✧ EB-5 Visa for Indians in New York: Fast Green Card Solutions for Families
For Indian nationals living in New York City on temporary visas—such as H-1B, L-1, F-1, or O-1—the path to U.S. permanent residency is often filled with uncertainty. Long green card backlogs, H-1B lottery challenges, and dependent visa restrictions can make life stressful for Indian families in New York.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is becoming a popular green card solution for Indians in NYC, especially in communities across Queens, Jackson Heights, Manhattan, Long Island, and New Jersey. By investing in a qualifying U.S. project, Indians can secure green cards for themselves, their spouses, and children under 21—without waiting years in backlog lines.
As of 2025, the minimum EB-5 investment amount is:
- $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)
- $1,050,000 in a non-TEA
✧ Why Indians in New York Choose the EB-5 Visa
1. Escape the Green Card Backlog for H-1B & L-1 Holders
Thousands of Indian IT professionals in New York on H-1B and L-1 visas face 10+ year delays in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. The EB-5 program bypasses these quotas, giving a faster and more secure green card option.
Our firm, U.S. Visa India Services, has helped many H-1B holders in Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island transition from temporary visas to permanent residency through EB-5.
2. Secure Residency for Spouses & Children
The EB-5 visa covers the entire family:
- Spouses receive work authorization without restrictions.
- Children under 21 are included, helping Indian parents avoid “age-out” issues under H-4 or F-2 visas.
This is especially valuable for Indian families in Jackson Heights, Flushing, and Edison (NJ), where many parents worry about children aging out during the green card wait.
3. Backup Green Card Route for F-1 Students in NYC
With so many Indian students studying in New York (NYU, Columbia, CUNY, St. John’s, etc.), the EB-5 visa provides a backup plan when the H-1B lottery is uncertain. Parents can:
- File EB-5 on behalf of their child, or
- Have a student (18+) apply as the primary investor.
This ensures career and immigration security for Indian students living in Queens, Manhattan, and Long Island.
4. Freedom from Employer Sponsorship
Unlike H-1B or L-1 visas, the EB-5 green card is not tied to an employer or job location. Indian families benefit from:
- Career freedom (switch jobs or start a business).
- Spousal work authorization.
- Mobility across New York and the S. without restrictions.
This flexibility is especially attractive to dual-income Indian households in New York.
5. Protect Against Rising EB-5 Costs & Policy Changes
USCIS has raised EB-5 investment thresholds before and is expected to do so again. Filing today lets families:
- Lock in current investment amounts.
- Secure a priority date to avoid retrogression.
- Stay ahead of policy and processing delays.
✧ Who in the Indian Community in New York Should Consider EB-5?
- H-1B professionals in Manhattan & Long Island with children nearing age 21.
- L-1 executives working in NYC financial and tech sectors.
- Parents of F-1 students at NYU, Columbia, and CUNY.
- High-net-worth Indian entrepreneurs in Queens and Edison, NJ.
Families in Jackson Heights & Flushing where spouses want unrestricted work rights.
