For many Indian families, the U.S. journey follows a familiar path. A student completes education in India, moves to America for higher studies, gains work experience through OPT, transitions to an H-1B visa, and eventually hopes to receive a Green Card.
But there is one important question many families do not discuss early enough:
What happens after the degree and the H-1B?
A U.S. education can create excellent career opportunities. However, permanent residence planning is a separate journey, and for many Indian professionals, the Green Card stage has become the longest part of the process.
Recent estimates around the US green card backlog for Indians highlight why families should understand long-term immigration planning much earlier.
Indian Student Journey: Degree → OPT → H-1B → Green Card
When a family invests in a U.S. education, the initial focus is usually on choosing the right university, managing tuition costs, and understanding career opportunities after graduation. The journey often follows a familiar path: an Indian student moves to a U.S. university, gains work experience through Optional Practical Training (OPT), transitions to an H-1B visa, and eventually applies for an employment-based Green Card.
After completing their studies, many international graduates use OPT to gain practical experience in their field before moving into an H-1B visa, which allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialised occupations. At this stage, many families assume that obtaining an H-1B is the final major step before permanent residence.
However, the Green Card process works differently. An H-1B visa provides the ability to work in the United States, but it does not automatically lead to permanent residence. The employment-based Green Card system has separate eligibility requirements, limited visa availability, and country-based waiting lines that can significantly impact the timeline, especially for Indian applicants.
This Acquest video explains the 179-year EB-2 Green Card estimate and what Indian students and professionals need to know about long-term U.S. immigration planning.
Why the Green Card Stage Is Becoming the Biggest Challenge
For many Indian professionals, securing a job in the United States is only the beginning of the long-term immigration journey. The bigger question is not just about building a successful career, but also about achieving long-term certainty for the family in America.
The employment-based Green Card system has a limited number of immigrant visas available each year. When the number of applicants from a country exceeds the available visa numbers, eligible applicants remain in a waiting queue. This has created a significant H1B green card backlog for Indian professionals, particularly in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories.
For families, this extended waiting period can influence several important life decisions:
- Should we continue building our long-term future in the United States?
- Should we purchase a home or make major financial commitments?
- How should we plan our children’s education and future opportunities?
- How do we manage long-term financial planning and retirement goals?
- What happens if there are changes in employment or visa circumstances?
Understanding these factors early allows families to make informed decisions and create a more practical long-term immigration strategy.
Understanding the US Green Card Backlog for Indians
The current discussion around the US green card waiting time for Indians is driven by the significant growth of the employment-based Green Card backlog. According to estimates from the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), approximately 996,599 Indians were waiting in the EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 employment-based Green Card backlog as of December 2025, representing nearly 79% of the total estimated backlog in these categories.
The estimated backlog among Indian applicants was divided across three major employment-based categories: EB-1 India had approximately 51,619 applicants, EB-2 India had around 731,566 applicants, and EB-3 India had approximately 213,414 applicants. Among these categories, EB-2 India represents the largest challenge, as many Indian professionals with advanced degrees, specialised skills, and professional experience typically fall under this category. The size of this backlog highlights the growing gap between the number of qualified applicants and the availability of Green Card numbers.
Why Early Green Card Planning Matters
he employment-based Green Card backlog exists because the demand from qualified applicants continues to exceed the number of available immigrant visas. While the U.S. employment-based system has a statutory base of at least 140,000 immigrant visas annually, country-based limits create additional challenges for high-demand countries like India.
Even with additional Green Cards becoming available, the backlog has continued to grow. NFAP estimates that the EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 backlog increased from approximately 1.048 million in April 2020 to 1.264 million by December 2025, showing that demand remains higher than available visa numbers.
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For families, it is important to understand that processing time and Green Card waiting time are different. An application may be approved, but the applicant may still wait because a visa number is unavailable. This is why Indian students and H-1B professionals should consider long-term immigration planning early, as decisions around careers, family settlement, and future opportunities can be affected by the Green Card timeline.
About Acquest Advisors
Acquest Advisors is a trusted immigration consultancy. We work with HNI Indian families, business owners, and CXOs on residency and citizenship by investment across the US, Europe, and the UAE. Our advisory combines chartered accounting, corporate banking, and immigration expertise. That depth lets us handle Source of Funds planning, EB-5 project due diligence, documentation, and foreign remittance end to end.
FAQ
Is the 179-year EB-2 Green Card wait time real for Indians?
The 179-year figure is an NFAP projection based on current backlog size and visa availability assumptions. It does not mean every Indian applicant will wait 179 years, but it highlights the significant imbalance in the EB-2 India queue.
Does having an H-1B visa guarantee a Green Card?
No. An H-1B visa allows professionals to work in the United States temporarily, but a Green Card requires a separate immigration process and depends on eligibility, category, and visa availability.
Should Indian students consider Green Card planning before going to the U.S.?
Yes. Students should understand that education, employment, and permanent residence are separate stages. Early planning helps families evaluate realistic timelines and available options.
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About Paresh Karia
Paresh Karia is the CEO of Acquest Advisors. Chartered Accountant by training and a former senior banker at HDFC, ICICI Bank, and ABN Amro, he brings over two decades of experience across global finance, real estate, and investment immigration. That dual lens, financial structuring on one side and immigration strategy on the other, is what lets Acquest evaluate Source of Funds files and EB-5 projects with a depth most pure immigration consultancies cannot match. Read more about Paresh.