By Marta Lillo
Foreign nationals studying in the U.S. under an F-1 visa who wish to remain in the country can apply for a green card through the EB-5 investor visa program.
EB-5 attorneys believe this route is the most useful, as these investors can begin their process in the U.S. directly while still studying.
Before the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) was passed in 2022, this immigration route was inexistent as students could only apply for optional practical training (OPT) for 12 months; two years in the case of STEM students. If they applied for EB-5, they had to wait for their I-526 petition to be approved first get a green card to work.
The new law opened a new venue for F-1 students and other student visa options, adding the concurrent filing option so they can file to obtain permanent residency while being able to work and travel to and from the U.S.
“RIA was a game-changer,” says Marko Issever, chief executive officer of America EB5 Visa, LLC.