My name is Milan, and I’m originally from India. As an H-1B worker, I wanted to work freely in the United States without my temporary visa’s many limitations on employment. I also wanted my son to pursue higher education and a career in the U.S.
In this post, I’ll explain how the EB-5 program has made both of those goals possible. With careful planning and research, you and your family can also access these benefits, potentially in a matter of days or months.
The H-1B Visa’s Limitations on Work and Study
Finding an EB-5 Immigration Attorney
Why I Chose EB5AN’s Twin Lakes Rural EB-5 Project
Working with EB5AN
My Advice for Others Considering the EB-5 Program
The H-1B Visa’s Limitations on Work and Study
I moved to the U.S. in 2014. Back then, I embarked on a career as a software engineer. Over the years, I worked for various employers under the H-1B visa. This visa required renewal every three years, which wasn’t just a simple formality. It involved a complicated and stressful process, not just for me but for my family as well.
The thought of undergoing this renewal process repeatedly was daunting. It became clear that this wasn’t a sustainable way for us to live and work in the U.S. long-term.
Another crucial factor that drove me towards seeking a more permanent solution was my son’s education. He wants to enter the medical field. We soon realized that his chances of gaining admission into a college would be much lower if we were not permanent residents or citizens of the U.S.
These two reasons led me to explore the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program as a viable pathway to more career and academic opportunities for myself and my family.
By the time I decided to pursue the EB-5 route, I had been living in the U.S. for almost nine years. The endless wait for a Green Card through the H-1B visa seemed infinite, with no visible end in sight.
That’s when I came across the EB5AN Twin Lakes rural project, which presented an opportunity not just for investment but for securing a future for my family in the U.S. I applied for the project and, thankfully, received my I-526E approval along with work and travel permits. This was a game-changer for us.
The constant worry and uncertainty associated with the H-1B visa were finally behind us.
With these new immigration benefits, my career prospects immediately looked brighter. Having gotten considerable experience in my field, I now had the flexibility to not only stick to a full-time job but also explore consultancy opportunities. This was something I could only dream of before. The freedom to work without being tied to a single employer opened up a world of possibilities.
Before settling on the EB-5 visa, I did explore other options. I considered relocating to Canada or trying for an EB-1 visa, among other things. However, each alternative came with its own set of challenges and hurdles, appearing either too difficult or virtually impossible to achieve.
Once I made up my mind about going through with the EB-5 investment, the first thing I did was to educate myself about the EB-5 process. I spent hours online, researching how the program worked and the steps involved. It became apparent that if I wanted to navigate this journey successfully, I would need to go through a regional center. So, I delved into researching various regional centers, understanding their approval process with USCIS.
My search for information led me to the EB5AN website, which stood out due to its detailed presentation and useful investor testimonials. After going through all the available information and evaluating the projects on offer, I was convinced that EB-5 was the right choice for me.
One particularly helpful resource was an investor testimonial featuring Siddharth, a previous investor in the Twin Lakes project. His insights helped me make a wiser investment decision and really evaluate each project’s level of immigration and financial risk.
Finding an EB-5 Immigration Attorney
I started my EB-5 journey with a clear goal in mind: to navigate this complex process as smoothly as possible. To do this, finding the right immigration attorney was crucial. I interviewed a couple of attorneys, focusing on their experience with the EB-5 process and their ability to quickly answer my questions and understand my specific situation, especially how I planned to source my funds.
Siddharth recommended Anahita George, and working with her and her law firm was excellent.
She wasn’t just an attorney; she was a guide and a friend throughout the process. Her responsiveness and detailed explanations made everything clearer. She laid out the steps, the potential pitfalls of different approaches, and helped immensely with document preparation and submission.
Securing the funds was my initial concern. Discussing my plan with Anahita clarified the necessary steps for the source of funds documentation. We began in April 2023, and within a month, I had the funds ready and started on the documentation. Anahita was instrumental in advising what documentation was needed, ensuring that all transactions were properly recorded and that the history and source of the funds were clearly documented.
To my relief, my I-526E petition was approved without any long delays. This smooth approval process shows Anahita’s preparation and expertise.
Why I Chose EB5AN’s Twin Lakes Rural EB-5 Project
When I decided to embark on the EB-5 journey about a year ago, I didn’t want to overlook any details that could potentially disrupt the process. Again, my approach led me to the EB5AN website, which became a pivotal resource in my decision-making process. The transparency of the site regarding the EB-5 process, including the financial statements and details about their projects, gave me a sense of trust and confidence that this was a viable path forward.
One of the projects that caught my attention was EB5AN’s Twin Lakes project. The professionalism and detailed information available about the project, including its financial health and progress, were instrumental in my decision to invest. The transparency about the project’s financial situation, the progress made so far, and the plans for the funds were all laid out clearly, which was very reassuring.
In the uncertain times following COVID-19, with market directions hard to predict, the stability and demand for single-family homes stood out to me. Learning that the Kolter Group, known for its financial stability and extensive experience, was developing Twin Lakes reinforced my decision. Their reputation, coupled with the project’s rural location qualifying it for a targeted employment area (TEA), matched perfectly with the amount I was willing to invest.
Additionally, the project’s loan repayment guarantee offered an extra layer of security for my investment, minimizing the risk involved in such a significant financial commitment.
The rural qualification of Twin Lakes was particularly appealing to me due to the 20% EB-5 visa set-asides for rural projects. Having experienced the backlog with the H-1B visa process, I was acutely aware of the potential delays in the immigration process. Investing in a rural EB-5 project seemed like a smart strategy to avoid similar setbacks and ensure a timely approval of the Green Card.
Another critical factor in my decision was the job creation aspect of the Twin Lakes project. Every EB-5 investment must result in the creation of at least ten jobs, and Twin Lakes had significantly exceeded this requirement by the time I invested. This meant that when the USCIS reviewed my petition, the job creation criteria would be clearly met. This increased my chances of a fast Green Card approval.
During my due diligence, I explored several other EB-5 projects, comparing them to Twin Lakes. The financial structure of Twin Lakes stood out, with only a small portion of the project’s capital coming from EB-5 investments, and the majority being secured through bank loans.
This distribution meant a higher likelihood of project completion and success.
Working with EB5AN
EB5AN played an instrumental role in demystifying the EB-5 process for me. Most of my information was sourced directly from their website, which was a great source of detailed and accessible information. This initial research was crucial.
However, what truly set EB5AN apart was their responsiveness. Questions, no matter how complex or trivial, were answered. This level of communication was vital. It provided a sense of security and trust, knowing that I had a knowledgeable and responsive team at my back.
Conversations with Ahmed Khan, a vice president at EB5AN, also gave me confidence in their expertise and commitment to their investors.
My Advice for Others Considering the EB-5 Program
Reflecting on this journey, a few pieces of advice come to mind for fellow H-1B holders considering this path. Firstly, the importance of understanding the EB-5 process cannot be overstated. It’s essential to understand not just the surface-level benefits but also the detailed USCIS requirements.
Secondly, the choice of a regional center is crucial. Transparency, accessibility of information, and a sense of trust are key factors that should guide this decision. With EB5AN, I found a partner that not only provided a wealth of information but also offered transparency and a genuine commitment to my success.
The assistance from Anahita, a key figure in my application process, was also very valuable. Her guidance was crucial in getting my initial Green Card approval. My experience with EB5AN and Anahita deserves a perfect score.
Now, with my initial Green Card approved, I can pursue many more opportunities in the U.S. The freedom to pursue a consulting career, unbound by the restrictions of the H-1B visa, is one of the main benefits. This not only opens up economic opportunities but also allows for a higher level of career fulfillment.
What is more, my son can now pursue his medical career in the U.S. without H-1B visa uncertainties. Our journey through the EB-5 process has not just been about securing a visa; it’s been about laying a foundation for a future filled with more freedom.
My advice to prospective EB-5 investors is to embark on this journey with an open mind and a commitment to understanding the process. Choose your regional center wisely, prioritize transparency and communication, and always stay up to date with USCIS requirements.
