The US government has banned the H1-B visa for migrants from all over the world till 2021. According to data, every year, nearly 70% of H1-B visas are acquired by Indian nationals. With the H1-B visa ban, a large part of Indian immigrants will have to rethink their US immigration.

In 2019, 131,549 H1-B visas were issued to Indian citizens. Now you cannot apply for an H1-B visa to work in the USA. This has drastic consequences on immigrants who look towards the USA as a country that would provide them a better future.

Consequences of the H1-B visa ban

The US government is facing severe backlash from the US-based technology and business industry, which employed a lot of immigrants. While the US says it will now focus on local hiring, companies are facing challenges to hire talented and skilled migrants from across the globe.

• Immigration restrictions
  The obvious consequence is that skilled workers and individuals will not be allowed to enter the US through the H1-B visa. There are strict restrictions on immigrants. Those who have already applied for the H1-B visa will have to wait for at least a year before stamping is done.
  
  The ban is also likely to impact a large number of people who are seeking renewal of their H1-B visas. They have to go through a strict process, and there are chances that the visa won’t get renewed.
  

• No access to US companies
  With the H1-B visa ban, talented professionals will not be able to apply for jobs in US companies. Even students who have completed their education will be affected by the ban. There is no certainty whether they will be given the H1-B visa or not.
  
  On the other hand, individuals who have applied for the H1-B visa because they got a job offer in the US will have to wait for a year now. They will miss a lot of opportunities and won’t be able to work on any on-site project in the US.
  
  It also means that students who have completed their studies from IIMs or IITs will not have any opportunity to work in MNCs in the US. They would have to settle for companies in India.
  

• Low paying Indian jobs
  If your children dream of living and working in the US, they might have to wait a little longer than expected. In the meantime, they would have to work for low paying jobs in the country. The standard of living in India and the US is incredibly different.
  
  On the economic front, students and professionals will get lower salaries and growth in India than what they would have gotten in the US. They’ll have to short-sell their valuable skills.

What happens to F1, OPT, H4, L1, H2B visa holders?

The ban has put other visa holders in a dilemma. They are worried about the consequences of this immigration ban on their visa status.

F1 visa is issued to students for studying in the country. Currently, F1 visas are not banned for existing students in the United States. They can convert it into a work visa without any problem.

OPT visa holders will also not face any impact of the H1-B visa ban. They will be allowed to carry on their temporary work status along with their studies in the US.

The existing H4 visa holders will not be a part of the ban. Issued for dependents of H1-B visa holders, there would be restrictions on new visa issuance.

L1 and H2B visas will be delayed along with H1-B visas till 2021. H2B visa holders will get the visa after some time but for a short period of time. L1 and H1-B visa applications will have to wait until after the ban is lifted. 

US immigration by investment: 3 alternatives to H1-B visa

Now that the H1-B visa is banned, immigrants are looking for alternatives to enter the US. And why not – the country offers countless opportunities, high-quality lifestyle, and world-class infrastructure.

You don’t have to worry if you can’t immigrate to the US through the H1-B visa. There are several other options through which you can migrate to the US, and maybe easier than the H1-B visa.

Programs like the EB-5 investor visa and E-2 treaty programs are excellent options for you to migrate to the US. If you don’t want to migrate to the US, you can easily explore other options like the Portugal investment visa, Canada residency by investment and many more.

Here are three best alternatives to the H1-B visa for migration to the US – 

• EB-5 investor visa program
  This is one of the best alternatives to enter the US and enjoy the lifestyle. The EB-5 investment visa allows you to invest in the real estate project of any regional center in the country. By investing in the EB-5 immigrant investor program, you can get your family a quick GREEN CARD in the US – much faster than the H1-B visa.
  
  If you’re already familiar with the US EB-5 investment visa, you might be worried about the backlog. However, the latest statement in July 2020 by the USCIS says that there is NO EB-5 visa backlog for India.
  
  It means that applications are running along with the current date. Your family can get a Green Card through investment in real estate within 24-36 months.
  
  Why choose the EB-5 investor visa program for migration
  
  There are several reasons you should choose the EB-5 investor visa to migrate after the H1-B visa ban. Some of them include – 

• Quick access to world-class universities and schools for your children
• One of the world’s most developed healthcare systems
• Freedom to live in places like New York, Chicago, San Francisco and many more
• Access to the world’s strongest currency and highest GDP
• Excellent return on your investment and the opportunity to start your own business
• Visa-free travel to 166+countries of the world
• The ultimate path to a US citizenship

The EB-5 visa program is one of the best opportunities to become a US resident and then a citizen. EB-5 minimum investment starts at $900,000 for a family of four members.

• Grenada E-2 visa
  H1-B visas are a lot of hassle. You can get stuck in the process, or your application might get rejected. To avoid all these issues, Grenada citizenship by investment is the most lucrative way to enter the US.
  
  Grenada citizenship by investment programs provides you and your family the citizenship of this Caribbean country. Grenada is a beautiful country with over half a million tourists every year. The country is highly-preferred as a Plan B and to achieve a peace of mind after retirement.
  
  However, that’s not all. Grenada E-2 visa treaty with the US enables the citizens to get a US visa without any problem. Yes – you can get a US visa in JUST 4 MONTHS as a Grenadian citizen! The best thing about Grenada citizenship by investment is that you can become a citizen in 3-4 months, apply for a US visa, and then get it in the next 4 months.

  
  Why apply for Grenada citizenship for E-2 visa USA

  Grenada is turning out to be a highly preferred choice for investors to migrate to the US. On the other hand, the booming economy also provides them an excellent return on investment. Some of the Grenada citizenship benefits include – 

• A beautiful country with white sand beaches and lush green landscapes

• Live in one of the most culturally rich society

• Enjoy peace of mind by living oceanside

• Visa-free travel to 122+ countries including the Schengen Zone

• No tax on worldwide income – keep everything to yourself

• Best path to get a US visa as a citizen and maintain dual citizenship

• World-class education benefits for your children.
  

The best thing about the Grenada citizenship E-2 visa is that the minimum investment amount starts with only $200,000 for a family of four. Once you become a citizen, you’ll only have to pay a nominal fee to get the E-2 US visa.

• Montenegro immigration program
  Montenegro is one of the most excellent ways to enter the US after the H1-B visa ban. The beautiful country boasts of a high-class lifestyle and scenic landscapes that make it worth living in the country.
  
  Montenegro Citizenship by investment program provides you and your family the citizenship of Montenegro. Once you acquire Montenegrin citizenship, your family can apply for the E-2 visa as citizens. It is one of the most preferred paths to get a US visa and migrate.
  
  On top of that, Montenegro is the best candidate for EU ascension and will probably become a member by 2025. So if you get a Montenegro investment visa and become citizens today, your children become European citizens in just a couple of years. You and your family get the best of both the worlds – the US and Europe.
  
  Why invest in Montenegro for US immigration
  
  Montenegro is a prime location for tourism as well as a peaceful place to relocate after retirement. Some of the benefits of Montenegro citizenship include – 

• Beautiful country and holiday destination that could be your home
• Opportunity to become a European citizen 
• High-quality of life and a stable economy
• Better opportunities for children in the EU
• Access to US E-2 visa within 4 months of citizenship
• Visa-free travel to 100+ countries.

The Montenegro citizenship by investment program starts at only €250,000 for a family of four members. It is one of your best shots to get a US visa and  future European citizenship.

BONUS ALTERNATIVES: Portugal and Canada

If you have altogether forfeited the idea of migrating to the US considering the strictness in immigration, you have two of the best migration opportunities open for you – Canada and Portugal.

Canada Investor Visa Program

The Canada investor visa program includes several provinces of Canada like British Columbia, Montreal, and others where you can get residency. By investing in the Canada residency by investment program, you and your family can get quick Canada PR and settle in the country.

Canada is a dream country to settle for many Indians. Your children may also dream of living in Canada. The country offers everything that the US offers – and more. Canada is one of the most preferred investment destinations due to its economic stability.

When you get a Canada golden visa, you enjoy all the benefits of a permanent resident. Your family gets access to free healthcare, education, and world-class lifestyle. You can travel visa-free to 160+ countries of the world. Canada is also one of the safest countries in the world, providing you a peace of mind that you cannot achieve in the US.

The Canada residency by investment programs starts with a minimum investment of CAD 200,000. You can enjoy high returns on your investment in a short amount of time in Canada.

Portugal Golden Visa Investment Program

Portugal’s investment immigration program is quickly becoming the leading immigration choice for Indian HNIs and UHNIs. The European country is a beautiful and stable alternative to the US. Within 6-12 months, you and your family can obtain a temporary resident visa in Portugal for a period of 5 years.

Portugal residency by investment program allows you to access all the benefits given to residents of Europe. You can give world-class European education to your children. Your family can enjoy the cultural-rich life of Portugal and travel anywhere visa-free in the Schengen Zone, along with 160+ countries.

The minimum investment amount for Portugal immigration by investment program is €350,000 for a family of four. It is extremely cheap, considering you’ll be living in Europe – the dream destination of all the world.

Conclusion: US entry is still open for you

The above alternatives to the H1-B visa are becoming popular in the wake of the visa ban. While H1-B visa is a temporary residence for migrants, investment visas promise residency and all the benefits that come with citizenship except the right to vote.

Other than that, Europe and Canada are other locations that you can explore for migration. Portugal and Canada are both powerful countries, which will allow you to easily get a US visa.

What are you waiting for? Contact the team at My Global Citizenship™ and begin your immigration by investment journey today.