Number of Indian students applying for EB-5 Investor visa program soars

Since the last four decades, the United States has been a dream destination for most Indian students. While in 1979-80, 9,000 Indian students, making up for 3.1 percent of the foreign student population in America, were enrolled in universities and colleges there, their numbers swelled to 165,918 between 1980 and 2016, increasing their percentage to more 31.2 per cent of its total foreign student population. It is said that more students now are making use of the EB-5 investor visa program to settle in the United States. The EB-5 Investor visa, which costs a minimum of $500,000, allows students and their families to invest in target employment areas via government recognised organisations, while creating 10 jobs for American citizens. For this, the investors and their immediate families (children under 21 years) are granted a tentative green card in two years. This could get them permanent residency and the US citizenship subsequently. Many students are applying for the EB-5 visa, as there are fears that the H-1B program could be diluted, if not scrapped, by the Trump government. While under the F-1 visa program, students are temporarily given shelter in the US, the EB5 program is a route to permanent residency in that country, giving them the option to work in an occupation of their choice. With the other work visa programs, Indian students can get a Green Card only if an American employer sponsors applicants, but with an EB5, they do not need to be sponsored, say Mark Davies, Global Chairman of Davies & Associates, and Abhinav Lohia, Partner and Practice Chair of India and South East Asia, Davies & Associates while writing for indiatoday.in. In addition, EB-5 visa holders, by virtue of becoming permanent residents of the US, Indian students could become eligible for in-state tuition rates, which are very low when compared to the fee for foreign students. By attaining US citizenship, they also stand more chances of getting admitted into Ivy League universities. If you are looking to apply for an EB-5 visa, get in touch with Y-Axis, a premier consultancy company for immigration, to know how to go about it.