H1B tech worker analyzing financial and career opportunities through the EB5 immigrant investor program after 2025 layoffs.

How EB-5 Can Help Those Affected by the 2025 Tech Layoffs

In recent months, there’s been a sharp rise in layoffs within the tech industry, affecting major companies like Meta, Microsoft, and BlackRock. These layoffs have been particularly challenging for H-1B visa holders, many of whom are highly skilled professionals working in the U.S. on temporary work visas. The uncertainty surrounding job security, visa status, and the path to permanent residency is leaving many of these workers anxious about their futures. For some, however, the solution may lie in the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which offers a straightforward route to obtaining U.S. permanent residency.

This article will explore how EB-5 can help those affected by the 2025 tech layoffs, offering them not only a path to stability but also a unique opportunity to take advantage of favorable market conditions before it’s too late.

Understanding the Tech Layoffs and Their Impact on H-1B Visa Holders

H1B visa holders exploring investment options and the EB5 program for U.S. permanent residency amidst tech industry layoffs.

The tech industry, once seen as a golden sector with vast opportunities, has been facing significant downturns. Most recently, Meta, Microsoft, BlackRock, and many others have announced substantial layoffs, which has created an atmosphere of uncertainty for tech professionals, especially those holding H-1B visas. This visa allows skilled workers from abroad to work in the U.S. in specialized fields like software engineering, data analysis, and other technology-related professions. However, the H-1B visa is tied to an employer, meaning that if an H-1B visa holder loses their job, they may also lose their legal right to remain in the U.S.

While H-1B visa holders typically have a 60-day grace period after losing their job to find new employment or leave the country, the pressure to quickly find a new employer willing to sponsor their visa can be overwhelming. For many, the challenge of finding a new job or adjusting their visa status during this short time frame is daunting, and the uncertainty surrounding immigration policy can add to the stress.

This is where the EB-5 program can step in as a viable alternative. Unlike the H-1B visa, which is dependent on employment, the EB-5 visa offers a direct path to U.S. permanent residency (a Green Card) through investment, offering more stability during times of economic turbulence.

What Is the EB-5 Visa Program?

The EB-5 visa program was created by the U.S. government in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy by attracting foreign capital. To qualify for an EB-5 visa, an investor must meet the following basic requirements:

Investment Amount

Invest a minimum of $1,050,000 (or $800,000 if investing in a targeted employment area).

Job Creation

The investment must create at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs.

At-Risk Capital

The invested funds must be at risk in the sense that there is a genuine potential for profit and loss.

Source of Funds

The applicant has to prove that the funds used for the investment were obtained through legal means.

Why EB-5 Is a Strong Option for Those Affected by Tech Layoffs

Graphic symbolizing security and stability, representing the long-term benefits of the EB5 visa for tech workers and families impacted by layoffs.

The EB-5 visa program offers several key advantages for tech workers and other individuals impacted by recent layoffs:

Path to Stability and Security

Unlike the H-1B visa, which is tied to employment with a specific company, the EB-5 visa is based on investment and not dependent on the investor’s job status. For tech professionals who have lost their jobs, the EB-5 program provides an opportunity to secure permanent residency without the need to worry about changing employers or visa status. This stability is especially important at a time when layoffs are frequent and the job market is volatile.

Once an individual successfully invests in the EB-5 program and meets the necessary requirements, they and their immediate family (spouse and children under 21) can obtain U.S. permanent residency. This means that even if layoffs persist, the individual and their family can remain in the U.S. without fear of deportation or losing their legal status.

Tapping Into Current Market Conditions

The financial markets are still experiencing relatively high valuations, making now a potentially advantageous time for those with the means to invest. For those who have accumulated savings, stock options, or other assets through their tech careers, investing in the EB-5 program now could allow them to leverage the current economic climate.

Reduced Risk for Families

For individuals who have relocated to the U.S. on an H-1B visa, a sudden layoff can not only affect their own legal status but also that of their family members. The EB-5 program is advantageous because it allows the entire family (spouse and children under 21) to obtain permanent residency, offering greater peace of mind for families facing uncertain futures.

By choosing the EB-5 path, these families can avoid the anxiety of potentially having to leave the U.S. if the primary visa holder’s employment is disrupted. This is especially important for those who have children who are attending school in the U.S and wish to avoid disruptions in their education or life.

Long-Term Benefits Beyond Immediate Job Security

While the EB-5 program can help H-1B visa holders affected by layoffs secure their status in the U.S., the benefits extend beyond just job security. EB-5 investors and their families also gain access to several long-term benefits:

Access to the U.S. Healthcare System

Permanent residents can access the U.S. healthcare system. This may include some government-funded programs if eligible, which can be especially important for individuals and families who may have lost employer-sponsored health insurance after a layoff.

Education Opportunities

Permanent residents may also qualify for in-state tuition rates for higher education, making college more affordable for children who may have been affected by changes in their parents’ visa status.

Financial Opportunities

Aside from employment flexibilities, a U.S. permanent resident can also pursue entrepreneurial ventures, business opportunities, or start their own company without worrying about visa restrictions.

Adjustment of Status: A Path for H-1B Holders Already in the U.S.

USCIS Form I485 application for adjustment of status, a key step for H-1B visa holders transitioning to permanent residency through the EB5 program.

For H-1B visa holders who are already in the U.S. and wish to adjust their status to that of a permanent resident through the EB-5 program, the adjustment of status process through concurrent filing offers a streamlined pathway. This allows foreign nationals who are already in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa, such as H-1B, to apply for permanent residency without having to return to their home country.

How Adjustment of Status Works With EB-5

Here’s how the process works if you are already in the U.S. on an H-1B visa and wish to adjust your status to a permanent resident through the EB-5 program.

First, you must file the EB-5 petition (Form I-526E) to establish that you meet the requirements of the program, including the investment amount and job creation.

If you qualify for concurrent filing, you can also file your file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) at this stage, along with Form I-765 for employment authorization (EAD) to continue working in the U.S. without the need for an H-1B sponsor. This is a major advantage, as it allows flexibility while your Green Card application is processed.

Once your application for adjustment of status is approved, you and your family will be granted U.S. permanent residency (conditional Green Card). After holding this card for two years, you can apply to remove conditions and become a permanent Green Card holder.

EB5AN Can Help You Get Started With EB-5

The EB5AN logo next to two people in a professional business meeting showcasing trust and partnership, highlighting the benefits of the EB5 visa program for 2025 tech layoff affected individuals.

For those considering the EB-5 program, it’s important to begin the process as soon as possible to avoid the risk of significant delays, as investors from high-demand countries like India and China are expected to face backlogs in several EB-5 categories soon, which means they may lose the opportunity to concurrently file for adjustment of status in the U.S.

The EB-5 process typically involves selecting an investment project (often through regional centers that manage EB-5 projects), completing the application for the EB-5 visa, and undergoing interviews or adjusting status. The timeline can vary, but investors who start now can potentially take advantage of favorable market conditions and secure their future before further economic or political shifts occur.

EB5AN has helped more than 2,300 families from 70+ countries become lawful permanent residents of the United States. Our team has more than a decade of experience and offers clients first-rate, low-risk EB-5 regional center projects with a 100% USCIS project approval rate.

If you would like to know more about your EB-5 investment options, book a free call with our expert team today.

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