From Studying Abroad to Staying, Staying in the US Without Status is a Gamble!

Recently, Ivy League schools such as Princeton, Harvard, Yale, and Columbia have successively announced their admission data for the class of 2029. A clear trend is that admission rates have slightly increased, and the proportion of international students has remained stable or even slightly increased, indicating that top American universities still welcome outstanding students from around the world.

However, for many families, Ivy League admission is just the first step; the real anxiety is whether their children can stay and establish themselves in the future.

International Student Admissions

Opportunities Still Exist

• Stable Proportion of International Students: Despite policy pressures, the proportion of international students remains stable. Princeton University's international student proportion is 14.1%; Harvard University's is 15.8%; Yale University's is 10%; Columbia University's is 16%. Renowned institutions are still actively attracting global talent.

• Academic Requirements Remain High: Admitted students' SAT/ACT scores remain top-notch, with class rankings often in the top 10%. Strong academic performance and impressive backgrounds remain core competitive advantages.

• More Friendly Financial Aid: Princeton covers full costs for families earning below $150,000; Harvard offers free tuition for families earning below $100,000; 54% of Columbia's freshmen receive financial aid. Ivy League schools are expanding aid coverage. For applicants from low- and middle-income families, there is no need to abandon Ivy League schools due to "tuition concerns"; fully utilizing financial aid policies can significantly enhance the cost-effectiveness of applications.

In other words, while applying is difficult, international students are not excluded. The real challenges often arise after enrollment.

 

Common Anxiety Among International Students

Identity Issues

Entering a prestigious school is just the beginning; to establish oneself in the US after graduation, one must face identity issues.

• OPT is Just a Transition: F-1 students typically rely on OPT work permits to enter the workforce after graduation, but OPT is temporary, especially for non-STEM majors, which may face shortening or even cancellation.

• H-1B Highly Uncertain: The lottery is no longer entirely based on "luck"; salary levels have become a key variable. The higher the salary, the greater the chance of being selected. Newly graduated international students and entry-level workers almost completely lose opportunities; employer scrutiny is becoming stricter, and many companies prefer to hire locals directly. Even if one obtains an H-1B, it is only valid for six years, during which a green card must be pursued, or one may be forced to leave the country. Additionally, the H1-B application fee has skyrocketed to $100,000, which is no longer just a hurdle but a wall.

• Green Card Waiting Time is Endless: Most people, even if they reach the H-1B stage, have to wait 10 years or more to obtain a green card, and any policy changes during this time could render efforts futile.

This is the sense of powerlessness many international students feel: having the ability but being forced to leave due to lack of status.

 

Status is the Real Confidence in Staying in the US

——EB-5 Fast Track

Compared to constantly worrying about visas and waiting for lotteries, a green card is the fundamental assurance for children and families. With a green card:

• No longer dependent on employers; unemployment does not equal loss of status.

• More advantageous educational resources; in-state tuition, scholarships, and financial aid are fully accessible.

• Free to pursue employment and entrepreneurship; children can choose any industry and any city to develop.

• The whole family benefits; parents and children can obtain status simultaneously.

Currently, EB-5 investment immigration is experiencing an unprecedented opportunity:

• Quickly obtain a green card: Under the new law, rural EB-5 projects are exempt from waiting periods and enjoy priority review;

• Dual Submission: EB-5 applicants within the US, including international students, can simultaneously submit I-526E immigration applications and I-485 status adjustment applications, and receive a Combo card in about three months.

This means that while children apply to Ivy League schools and plan their studies, families can also secure status certainty in advance. Instead of pinning hopes on the luck of OPT and H-1B, seize the current policy window of EB-5 and firmly grasp status in your own hands.

In EB-5 investments, securing a priority date early is the first step to success. Now is the golden period for immigrating to the US; seize the opportunity and act quickly!

 

EB-5 "Grandfather Clause"

Entering the Final Year Countdown

Meanwhile, the EB-5 grandfather clause is entering its final year countdown! The clause expires on September 30, 2026, meaning the last window to secure policy protection for investors has begun its sprint.

 

Trump's "Golden Card Immigration" Project

A New Path to Immigrate to the US

In addition to EB-5 investment immigration, another recent focus of US immigration policy is the "Golden Card Immigration" project. The world's first! World Trade Tong Group, in collaboration with two top US law firms, proudly launches Trump's "Golden Card Immigration" project, featuring an investment amount similar to EB-5; no job creation requirement; direct and permanent green card; no need to worry about the expiration of laws and grandfather clauses; ample visa quotas, up to 8.5 times the EB-5 quota, with five unique highlights.

World Trade Tong has opened the pre-sale channel for Trump's "Golden Card Immigration" project. Register now, submit early, and when the project launches, we will help you secure submission slots ahead of others, gaining a faster path to a US green card.