Why EB-5 visa is best for students wanting to study abroad

Posted November 9, 2021

EB-5 visa is ideal for students who want to study abroad.

Students from all over the world aspire to study at the world’s most prestigious colleges and universities. People’s aspirations are fueled even further by their desire to work in places where they and their families can live comfortably.

Many people achieve this goal by moving to the United States, where nearly limit educational and employment opportunities. Yale, Brown, Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkley, and many other world-renowned educational institutions are located in the United States. As a result, a degree from one of the nation’s renowned state universities is an asset to one’s career.

Students now face visa problems.

An F1 visa is traditionally used for a student’s education in the United States, followed by an OPT or H1B visa for employment in the United States. Political pressure has mounted on the H-1B in recent years, culminating in President Trump’s temporary ban. Changing jobs or negotiating wages and benefits can be difficult when on an H-1B visa. After six years, the visa expires, and you’ll need to find a new way to stay in the United States.

Permanent residency for highly skilled professionals has a multi-year waiting list for those born in India, according to the EB-3 Visa program. As long as the applicant can afford it, the EB-5 visa addresses all of these concerns. The EB-5 visa grants permanent residency (a “Green Card”), allowing the holder to reside, work, and study in the United States without restriction.

In June, the minimum investment was set at USD 900,000, but it has since been reduced to USD 500,000. That number could rise again soon, so people rush to apply while the investment threshold is still low to avoid being shut out.

A single EB-5 investment may include the primary applicant, their spouse, and children under 21 who are eligible for EB-5 status. Before the age of 21, a child’s application should be considered. If they reach the age of majority during the application process, they must submit a separate application and invest. There are several reasons why students and their families prefer the EB-5 program.

Many people prefer EB-5 for the following reasons:

International students may be able to pay lower tuition fees.

In-state universities, EB-5 residents pay less in tuition than other immigrant students. The family may be eligible for in-state tuition rates if they reside in the university’s home state.

Financial aid and scholarships are available.

Many colleges and universities offer financial aid at the time of application. Pupils from around the world compete against each other for a limited number of scholarships for international students. With a Green Card, students can apply for scholarships only available to residents of the United States, increasing their chances of winning one. Grants are also available from the state, federal government, and schools, depending on a student’s financial situation. EB-5 Green Card holders can apply for these grants, which are not widely available to international students.

During the course, there are no restrictions on employment.

Immigrant students may have to deal with restrictions, such as being limited to on-campus employment and having few off-campus employment options while in school. Students who have obtained an EB-5 Green Card are exempt from these restrictions and can work off-campus just like their American counterparts. They may also be able to take advantage of internships and other forms of paid work experience that will be beneficial once they have earned their degree.

Getting a job after graduation has become more accessible.

A significant benefit of the EB-5 Visa is that it eliminates the hassle of obtaining a work permit following graduation. While the F-1 and OPT processes are relatively simple, the H-1B visa process, for example, becomes more complicated. To obtain an H-1B visa, an employer must bear the additional administrative burden and a yearly lottery that resets at the beginning of the year. There are no restrictions on employment or unemployment in the United States for holders of an EB-5 Visa. Non-Green Cardholders do not have the luxury of time to find a good job and negotiate a good salary.