Residents of the United Arab Emirates are facing a strict deadline to secure US permanent residency under the existing $800,000 investment requirement for the EB-5 program. Khaleej Times reports that Congress plans to raise this minimum amount, with estimates pointing toward a new floor of roughly $950,000. Because eligibility depends on the date the petition is submitted, December serves as the final opportunity for applicants to lock in the lower financial bar before the scheduled adjustment takes effect at the end of the year.
The initiative allows qualifying investors, along with their spouses and dependent children, to obtain a Green Card. According to the publication, this route is described as the quickest method to achieve US residency and eventually citizenship. Participants must commit $800,000 to real estate projects that have received government pre-approval. The report highlights that this option is particularly attractive to families in the UAE who wish to support their children’s education at American universities or assist those already studying there.
To help navigate these changes, The American Legal Center is organizing a free informational session in Dubai on November 21. Shai Zamanian, the managing director and an expert on the EB-5 scheme, will lead the discussion at Rove Downtown Dubai. The event aims to clarify the steps required before the year concludes and examine how the evolving political climate in Washington might shape immigration rules in 2027. Zamanian stressed the urgency, noting that those interested should not delay until the final days of December.
The seminar will also address the broader immigration context, which Khaleej Times describes as entering a new phase following recent midterm elections. The publication notes that immigration remains a central priority for the Trump administration, adding political weight to the financial deadline. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions directly during a live Q&A segment. The publication warned that seats are limited and encouraged interested parties to reserve their spots in advance to ensure they can participate.