experience in the EB-5 industry, Zhu brings extensive expertise in capital raising, investor relations, and strategic business development. Originally from China and residing in the U.S. since 2009, she began her EB-5 career in 2015 at a boutique immigration law firm and regional center in New York. From 2016 to 2019, she served as an in-house representative for a New York-based developer and regional center, managing investor relations and capital raising efforts. 'USIF has long been recognized as an industry leader in the EB-5 space, and I am thrilled to join this exceptional team,' said Zhu. 'Our priority is to connect international investors with financially sound real estate projects that create jobs and support families in securing U.S. residency. I look forward to helping investors navigate the EB-5 process with transparency and expert guidance.' 'We are proud to welcome Emily Zhu as Vice President of Business Development, Head of East Asia. Emily's deep understanding of the East Asian market and her commitment to investor success will be instrumental in expanding our reach and delivering premier EB-5 solutions,' explains Nicholas Mastroianni III, President & Chief Marketing Officer of U.S. Immigration Fund. 'Her leadership will help us connect with more families and entrepreneurs who are looking to build a future in the U.S. through the EB-5 program.' Since 2010, USIF has assisted over 5,000+ EB-5 applicants worldwide, facilitating investments in major development projects and successfully securing billions in funding. In October 2024, USIF's Summit NJ Project received I-956F approval from USCIS, underscoring the company's commitment to compliance and excellence in the EB-5 industry. For more information or to schedule a consultation with Emily Zhu, use the links below. Book a Consultation with Emily Visit our website Photo:
