What Is the Green Card Backlog?
Many families across the UAE and Saudi Arabia dream of giving their children a secure future in the United States. Whether it’s access to top universities, stable career paths, or long-term security, U.S. permanent residency, the green card, is seen as a key milestone.
But what many don’t realise until it’s too late is just how long the wait for a green card can be. This delay, known as the green card backlog, affects thousands of applicants, making alternatives like EB-5 even more important for families from high-demand countries like India, who are hit the hardest.
Some families wait 10, 15, even 20 years or more.
This is where the EB-5 Investor Visa becomes an important option. While others are stuck in line, EB-5 allows families to move forward by investing in the U.S. economy; they can apply for permanent residency for themselves and their children without being tied to a job or nationality-based quota.
As more families in the UAE and Saudi Arabia become aware of this backlog, many are acting early, using EB-5 to avoid the risks and delays that come with traditional immigration routes.
Why Is the Green Card Backlog So Long?
The U.S. only issues a limited number of green cards each year. Additionally, there’s a rule that no more than 7% of these cards can be awarded to individuals from any one country, regardless of the number of applicants.
For countries like India, where demand is extremely high, this rule creates long and uncertain waiting periods even for highly skilled professionals and families who have done everything right.
Many applicants entered the U.S. on student or work visas, paid taxes, and built their lives there. But their green card applications don’t move. This leaves families, especially those with children studying in the U.S., in a difficult position, with no clear path forward.
For families in the UAE or Saudi Arabia who have the means and awareness, this is exactly why exploring the EB-5 visa early is now seen as a smarter, more proactive move.
How the Backlog Affects Families in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Long delays in the U.S. immigration process aren’t just frustrating; they create serious risks for families:
- Children may age out: Once a child turns 21, they can no longer stay in the U.S. as part of a parent’s green card application
- Education is at risk: Students may lose legal status after graduation if the family’s green card hasn’t been approved
- Work restrictions: Parents and professionals on temporary visas can’t freely change jobs or start businesses
- Uncertainty causes stress: Families can’t make long-term plans for housing, investments, or education
These are not future problems; they’re happening now to thousands of families, including many from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. And the wait isn’t improving. That’s why more families are choosing to apply for EB-5 and take control of their U.S. immigration journey, rather than stay stuck in a system that doesn’t move.
Why EB-5 Is Emerging as a Strong Solution
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa allows families to apply for U.S. green cards by investing $800,000 in a government-approved project.
It’s not a lottery. It’s not a job offer. It’s a direct and legal path to permanent residency, and for many UAE- and Saudi Arabia–based families, it offers the peace of mind they’ve been searching for.
Why EB-5 works so well in this situation:
- With EB-5, one investment opens the door for the entire family, including the investor, spouse, and children under 21, and the best part is that if the application is submitted before the child turns 21, their age is protected, so they still qualify even if they turn 21 during the process.
- No employer is needed, so you’re not tied to a job or subject to layoffs
- You’re not affected by the same country caps that slow down other visa types
- You can live, work, or study anywhere in the U.S.
- Many applicants under reserved visa categories see faster processing, often within 9–18 months
This route is especially helpful for families whose children are close to turning 21 or entering university, because waiting could mean losing the chance to include them in your green card application.
What’s New in 2025 And Why It Matters Now
In 2022, the U.S. government passed the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act, which introduced reserved visa categories. These are now making the EB-5 process faster and more accessible for new applicants:
- 20% of EB-5 visas are reserved for rural area projects
- 10% are for high-unemployment zones
- 2% are for infrastructure projects
Applicants who invest in these types of projects do not face retrogression (the green card delay caused by oversubscription from one country). That means faster approvals and less uncertainty.
For families in Saudi Arabia and the UAE looking for a stable U.S. immigration route, this is a window of opportunity that may not stay open forever.
What Indian Families in the UAE and Saudi Arabia Are Doing Differently
In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, many Indian families with children studying in the U.S. or planning to send them soon are acting early. They don’t want to rely only on H-1B or employment-based visas that may not lead to permanent residency.
Instead, they are choosing the EB-5 route after learning about it from trusted advisors and immigration consultants who specialise in U.S. investor immigration. One such name is Sternon, which works closely with Indian families in the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, to help them understand the EB-5 process and explore eligible investment options.
Having access to local, clear guidance is often what makes it easier for families to make confident decisions, especially when they are considering a step as important as moving their children or securing U.S. residency.
Conclusion
The green card backlog is a reality, especially for Indian applicants. For families in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the challenge is not just the wait, but the risks that come with it: children ageing out, status issues, limited options, and an uncertain future.
The EB-5 investor visa offers a way forward. It’s a legal, direct, and secure solution that helps families break free from the backlog and start planning with confidence.
By acting early and with the right guidance, families in Saudi Arabia and the UAE can use EB-5 to protect their children’s future, gain flexibility, and move toward U.S. permanent residency without waiting for the system to change.
For questions or guidance on how EB-5 could work for your family, you can reach out to:
📞 +971 43519070
📩 info@sternon.com
🌐 www.sternon.com
