EB-5 Visa Surge: Indian Students Invest for US Green Cards Amid Immigration Clampdown

In a striking shift that’s reshaping the landscape of U.S.-bound migration, an increasing number of Indian students are exploring a less conventional—yet more secure—path to American residency: the EB-5 investor visa. This EB-5 visa surge comes as the United States tightens its immigration policies under the renewed influence of the Donald Trump administration.

Traditionally dominated by H-1B visa holders, the EB-5 visa route has recently seen an influx of F-1 student visa holders looking for a more permanent and reliable status in the U.S. A combination of heightened scrutiny, visa cancellations, and policy uncertainty is prompting students to invest in their future quite literally—with $800,000.

A Safe Bet in Uncertain Times

The EB-5 visa program, which offers permanent residency in exchange for a minimum investment in a U.S.-based commercial enterprise, has become a strategic lifeline. While the quota for Indian applicants remains capped at just 700, immigration attorneys report a more than 100% spike in EB-5 applications within the last five months alone.

“The EB-5 visa surge we’re seeing now is unlike anything in previous years,” says Rajneesh Pathak, founder of Global North Residency and Citizenship. “Earlier, most of our applicants were H-1B holders. But since January, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in F-1 visa holders choosing this path, many of whom are still in graduate school.”

Why the Sudden Shift?

This migration of mindsets didn’t happen in isolation. In early 2025, the Trump administration terminated over 300 student visas, citing alleged involvement in “campus activism” and engagement with so-called “anti-national” content online. Many of these students received abrupt notifications from the U.S. Department of State informing them of visa revocations and instructions for self-deportation via the CBP One App.

For thousands of aspiring professionals, this crackdown shattered the illusion of long-term stability through traditional student-to-work visa transitions.

“In the current climate, relying solely on an F-1 to H-1B to Green Card path feels like building your future on sand,” explains a 26-year-old student of biotechnology at a top Ivy League university, who recently filed for an EB-5 petition. “The EB-5 route feels like a concrete foundation.”

Elite Talent with Deep Pockets

According to data from the US Immigration Fund (USIF), Indian nationals in high-demand sectors like computer science, finance, and biotechnology form the majority of new EB-5 applicants. These are not just wealthy investors—they’re highly skilled professionals making calculated decisions to secure long-term security and career growth in America.

“India is producing some of the world’s most talented minds, and they’re no longer willing to gamble their futures on unpredictable immigration rules,” says a spokesperson from the USIF. “This EB-5 visa surge is proof that they’re ready to invest not just in America, but in themselves.”

Also Read : Everything You Need to Know About the UK Immigration Reforms 2025 and Student Visa Changes