On 26 January the US administration confirmed an executive order, effective 21 January, that suspends immigrant-visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries deemed to have low repatriation cooperation. Although Indians are not on the banned list, the policy has an unexpected knock-on effect: approximately 50,000 family-sponsored green cards could go unused in Fiscal Year 2026. Under US law, any shortfall in family quotas rolls over to the employment-based (EB) categories the following year.
A similar rollover during the pandemic fueled record priority-date advancement for EB-2 and EB-3 India, prompting thousands of Indian professionals to file I-485 adjustment applications. Immigration attorneys anticipate a repeat in FY 2027 if the new ban remains in place for a full year. Early projections suggest EB annual limits could rise from 140,000 to roughly 190,000, giving long-backlogged Indian applicants an unexpected lifeline.
![US Visa Ban on 75 Countries May Release 50,000 Extra Green Cards—Opportunity for Indians]()
For those racing to assemble the requisite paperwork before filing windows open, VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) can streamline the process of obtaining police clearances, arranging medical exams, and tracking document validity. The platform’s digital tools and support team keep applicants up to date on shifting U.S. consular requirements, helping them stay ready to submit complete applications the moment priority dates advance.
Indian firms with US operations should encourage eligible employees to ensure PERM labour-certification validity, medicals and police-clearance documentation are up to date so they can file quickly once priority dates advance. Families considering EB-5 investment routes may wish to reassess timelines, as an enlarged EB quota could present a cheaper, employment-based alternative.
Critics argue the policy politicises family immigration and may face legal challenges, but until courts intervene, strategic planning now could shave years off green-card waits for Indian nationals.
A similar rollover during the pandemic fueled record priority-date advancement for EB-2 and EB-3 India, prompting thousands of Indian professionals to file I-485 adjustment applications. Immigration attorneys anticipate a repeat in FY 2027 if the new ban remains in place for a full year. Early projections suggest EB annual limits could rise from 140,000 to roughly 190,000, giving long-backlogged Indian applicants an unexpected lifeline.
For those racing to assemble the requisite paperwork before filing windows open, VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) can streamline the process of obtaining police clearances, arranging medical exams, and tracking document validity. The platform’s digital tools and support team keep applicants up to date on shifting U.S. consular requirements, helping them stay ready to submit complete applications the moment priority dates advance.
Indian firms with US operations should encourage eligible employees to ensure PERM labour-certification validity, medicals and police-clearance documentation are up to date so they can file quickly once priority dates advance. Families considering EB-5 investment routes may wish to reassess timelines, as an enlarged EB quota could present a cheaper, employment-based alternative.
Critics argue the policy politicises family immigration and may face legal challenges, but until courts intervene, strategic planning now could shave years off green-card waits for Indian nationals.
