In a world increasingly driven by innovation and technology, the United States continues to be a global hub for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professionals and students. Drawn by the state-of-the-art research facilities, world-class education, and lucrative job opportunities in the U.S. tech industry, thousands of aspirants from around the world come to the United States every year to pursue higher education or advance their careers in the fast-evolving STEM field.
STEM professionals typically obtain employment through work visas such as the H-1B visa, which allows skilled workers to live and work in the United States on a temporary resident status. For international students seeking enrollment in higher education or research programs, the F-1 visa is the most common route by which they can stay in the country for the duration of their program and the post-study Optional Practical Training (OPT).
However, both the H-1B and F-1 visas have significant restrictions and are only valid for a limited period. If foreign nationals want long-term residency and a stable career, they must explore other visa options that allow them to live and work in the United States without these limitations.
In this article, we will explore how the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is an excellent alternative for STEM professionals and students that offers a streamlined route to career advancement besides providing several other benefits of permanent U.S. residency.
EB-5 for STEM Professionals
Why STEM Students Should Switch From F-1 to EB-5
Transitioning to EB-5
Secure Your Career With EB5AN
EB-5 for STEM Professionals
The EB-5 program was established by Congress in 1990 to stimulate the economy through foreign capital. It allows foreign investors and their families to obtain U.S. permanent residency in exchange for making a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs for American workers.
The EB-5 investor visa is one of the fastest ways for foreign nationals and their dependents (the spouse and unmarried children under 21) to secure a U.S. Green Card, which gives them unrestricted freedom to live, work, or study anywhere in the United States.
H-1B Limitations
Most STEM professionals looking for career opportunities in the United States try to obtain an H-1B visa that needs to be sponsored by an employer. However, the H-1B visa comes with several limitations, starting with the uncertainty of getting through the highly competitive H-1B visa lottery. Due to an annual cap on H-1B visas and oversubscription, many qualified applicants are left disappointed even after having a job offer from a U.S. employer.
For those who are successful in getting an H-1B visa, their legal status remains tied to their employer sponsorship, which makes changing jobs very complicated. If they lose their employment, they have only 60 days to find another one to maintain their visa status. Moreover, they are restricted to working in the specific role and field for which the visa was approved. H-1B holders also face restrictions when starting a business or working as freelancers, and doing so can violate their visa conditions.
EB-5 Advantages Over H-1B
In comparison, the EB-5 visa has none of these limitations and can be the ideal solution for STEM professionals looking to build a long and successful career in the United States. Particularly in the wake of the recent layoffs in the tech industry, the EB-5 visa offers a lifeline to H-1B workers facing uncertainty of employment and visa status.
Unlike H-1B, which is a temporary nonimmigrant visa, the EB-5 visa is an immigrant visa that offers a direct pathway to U.S. permanent residency and citizenship. It does not require applicants to have a sponsor and gives them complete freedom to work for any company or be self-employed.
This independence is particularly valuable for STEM professionals who want the flexibility to pursue entrepreneurial ventures or switch jobs without worrying about visa compliance. Having a permanent resident status under the EB-5 visa, they can take full advantage of the booming U.S. tech and innovation sectors. They can work in any U.S. state, launch start-ups, or move seamlessly between roles to advance their careers.
EB-5 Benefits for Families
The EB-5 visa offers significant benefits not only to investors but also to their spouses and children. As Green Card holders, investors’ family members are free to reside, work, and study anywhere in the United States. There is no restriction on international travel either, plus they enjoy visa-free entry to many countries.
With easy access to the U.S. education system, EB-5 Green Card holders can enroll in prestigious institutions, save substantially on tuition, and apply for federal student aid. They also become eligible for almost all healthcare and social benefits available to U.S. citizens.
Why STEM Students Should Switch From F-1 to EB-5
STEM students pursuing advanced degrees on F-1 visas often face uncertainties regarding their long-term ability to stay and work in the United States, especially after completing their studies and OPT. STEM students get an extended OPT period of three years, after which they must transition to another visa or leave the country.
As discussed earlier, obtaining an H-1B visa is not guaranteed, even with a job offer and employer sponsorship. Those who are lucky enough to get selected in the H-1B lottery must deal with various restrictions that prevent H-1B workers from reaching their full potential.
EB-5 Advantages Over F-1
The EB-5 visa opens doors to unlimited career opportunities and a wide range of benefits for international students, both during and after their studies. While F-1 students are allowed to work on campus only for a few hours per week, EB-5 visa holders are free to take up any off-campus job to obtain valuable work experience even while studying. This significantly impacts their prospects in the job market once they complete their course.
In fact, many employers prefer hiring candidates with Green Cards over those requiring visa sponsorship, as it simplifies the hiring process and reduces costs.
With a Green Card, students can choose to work for any employer, freelance, launch start-ups, lead research initiatives, or engage in other unrelated activities to generate extra income.
The EB-5 visa is also a great alternative for students who fail to secure an F-1 visa due to rejection. With a Green Card, their chances of getting accepted into a prestigious U.S. educational institution are much higher than for international students.
As Green Card holders, they may also qualify for lower tuition rates as well as financial aid, grants, and scholarships, which not only reduces education costs but also increases the choice of institutions that would have been otherwise unaffordable for them.
Another benefit of transitioning to a Green Card is that students can freely travel abroad without jeopardizing their visa status, especially if they wish to take academic or career-related trips outside the country. Global mobility is a key advantage for STEM professionals, as it allows them to expand their networks and leverage international opportunities.
Transitioning to EB-5
For eligible foreign nationals already in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa such as H-1B or F-1, transitioning to EB-5 has never been easier.
Thanks to the EB-5 concurrent filing provision introduced by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), EB-5 applicants can now file their EB-5 petition (Form I-526E) and the petition for adjustment of status (Form I-485) simultaneously. Once both petitions are filed, their legal status shifts to “pending adjustment,” allowing them to stay in the United States even if their nonimmigrant visa is terminated.
They can also apply for work and travel permits, which are generally approved within weeks. This way, the concurrent filing provision allows them to live, work, study, and travel without restrictions, offering them significant Green Card benefits much before their permanent resident status approval.
Secure Your Career With EB5AN
By providing a direct and stable path to permanent residency, the EB-5 program enables STEM professionals to focus on progressing in their careers without having to worry about their legal status in the United States. Whether they already have an H-1B or F-1 visa or want to apply for one, the EB-5 visa is a better alternative they must consider if they wish to achieve professional excellence.
With careful planning and expert professional advice, they can easily navigate the complex EB-5 process and enjoy the privileges of being a Green Card holder. As a leading EB-5 firm with over a decade of experience, EB5AN has helped thousands of foreign nationals relocate to the United States as lawful permanent residents. To hear about the real-life success stories of our clients, check out our testimonials.
If you’d like to know more about the EB-5 visa, feel free to book a one-on-one call with our expert team today.
