War fears in the Gulf revive interest in US EB-5 Visa

In the days following the attacks affecting the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, and other Gulf states, conversations within the Indian expatriate community have begun to shift. For many Indian families with lives spread between Dubai, New Delhi, Riyadh, and Mumbai, the Gulf has long represented stability and economic opportunity. Businesses operate there, careers develop there, and children attend school there. But when geopolitical tensions dominate headlines, families often begin to reassess long-term mobility.

Initially, many residents viewed the attacks as a temporary disruption. However, as days pass without a clear resolution, some families are beginning to consider the possibility that instability could persist. The discussion is rarely about leaving immediately. Instead, families are thinking about contingency plans and what options might exist if conditions change.

Ashish Sharma, a logistics entrepreneur who divides his time between Mumbai and Dubai, says the tensions have prompted him to reconsider his family’s timeline. Sharma, who operates offices in both cities and has three children, had planned to explore the EB-5 programme several years from now as they approached university age.

“We always hoped our children would study in the United States, but there didn’t seem to be any urgency,” he says. As uncertainty in the region continues, that thinking has shifted. “We need to think about the kids and understand what our Plan B is. It’s better to be realistic than simply hope it resolves quickly.”

International mobility across the region has also been affected. Several US consular posts in the Middle East have temporarily postponed visa appointments and limited routine services as security conditions evolve, adding uncertainty for families planning travel or relocation.

Against this backdrop, The American Legal Center says interest in the US EB-5 immigrant investor programme has begun to rise. In Dubai, the office reports a steady increase in inquiries from Indian nationals in recent days. Advisers say the rise has been gradual, with more families reaching out as the conflict continues without a clear resolution.

Many inquiries now focus on timelines. Families want to understand how long it takes to prepare an EB-5 petition, what documentation is required, and whether the process can begin while continuing to live and work in the Gulf.

Timing has also become part of the conversation because of a provision in the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. Investors who file before September 30, 2026, fall under a grandfathering rule that allows their applications to proceed even if the programme later requires reauthorisation by the US Congress, nor would they be subject to price increases.

For Indian nationals, the EB-5 pathway has gained importance as employment-based immigration routes to the United States remain heavily backlogged. Waiting times for green cards through employer-sponsored categories can stretch for many years, making EB-5 one of the few structured pathways to permanent residency that does not depend on employer sponsorship.

Under the programme, investors must commit at least $800,000 to a qualifying US development project located in a targeted employment area. In return, the investor and qualifying family members may become eligible for US permanent residency if the investment leads to the required job creation.

Shai Zamanian, a US-licensed lawyer and director of The American Legal Center’s Dubai office, says the increase in inquiries has been gradual but consistent.

“In the first few days after the attacks, many families were simply trying to understand what was happening,” he says. “As time passes and uncertainty continues, the conversations become more practical. People begin asking what options exist if the situation becomes prolonged.”

For many Indian families, education remains a central motivation. Many parents expect their children to study in the United States, and permanent residency can make that transition easier. Others view international residency as a form of diversification, allowing families with businesses and investments across multiple countries to maintain flexibility.

With the September 2026 grandfathering deadline approaching, advisers say many investors are now evaluating whether to begin the process sooner rather than later. For many families in the Gulf, the decision is less about immediate relocation and more about maintaining long-term flexibility in an uncertain geopolitical environment.