India Overtakes China in EB-5 Visa Filings as Backlogs Grow

India filed 668 EB-5 petitions in Q1 FY2026, edging out China's 649, according to the latest data. The shift is driven by Indian H-1B and F-1 visa holders already in the U.S. who are seeking faster permanent residency amid growing backlogs.

A tougher H-1B environment, India's stronger GDP growth, and AI-fueled stock gains boosting Silicon Valley tech wealth are key factors. Indians comprise 23% of the high-tech workforce in the U.S., and many are now turning to the EB-5 program as an alternative path.

Investors are increasingly choosing rural EB-5 set-asides, which remain backlog-free and allow concurrent filing of the I-485 application. This enables them to obtain work and travel permits quickly, offering flexibility that H-1B constraints do not provide.

The surge comes ahead of the September 2026 grandfathering deadline, prompting many to act now to secure faster processing. The trend marks a clear pivot in EB-5 filings, with India overtaking China for the first time in quarterly numbers.