In October 2024, the Economist described America’s thriving economy as “the envy of the world”, and no sector in the United States has seen more success this year than the technology industry. With multiple U.S. tech firms among the world’s most valuable companies and rapid growth driven by the AI boom, American tech companies are expanding aggressively and searching for highly qualified professionals to hire.
H-1B workers, particularly Indian nationals, have been particularly benefitted from the tech industry’s success in 2024.
A significant portion of the H-1B visa workforce is made up of tech workers, and Indian nationals dominate this field. In the 2023 fiscal year, Indian nationals alone received 72.3% of all H-1B visa approvals.
If you are working for a U.S. technology firm on an H-1B visa, you likely appreciate the opportunity to work in America’s fastest-growing industry and contribute to the most important advancements in the sector.
Since U.S. tech stock is soaring at record-high prices, you may also be profiting from capital gains as your stock rises in value.
You may now have the opportunity to secure your career in the United States—permanently—by obtaining a U.S. Green Card through the EB-5 program. As a Green Card holder, you will be able to live and work in the United States permanently, for any company, without a need to renew your visa periodically.
As the second Trump administration approaches, now may be an ideal time to use stock proceeds to make an EB-5 investment. This may turn out to be a golden opportunity to smoothly transition from an H-1B visa to a U.S. Green Card in only months—before visa controls and requirements become stricter under the incoming Trump administration.
In this post, we explain how H-1B tech workers can secure their long-term careers in the United States through the EB-5 program—before any potential restrictions on immigration take effect.
U.S. Tech Stock Skyrockets in 2024
What Could Trump’s Second Term Mean for H-1B Workers?
The EB-5 Program: H-1B Tech Workers Can Obtain U.S. Green Cards in Only Months
EB5AN Makes it Easy to Begin the EB-5 Process
U.S. Tech Stock Skyrockets in 2024
Multiple leading U.S. tech companies have reported a surge in stock prices. Leading the industry is Nvidia, whose remarkable year included a $3.6 trillion market capitalization and $33 billion in revenue. Nvidia stock has increased nearly 800% since 2022.
“Nvidia is now so large,” the Economist reports, “that a 13% fall in the chip-designer’s share price between June 18th and 24th, driven by not very much at all, knocked 0.5% off the value of the msci All Country World Index […] The company’s share price later rebounded, rising by 7% over the following two days.”
Similarly, Meta stock reached an all-time high in 2024 as the company neared a $1 trillion market capitalization. And as of November 14, 2024, Amazon stock had increased 41% year-to-date.
H-1B tech workers with stock in these companies are likely gaining value from their shares’ appreciation. Their careers in the tech industry are likely more engaging and lucrative than ever, with even more growth projected for 2025 as more tech firms compete in the AI race.
However, the policies for temporary visa programs are likely to become stricter under the incoming Trump administration, and H-1B workers should plan accordingly.
What Could Trump’s Second Term Mean for H-1B Workers?
President-elect Trump has repeatedly promised to crack down on U.S. immigration policies, making requirements significantly more demanding for visa applicants. Mr. Trump has indicated that he will reinstate travel bans on foreign nationals from certain countries and restrict birthright citizenship.
While it’s unclear how the Trump administration will approach temporary work visa programs, visa controls, and renewals are highly likely to be overseen more carefully.
Qualifying for an H-1B visa and securing renewal is already challenging, as applicants must obtain employer sponsorship and remain employed at the same company.
If an H-1B worker is laid off and is unable to find another sponsor in the same industry, they may have to leave the United States with their families in only weeks—regardless of their career path or how long they have lived in the country.
Any changes to the H-1B program and other visas could potentially come into effect in a matter of months, with Mr. Trump set to take office on January 20, 2024.
H-1B workers can avoid the uncertainties of a temporary work visa, especially under a second Trump term, by making an EB-5 investment.
The EB-5 Program: H-1B Tech Workers Can Obtain U.S. Green Cards in Only Months
Through the EB-5 program, you can apply for a permanent U.S. Green Card, which will allow you to live and work in the United States indefinitely, with few restrictions. Instead of relying on employer sponsorship, you will be able to pursue a career, work part-time or in consulting, or even start your own business.
Green Card holders do not face the possibility of having to leave the United States on short notice if they lose their job, nor do they rely on frequent visa renewals.
If you are an H-1B tech worker—perhaps with appreciating stock in a U.S. tech company—the safest time to make an EB-5 investment is now.
What is more, the EB-5 program’s current policies are allowing H-1B workers and investors on other non-immigrant U.S. visas to gain work and travel permits in a matter of weeks. And investors in rural EB-5 projects are normally receiving their physical U.S. Green Cards within 12 months.
Investors in EB5AN’s projects have received their work and travel permits in as fast as 30 days and Green Cards in 9.5 months.
H-1B Workers, Consider Investing Before Immigration Changes Take Effect Under Trump
If you begin to plan for an EB-5 investment now, you could potentially be holding your physical U.S. Green Card in only months. If so, your long-term career goals in the United States would be more secure, regardless of what direction the U.S. government takes on the H-1B program and other temporary visas.
It’s important to note that the EB-5 process can be significantly faster for applicants who already live in the United States under an H-1B or similar visa. EB-5 investors who already live in the United States can obtain their work and travel permits quickly through concurrent filing, but this benefit is not available for those applying from outside the country.
Additionally, EB-5 investors on H-1B visas can avoid consular processing, which can be long and unpredictable, before obtaining their initial U.S. Green Cards. They can simply adjust their status upon filing their initial I-526E petition.
With a minimum investment amount of only $800,000, many H-1B tech professionals are currently in a position to begin the EB-5 process. Doing so promptly could make a difference in protecting your career and securing your future in the United States.
EB5AN Makes it Easy to Begin the EB-5 Process
EB5AN has helped thousands of investors from around the world get started on the EB-5 process and find institutional-quality real estate investments. Every single one of our EB-5 projects has received USCIS approval, and many of our investors already hold their permanent U.S. Green Cards.
Several projects offer investors the chance to make partial investments, enabling them to file their I-526E petitions more quickly and get in line for their initial Green Cards.
We invite you to schedule a free consultation to discuss how you would like to go about the immigration process. We are able to connect you with leading EB-5 immigration attorneys to help you get started and file Form I-526E.
With a booming tech industry and significant changes to the U.S. immigration system ahead, H-1B tech workers have a valuable opportunity to secure their long-term futures in the United States. We invite you to consider the EB-5 program as a secure path to becoming a permanent resident—and, later, a citizen—of the United States.
