<p>The US Department of State has released the US visa bulletin for October 2025, revealing major movements of dates for India in the first visa bulletin for the fiscal year 2026, which is set to begin on October 1. The Final Action Date for EB-5 (unreserved) India applications is scheduled to be postponed by nearly 15 months. In addition, other positive movements were also noticed in other EB categories.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Final Action Date is the cutoff date applied by the US State Department in order to issue or approve a green card/visa. Meanwhile, the US visa bulletin for October 2025 disclosed the cap of family visas for 2026 to be 226,000.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"The fiscal year 2026 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants determined in accordance with Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is 226,000. The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000. Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620. The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320," the bulletin read.</p><h3>What is the EB-5 Visa?</h3><p>The EB-5 visa is an immigrant investor visa program which gives a green card to all investors seeking permanent residency. Under this Visa policy, applicants must invest at least $800,000 in a targeted employment area project or $1,050,000 in other commercial enterprises that create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers. If the investor can fulfil all these criteria, then they, along with their spouses and unmarried children under 21, can apply for a Green Card, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>This visa became quite popular among Indian applicants seeking a faster way of immigration route, especially as other employment-based categories face long backlogs. The EB-5 programme not only provides a residency pathway but also contributes significantly to economic development and job creation in America.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>To stimulate the US economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors, it was created by Congress in 1990. However, Congress created the Immigrant Investor Program in 1992, known as the Regional Centre Program. The program sets aside EB-5 visas for participants who invest in commercial enterprises associated with regional centres approved by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth.</p>

The EB-5 programme was created by Congress in 1990. It not only provides a residency pathway but also contributes significantly to economic development and job creation in America.

The US Department of State has released the US visa bulletin for October 2025, revealing major movements of dates for India in the first visa bulletin for the fiscal year 2026, which is set to begin on October 1. The Final Action Date for EB-5 (unreserved) India applications is scheduled to be postponed by nearly 15 months. In addition, other positive movements were also noticed in other EB categories. The Final Action Date is the cutoff date applied by the US State Department in order to issue or approve a green card/visa. Meanwhile, the US visa bulletin for October 2025 disclosed the cap of family visas for 2026 to be 226,000. "The fiscal year 2026 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants determined in accordance with Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is 226,000. The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000. Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620. The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320," the bulletin read. What is the EB-5 Visa? The EB-5 visa is an immigrant investor visa program which gives a green card to all investors seeking permanent residency. Under this Visa policy, applicants must invest at least $800,000 in a targeted employment area project or $1,050,000 in other commercial enterprises that create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers. If the investor can fulfil all these criteria, then they, along with their spouses and unmarried children under 21, can apply for a Green Card, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This visa became quite popular among Indian applicants seeking a faster way of immigration route, especially as other employment-based categories face long backlogs. The EB-5 programme not only provides a residency pathway but also contributes significantly to economic development and job creation in America. To stimulate the US economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors, it was created by Congress in 1990. However, Congress created the Immigrant Investor Program in 1992, known as the Regional Centre Program. The program sets aside EB-5 visas for participants who invest in commercial enterprises associated with regional centres approved by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth.

<p>The EB-5 programme was created by Congress in 1990. It not only provides a residency pathway but also contributes significantly to economic development and job creation in America.</p>

What is the EB-5 visa and why US Visa Bulletin can be good news for Indians — All you need to know

<p>The number of Indians who obtained permanent residency and green cards for the United States through the EB-5 programme, also known as green card by investment programme, has reached its highest-ever mark.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For many wealthy Indians, the EB-5 programme has proven to be not only one of the fastest but also the most reliable ways to obtain a US green card.</p>

<p>The Indian government's recently released figures on citizenship renunciations also show a growing number of Indians seeking a better future in the West.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2022 alone, 225,000 Indians chose US citizenship, with nearly half of them (78,284) opting for the United States, followed by Australia, Canada, and the UK.</p>

<h2><strong>What exactly is an EB-5 visa programme?</strong></h2>

<p>Under the EB-5 visa programme, investors can obtain a conditional green card that initially remains valid for two years. T</p>

<p>o qualify for the conditional green card, investors must invest a specified amount of capital, typically around ₹8.6 crore or ₹6.4 crore, in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) and create or preserve a certain number of jobs in the United States.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-slashes-visitors-visa-wait-time-for-indians-aims-to-issue-one-million-visas-in-2023-576981">US slashes visitors visa wait time for Indians; aims to issue one million visas in 2023</a></strong></p>

<p>After holding the conditional green card for two years, EB-5 visa holders can apply to have the conditions removed by submitting an application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This process involves demonstrating the sustainability of the investment and the creation or maintenance of the required jobs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If the application is approved, the investor receives a permanent green card, granting them permanent residency in the United States for ten years.</p>

<h2><strong>EB-5 visa residencies rose&nbsp;by 400 per cent in 3 years</strong></h2>

<p>Among Indian investors, the EB-5 visa has generated significant interest. The overall demand for EB-5 visas has increased by approximately 400 per cent between 2016 and the beginning of 2019, Hindustan Times reported.</p>

<h2><strong>Why is the EB-5 visa programme so popular?</strong></h2>

<p>One of the significant advantages of the EB-5 visa is the absence of restrictions on the area where visa holders can study or work. They are also eligible to start businesses in any part of the country. Additionally, the program has become more accessible and attractive due to the option of filing the EB-5 visa petition concurrently.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;WION Fineprint | Massive hike in U.S. Visa fees expected</strong></p>

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<p>Another reason behind the increasing number of Indians turning to the EB-5 visa programme is the assurance of long-term residency in the US. The possibility of obtaining residency through several years of employment is becoming increasingly remote.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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The number of Indians who obtained permanent residency and green cards for the United States through the EB-5 programme, also known as green card by investment programme, has reached its highest-ever mark.

The number of Indians who obtained permanent residency and green cards for the United States through the EB-5 programme, also known as green card by investment programme, has reached its highest-ever mark. For many wealthy Indians, the EB-5 programme has proven to be not only one of the fastest but also the most reliable ways to obtain a US green card. The Indian government's recently released figures on citizenship renunciations also show a growing number of Indians seeking a better future in the West. In 2022 alone, 225,000 Indians chose US citizenship, with nearly half of them (78,284) opting for the United States, followed by Australia, Canada, and the UK. What exactly is an EB-5 visa programme? Under the EB-5 visa programme, investors can obtain a conditional green card that initially remains valid for two years. T o qualify for the conditional green card, investors must invest a specified amount of capital, typically around ₹8.6 crore or ₹6.4 crore, in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) and create or preserve a certain number of jobs in the United States. Also read | US slashes visitors visa wait time for Indians; aims to issue one million visas in 2023 After holding the conditional green card for two years, EB-5 visa holders can apply to have the conditions removed by submitting an application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This process involves demonstrating the sustainability of the investment and the creation or maintenance of the required jobs. If the application is approved, the investor receives a permanent green card, granting them permanent residency in the United States for ten years. EB-5 visa residencies rose by 400 per cent in 3 years Among Indian investors, the EB-5 visa has generated significant interest. The overall demand for EB-5 visas has increased by approximately 400 per cent between 2016 and the beginning of 2019, Hindustan Times reported. Why is the EB-5 visa programme so popular? One of the significant advantages of the EB-5 visa is the absence of restrictions on the area where visa holders can study or work. They are also eligible to start businesses in any part of the country. Additionally, the program has become more accessible and attractive due to the option of filing the EB-5 visa petition concurrently. Also watch | WION Fineprint | Massive hike in U.S. Visa fees expected × Another reason behind the increasing number of Indians turning to the EB-5 visa programme is the assurance of long-term residency in the US. The possibility of obtaining residency through several years of employment is becoming increasingly remote. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

EB-5 visa: Why this route to US residency has become popular among Indians

India has filed the highest number of EB-5 immigrant investor applications in the United States. Watch report.

India's ER-5 applications up 400% from 2016 to 2019

Watch today in 'World Business Watch': Indian filed highest number of EB-5 immigrant investor applications in the United States.

Indians filed highest number of EB-5 immigrant investor applications in the US

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What is the EB-5 visa and why US Visa Bulletin can be good news for Indians — All you need to know

EB-5 visa: Why this route to US residency has become popular among Indians

India's ER-5 applications up 400% from 2016 to 2019

Indians filed highest number of EB-5 immigrant investor applications in the US