EB-5 Visa for Indian Investors: Full Green Card Overview

The EB-5 Visa for Indian investors is a government incentive that offers an efficient pathway to permanent residency in the United States. For a minimum investment of $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1,050,000 in metropolitan locations, and boosting the economy through job creation, Indian citizens can secure a Green Card in the land of opportunity.

However, many qualified immigrant investors face a long queue of pending applications due to high demand, especially in the “unreserved” category. The imbalance in supply and demand for the EB-5 Visa is large enough to create retrogression for applicants from India and China. EB-5 entered 2025 with about five times more pipeline visa applicants than available visas. But we are here to help. This article provides expert guidance on how to navigate the entire process and boost your success rate.

Stick around to read about:

• EB-5 Investment Requirements for Indian Citizens
• Benefits of the USA Investment Visa for Indian Citizens
• EB-5 Processing Time India

What is the EB-5 Visa for Indian investors?

The EB-5 Visa is an investment initiative providing permanent resident status to foreign nationals, including Indian citizens. Also called the USA Investor Visa or Investor Green Card, EB-5 is an employment-based visa that delivers a pathway to a Green Card (permanent residency).

Congress created this immigrant investor program in 1990 to boost the US economy through job creation and capital investment from immigrant investors. Successful applicants and their dependent family members have the right to live, work, and study in the United States.

Indian applicants can make a capital investment in a US business that creates or preserves ten permanent full-time jobs for American workers. The EB-5 Visa is the most popular among global investors, with India receiving about 700 visas per year.

EB-5 Investment Requirements for Indian Citizens

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program has specific investment requirements for investment amount, type of enterprise, and job creation. Indian investors must meet the basic requirements to qualify.

Capital investment

The minimum investment amount depends on the location of the commercial enterprise. Metropolitan areas require $1,050,000 in investment funds or $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). TEAs are rural areas or high-unemployment areas where the unemployment rate is about 150 percent of the national average.

Type of enterprise

To qualify for the EB-5 Visa, foreign investors can choose between direct investment or a Regional Center investment. Direct investment requires active business management through a managerial position or at least 50 percent ownership. Designated Regional Center investment is a passive investment initiative that creates indirect jobs.

Indian nationals can invest in a new commercial enterprise opened after 29 November 1990. However, foreign investors can also buy an old business as long as it creates ten full-time jobs for US workers and boosts economic growth. The EB-5 investment must be “at risk” in an active, for-profit business.

Job creation requirement

The EB-5 Visa requires capital investment from prospective investors to create or preserve at least ten full-time jobs for qualifying US workers. EB-5 projects must create jobs within two years of receiving their conditional permanent resident status.

Benefits of the USA Investment Visa for Indian Citizens

The USA Investor Visa provides many advantages for Indian nationals. These include:

• Permanent residency: Attain a US green card for you, your spouse, and unmarried children under 21, offering permanent residency in the United States.
• Independence: No employer sponsorship is required, allowing you to work and live anywhere in the US on your terms.
• Education opportunities: Access renowned US educational institutions, providing a world-class education for your children.
• Healthcare access: Benefit from US green card and avail comprehensive US healthcare services, ensuring the well-being of your family.
• Business ventures: Launch and manage your own business, contributing to the US economy and your entrepreneurial dreams as a green card holder.
• Travel flexibility: Travel freely in and out of the US without visa renewals, maintaining global connections with your US green card.
• Path to citizenship: Pursue US citizenship after meeting residency requirements, to gain a US passport and travel visa-free to many countries.

EB-5 Eligibility Criteria for Indian Applicants

To meet the EB-5 Visa requirements, Indian applicants must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Provide a minimum investment ($800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1,050,000 in metropolitan locations)
• Create or preserve ten full-time jobs for qualified US workers
• Active day-to-day management of the lawful business (for direct investments)
• Create indirect jobs through a passive management role (for Regional Center investors)
• Clean criminal record for foreign investors
• Lawful source of funds for the capital invested
• Valid passport

Required Project Documentation for EB-5 Visa Application

The EB-5 investment requires special documentation. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) created strict guidelines, which include the following documents for project qualification:

• Business plan: A comprehensive plan detailing the nature of your qualifying new commercial enterprise, its goals, market analysis, and operational strategies.
• Financial projections: Forecasts outlining the business’s financial performance and growth trajectory, demonstrating its potential for promoting economic growth.
• Job creation plan: A clear outline of how the investment will lead to creating at least ten full-time jobs for qualifying US workers.
• Evidence of investment: Documentation of the required minimum investment you’re contributing to the project, including subscription agreements and funds transferred to an escrow account.
• Market analysis: Research indicating demand for the business’s products or services, contributing to the viability of the enterprise.
• Operational documents: Legal and organizational documents such as business licenses, leases, and contracts that solidify the enterprise’s legitimacy.

Other Documents for EB-5 Visa Application

Applicants must provide the personal documentation required for an EB-5 Visa. These documents include:

• Personal identification documents (i.e., valid passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, police certificate, etc.)
• Proof of legal source of funds (i.e., personal tax returns, bank statements, business ownership, sale agreements, etc.)
• Documentation for new commercial enterprise (i.e., subscription agreements, investment contracts, etc)
• Form I-526 / I-526E (Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur)
• Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status): For applicants already in the US seeking to adjust to conditional residency.
• Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Electronic Application): For applicants outside the United States aiming for consular processing.

An EB-5 immigration lawyer can streamline the application process and help you compile the required documents. They are well-versed in immigration laws and can act as intermediaries with immigration services, ensuring you have sufficient capital to boost your case.

EB-5 Processing Time India

The EB-5 Visa processing time for Indian nationals is five to six years, potentially eight years or over for the “unreserved category.” Due to the limited number of visas available, many investors from high-demand countries like India or China face significant backlogs and longer wait times.

According to the July 2025 Visa Bulletin, India’s “unreserved category” faces a long queue of pending applications, as priority dates fall on 1 May 2019.

Set-aside visas can provide faster processing and a more efficient immigration process for applicants of Indian roots. These set-aside visas are reserved for investment projects in high-unemployment areas, infrastructure projects, or rural locations.

EB-5 Visa India Costs: Financial Considerations

• Investment capital: Either $1,050,00 or $800,000, depending on project location.
• Fees: Administrative, legal, and potential Regional Center fees.
• USCIS fees: Include I-526 and I-829 filing fees.
• Consular fees: For visa application processing.
• Travel and living expenses: Moving and settling costs.
• Education expenses: If relocating with family.
• Currency exchange: Exchange rate impacts.

The EB-5 Visa India Process From Start to Finish

Why work with Global Citizen Solutions?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.

• We have helped hundreds of clients from 35+ countries in all the top Residency by Investment and Citizenship by Investment programs. With an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the area, we provide our clients with solid guidance. We have a team of immigration lawyers, and immigration advisers specialized in US immigration.
• Our team has never had a case rejected. Our 100 percent approval rate sets us apart from our competitors and guarantees that you can expect a successful application.
• Our transparent pricing covers all the processes from opening your bank account, document certification, and legal due diligence to investment and submission. As there is one fee for the entire process, you can be confident that you will not face any hidden costs later.
• All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server. You can be safe knowing that your personal data is treated with the utmost security.
• Global Citizen Solutions provides an all-encompassing solution. Our support can continue even after you receive your passport. We offer additional services such as company incorporation, Trusts, and Foundations formation.
• The BeGlobal Onboarding System® allows you to access the status of your application every step of the way, something that sets us apart from our competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions About EB-5 Visa for Indian Investors

Are Indians eligible for EB-5 Visa?

Yes, Indian investors are eligible for the EB-5 Visa. The EB-5 investor program is the fastest way to get a Green Card with the quickest processing times, especially if the substantial investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). Investors must put capital into a for-profit activity formed as a new commercial enterprise.

How long does EB-5 take for Indians?

On average, an EB-5 Visa takes about five to six years to process. But Indian investors have a unique chance to bypass regression and backlogs by investing in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act created the “set-aside visas” to provide a faster path to a Green Card.

How much does EB-5 India cost?

The initial cost for the EB-5 investment is $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1,050,000 in metropolitan locations. But you also have to take into account Regional Center fees, administrative costs, fees for hiring an immigration attorney, and USCIS filing fees. Many factors are considered, so the EB-5 Visa is often reserved for high-net-worth investors.

Is the EB-5 Visa a good option for Indian investors?

Absolutely, the EB-5 offers numerous immigration benefits for Indian citizens, such as permanent resident status, travel flexibility, education opportunities, and options to expand their business ventures. Green Card holders can also pursue their dream of obtaining US citizenship through naturalization within three to five years of obtaining permanent residence.

How can Indians expedite their EB-5 visa processing?

Indian nationals can speed up their EB-5 visa processing by investing in set-aside categories like rural areas, high-unemployment areas, or infrastructure projects. These categories have “current” visa availability and often receive priority processing. If you’re in the US and choose a set-aside project, you can file your I-526E and I-485 concurrently, which can help you get work and travel authorization sooner.

Are there any country-specific challenges Indians face with the EB-5 Visa?

Yes, potential investors may face delays due to high demand for Unreserved EB-5 status applications. In certain circumstances, it can be difficult to get immigrant visas unless they invest in TEAs. The same set-aside category often provides priority processing to reach your immigration goals.

Can Indian students in the US apply for an EB-5 Visa?

Yes, Indian students with F-1 visas in the US can apply for EB-5 immigrant visa applications. This is one of the most popular ways high-net-worth individuals can become lawful permanent residents through foreign investment.

What are the risks for Indian nationals investing through the EB-5 program?

Indian nationals in the Unreserved category face longer processing times, which means their children can grow older before their parents receive immigrant visas. Only children under 21 can get a Green Card with their parents.

How does a Green Card from EB5 Visa work?

Through the EB-5 program, you get a conditional Green Card first, and within 90 days before it expires, you must file Form I-829, proving your investment created the required jobs. Once approved, USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) can remove conditions, granting you a permanent Green Card.