Hyderabad, Feb 10– The Law Offices of Nadadur S. Kumar successfully conducted an insightful media briefing at The Quorum, Hyderabad, addressing the rapidly evolving U.S. immigration landscape for Indian students, professionals, investors and families. The session examined pressing visa challenges and strategic pathways, particularly the EB5 investor programme, against the backdrop of the newly announced Indo-US trade agreement and heightened global scrutiny on immigration.
“Immigration today is at the centre of political and economic debate worldwide, and India is exceptional in how deeply it is affected. From student and work visas to long green card backlogs, Indian applicants face unprecedented scrutiny and delays, which is why understanding alternative pathways like the EB5 investor programme has become more critical than ever,” said Mr. Nadadur S. Kumar, a leading U.S. immigration attorney with over 40 years of experience.
Mr. Kumar revealed that F-1 student visas have dropped 50% this year due to tightened consular scrutiny, urging students to apply only to established institutions and maintain impeccable records, as even minor infractions—DUIs, petty theft, or political activism—now result in denials.
The briefing addressed dramatic H-1B changes, including a new $100,000 employer fee applicable only at U.S. consulates (not for in-country status changes) and a weighted lottery favouring advanced degrees and higher wages. With 70% of H-1Bs issued to Indians, Mr. Kumar highlighted L-1 intracompany transfers as a stable alternative with no quotas, particularly for textile exporters establishing U.S. operations. He noted employment-based green cards impose 10-20 year waits for Indians, leaving many professionals in prolonged uncertainty.
The major focus was the EB-5 immigrant investor programme as the most viable route to permanent residency. Mr. Kumar explained that regional centre investments of $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas offer structured pathways with job creation managed by USCIS-approved centres. Drawing on 30 years of practice, he stated, “I have filed thousands of EB-5 cases. Every one of them got their green card and their money back in 4-6 years. Not a single case denied.” He emphasized that EB-5 applicants in the U.S. can obtain work authorization within 5 months, bypassing consulate visits, while capital preservation remains the primary goal.
Attendees engaged in interactive Q&A covering scenarios for students, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors evaluating strategic immigration options.
