For years, opponents of the H-1B visa scheme have argued that it has been used by IT businesses to replace local employees in the US. According to an expert, with the Labor Department recently announcing the H-1B One Workforce Grant Initiative to enable American employees to take up middle to high-skilled jobs, it could further strengthen restrictions on the H-1B visa and, according to an expert, allow more Indian nationals opt for an EB-5 visa. US President Donald Trump has also recently passed an executive order banning foreign nationals from entering the US before the end of the year on H-1B specialty occupation visas. In the executive order, the EB-5 initiative was excluded.

Suresh Rajan, executive chairman and founder of LCR Capital Partners said, "The current administration's steps have placed some pressure on visas such as H-1B and L-1, which are forcing individuals through the EB-5 programme to migrate to the permanent visa and green card. We know for a fact that more EB-5 visas will be available in 2021." LCR is a private investment and consultancy services company that is multinational. India is one of the most important nationalities applying for EB-5, with strong growth over the last two years and the largest source of visa applications in 2019. 585 Indians earned EB-5 visas in 2018, and this number climbed to 760 in 2019. For the first time ever, India has exceeded China in terms of the number of applications submitted. " This shows the power of the Indian market, and as we begin to see business picking up again, I 'm sure this will be improved in the next few months, "Rajan added.

EB-5 helps professionals who want to pursue better job prospects and do not have their visa connected to one organisation to have more flexibility. The Regional Centres have adapted to the recent changes in the legislation of the programme. From being a Chinese Agent model to a more diversified global programme, the EB-5 system has changed. "Immigration would remain a hot topic in US politics when asked about the near-term visa outlook," Rajan said, "and what happens next would depend on the outcome of the next presidential election." In a period of time when job development and economic recovery are one of the key objectives for the US, he noted, there will be pressure to increase the attractiveness of the EB-5 Program.

The pandemic has posed global families and investors with many obstacles and has also demonstrated the positive influence of having an alternative place of residence in times of crisis.

Challenging time

• The US is taking steps to improve American employment, allowing locals to take up medium to highly qualified H-1B occupations.
• Trump recently barred foreign nationals from entering the US before the end of 2020 on H-1B specialty occupation visas.
• Individuals going through the EB-5 programme to the permanent visa and green card system due to growing H-1B restrictions
• The minimum investment sum for EB-5 in November 2019 increased from $500,000 to $900,000.
• India has seen steady growth in visa approvals since 2011 and has exceeded China in terms of EB-5 applications.