✧ EB-5 Visa for Indians in Washington– Arlington–Alexandria: A Reliable Green Card Pathway
The Washington–Arlington–Alexandria metro area (DMV region) is home to a growing Indian community, with families living in Fairfax, Herndon, Tysons, Rockville, Silver Spring, and Bethesda. Many Indian professionals in the area work in IT, consulting, government contracting, healthcare, and finance—often on temporary visas like H-1B, L-1, F-1, or O-1.
These visas can create uncertainty due to long green card backlogs, dependent visa restrictions, and children aging out of H-4 or F-2 visas at 21.
For Indian families in the DMV region, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a faster, family-centered solution to permanent residency. By investing in a qualifying U.S. business, Indians can secure green cards for themselves, their spouses, and children under 21.
As of 2025, the EB-5 investment minimums are:
- $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)
- $1,050,000 in a non-TEA
✧ Why Indians in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria Should Consider EB-5
1. Escape Long Green Card Backlogs (H-1B & L-1 Holders)
Indian professionals in the DMV, particularly those in Northern Virginia’s tech corridor (Fairfax, Tysons, Herndon), face 10+ year waits in EB-2 and EB-3 categories.
The EB-5 program bypasses per-country quotas, offering a faster, more predictable path to a green card.
2. Secure Residency for Spouses & Children
EB-5 is family-focused:
- Spouses gain open work authorization.
- Children under 21 qualify as dependents.
This is crucial for families in Rockville, Bethesda, and Silver Spring, where parents often worry about children aging out of H-4 or F-2 visas before their green cards are approved. Filing EB-5 early helps protect their educational and immigration futures.
3. A Backup Plan for F-1 Students in the DMV
The Washington metro area has many Indian students studying at George Washington University, Georgetown, American University, and University of Maryland. With the H-1B lottery system uncertain, EB-5 provides:
- A backup green card option for students, or
- The ability for students over 18 to be the primary EB-5 applicant.
This ensures career and immigration stability for Indian students in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
4. Freedom from Employer Dependence
Unlike H-1B or L-1 visas, EB-5 green cards are not tied to an employer or location. Indian families in Fairfax, Tysons, and Arlington enjoy:
- Career mobility (switch jobs or start businesses).
- Spousal work flexibility.
- The ability to live anywhere in the S. without visa restrictions.
This independence is particularly attractive to dual-income Indian households in the DMV region.
5. Protect Against Rising Costs & Policy Changes
The EB-5 investment amount has risen before and is expected to increase again. Filing now allows Indian families in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria to:
- Lock in today’s investment threshold.
- Secure their priority date.
- Stay ahead of policy shifts and visa retrogression.
✧ Who in the Indian Community Should Consider EB-5 in the DMV?
- H-1B tech professionals in Fairfax & Tysons with children nearing 21.
- L-1 executives working in Washington, DC & Arlington wanting permanent residency
- Parents of F-1 students at GWU, Georgetown, or University of Maryland.
- Indian entrepreneurs in Rockville, Silver Spring, and Herndon seeking a quicker green card path.
- Families in Bethesda & Alexandria where both spouses want unrestricted work authorization.
