The San Francisco Bay Area is home to one of the largest Indian communities in the United States, with professionals and families living in Fremont, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, San Jose, Pleasanton, and Oakland. Many are on temporary visas such as H-1B, L-1, F-1, or O-1, facing long green card backlogs, dependent visa restrictions, and uncertainty for children nearing 21 years of age.
For these families, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program provides a direct and family-centered path to U.S. permanent residency. By investing in a qualifying U.S. business, Indians in the Bay Area can secure green cards for themselves, their spouses, and children under 21 without being tied to employer sponsorship.
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 EB-5 is the Smart Choice for Indians in the Bay Area
1. Overcoming the Green Card Backlog (H-1B & L-1 Holders)
Indian tech professionals in the Bay Area’s Silicon Valley (Fremont, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Palo Alto) face 10+ year waits for EB-2 and EB-3 green cards. EB-5 bypasses these backlogs, offering a faster path to permanent residency.
At U.S. Visa India Services, we have successfully assisted many H-1B and L-1 holders in San Jose, Fremont, and Pleasanton with EB-5 filings to secure green cards without delays.
2. Protecting Spouses & Children
EB-5 benefits extend to the entire family:
- Spouses receive unrestricted work authorization.
- Children under 21 qualify as derivative applicants.
This is particularly important for Indian families in Fremont, Milpitas, and Santa Clara, where parents worry about children aging out of dependent H-4 or F-2 visas. Filing EB-5 early ensures immigration security for children and uninterrupted education in the U.S.
3. A Green Card Backup for F-1 Students in Bay Area Universities
The Bay Area is home to many Indian students at UC Berkeley, San Jose State, Stanford, and Santa Clara University. After graduation, the H-1B lottery system creates uncertainty.
Parents can use EB-5 to:
- File applications on behalf of their children, or
- Have children (18+) apply as the primary investors.
This provides a backup green card solution for Indian students in Berkeley, San Francisco, and San Jose.
4. Career & Location Flexibility
Unlike H-1B or L-1 visas, an EB-5 green card is not tied to an employer or location. This means:
- Freedom to switch jobs or start a business in the Bay Area.
- Spousal career flexibility.
- The ability to live anywhere in the S. without immigration concerns.
This independence is especially valuable for dual-income Indian households in Fremont, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino, where both spouses want the freedom to work.
5. Secure Today’s Investment Thresholds & Policy Protection
The EB-5 investment amount has increased in recent years, and further hikes are expected. Filing today allows Indian families in San Francisco, Oakland, Fremont, and nearby cities to:
- Lock in the current investment amount.
- Secure their priority date.
- Stay ahead of potential policy changes or quota retrogression.
✧ Who Should Consider EB-5 in the Bay Area’s Indian Community?
- H-1B tech professionals in Silicon Valley with children nearing 21.
- L-1 executives in San Francisco and Oakland wanting permanent residency
- Parents of F-1 students at Stanford, UC Berkeley, and SJSU.
- High-net-worth Indian entrepreneurs in Fremont, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino.
- Families in Pleasanton and Santa Clara seeking unrestricted work rights for both spouses.
