As H-1B and Student Visa Hurdles Mount, More Indians Turn to US Investment Visas

With increasing restrictions on student and work visas under the Trump administration, growing numbers of Indian nationals are now pursuing US residency through investment-based immigration pathways — particularly the EB-5 visa. This shift comes amid rising interest in the upcoming "Gold Card" programme, a $5 million US residency visa proposed by President Donald Trump in February 2025.

Although the Gold Card’s official launch date and specific terms remain unknown, the programme has already generated significant buzz. A new US government webpage teases, “The Trump Card is Coming. Enter your information below to be notified the moment access opens.”

Record-High EB-5 Demand from India
In the absence of clarity around the Gold Card, the existing EB-5 visa programme — which the new visa is expected to replace — has seen a dramatic spike in applications from Indian citizens. According to the American Immigrant Investor Alliance (AIIA), interest in EB-5 surged after April 2024, largely driven by tighter controls on H-1B and student visas.

Data from the United States Immigration Fund (USIF), a major operator of EB-5 regional centers, confirms this trend. “In the first four months of FY2025 (October 2024–January 2025), Indian applicants filed over 1,200 I-526E petitions across reserved categories — more than any previous full year,” said Nicholas Mastroianni III, president and CMO of USIF.

Immigration backlogs — including more than 11 million pending US applications — have further fueled this shift. For many Indian families, the EB-5 programme now offers the fastest and most reliable route to permanent US residency.

Mumbai Becomes a Key Hub
New figures from Invest In the USA (IIUSA) reveal that 1,428 EB-5 visas were issued to Indian nationals in FY2024 — up from 815 in FY2023. The majority of these applications were processed at the US consulate in Mumbai. Between October 2024 and May 2025, 543 out of 638 unreserved consular processing applicants filed through Mumbai.

India has also seen a steady improvement in EB-5 approval rates — from 59% in FY2022 to 82% in FY2024, according to California-based immigration attorney Ravneit Kaur Brar.

Processing times vary by project type: rural area projects typically take 8–24 months, while those in high-unemployment areas may take 12–30 months.

Post–Gold Card Surge in Interest
Mastroianni observed a major uptick in EB-5 activity following the Gold Card announcement:
“We’re seeing one of the most promising surges in EB-5 interest from Indian families in recent memory. The uncertainty around future visa programmes like the Gold Card, coupled with greater scrutiny of student and work visas, is motivating investors to act now — not later.”

He emphasized that EB-5 is no longer viewed as just an alternative:
“With concerns over potential visa retrogression and the current ability to file concurrently from within the US, families are focused on long-term stability and security. EB-5 has become the preferred strategy.”

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