The US President Donald Trump announced a new path to citizenship called “Gold Card” at the Oval Office on February 25, 2025. According to this announcement, the US will begin issuing Gold Cards to non-Americans in exchange for a $5 million capital investment in two weeks. And it will replace the EB-5 investor visas.
As Trump’s Gold Card plan is being discussed, legal authorities state that its feasibility is uncertain due to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This act is responsible for granting of permanent investment visas. Therefore, only the Congress can establish or eliminate a program.
In this article, we will guide you through details about Trump’s Golden Visa, which gives Green Card privileges. And we will keep you informed as the new breakdowns come up. In the meantime, you can also take a look at our industry insight to get a further understanding.
What You Will Find In This Article
- Trump Gold Card in a Nutshell
- What is The US Golden Visa?
- Eligibility Criteria For $5 Million Gold Card Visa Program
- Key Benefits Of The US Golden Visa Program
- How Does Trump’s Gold Card Visa Work For Foreign Investment?
- Challenges of Trump’s Golden Visa Program
- How is a Gold Card Different from the EB-5 Program?
- How Does the Trump Gold Card Compare to Other Countries’ Golden Visa Programs?
Trump Gold Card in a Nutshell
- The Gold Card, also known as the Trump Gold Card, is a residence permit for non-American investors, costing a minimum investment of $5 million.
- Its benefits include permanent residency, a pathway to citizenship, business opportunities, economic growth, and attracting capital to the US.
- The primary aim of President Donald Trump’s Gold Card is to reduce the international debt by attracting high-net-individuals.
- The processing time is expected to be quick since individuals do not need to handle all the heavy paperwork thanks to the reduced bureaucracy.
- The cost of the Trump Gold Card program is expected to be $5 million, however the details related to additional expenses have not been revealed yet.
- It requires wealth-based investment compared to EB-5 investor visas which are based on job creation.
- People with Trump Gold Card visas are not taxed on income that they earn outside the US.
- It might also include arrangements for companies who want to support young talents.
What is The US Golden Visa?
According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, there is a transition in US investment immigration policy from job creation to wealth-based. The new program is considered to replace EB-5. Reformed in 2022, EB-5 program requires investment of around $800.000-1.000.000. To obtain a Green Card, individuals must donate a creation of 10 American jobs under this program.
On the other hand, Trump Gold Card requires $5 million. Thus, it will focus on non-Americans, who are willing to obtain permanent US residency.
Eligibility Criteria For $5 Million Gold Card Visa Program
To apply for US citizenship, here are some of the key qualifications you need to know:
- Being a non-American citizen, regardless of country of origin
- Making a minimum amount of $5 million investment, no need to create jobs
Note that the information is limited and we will keep you updated as the announcement comes.
Key Benefits Of The US Golden Visa Program
The proposed $5 million Gold Card visa program provides an easy route to citizenship. Let’s now look at how:
- Like Green Cards, it will guarantee permanent residency in the US (There is no detailed explanation for the requirements).
- It is supposed to reduce the international debt of the US by bringing high-net-individuals investment, creating more job opportunities.
- Investors can take the advantage of being free from external income tax.
- The process might be quick unlike other immigration investment options.
How Does Trump’s Gold Card Visa Work For Foreign Investment?
Despite the announcement of the Gold Card Visa, there is actually less information about it. The US president cannot eliminate the EB-5 program and lawfully propose a citizenship investment option. But Trump told reporters that Gold Cards will not require Congressional approval.
Nevertheless, the recent details are revealed down below:
- Think of a Gold Card Visa as a pay-to-play system.
- There are no capacity limits as President Donald Trump speaks he plans to sell one million Green Cards.
- There is no need to create 10 American jobs or make an enterprise.
- All you need to do is to make a 5 million dollar financial investment. Then, you can get permanent residency.
Challenges of Trump’s Golden Visa Program
The challenges of President Donald Trump’s Gold Card program would likely include legal and political obstacles. Now let’s look at how.
Legal and Political Considerations
The Immigration and Nationality Act is under the control of the Congress. Based upon that, Green Card and other investment based immigration categories can only be changed or eliminated with Congressional approval. Therefore, Trump’s explanations may conflict with it. Future administrations could cancel or change it, adding more uncertainty.
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How is a Gold Card Different from the EB-5 Program?
The concept of Gold Card Visa comes to replace the existing EB-5 investment program by giving the privileges of Green Card program. Based on Howard Lutnick’s statements, the minimum foreign investment wage that EB-5 immigrant investors make is stated to be too low. Thus, it generates no income for the federal government.
Although Gold Card and EB-5 offer American citizenship, they differ from each other in terms of investment options. Here you can see how:
| Trump Gold Card | EB-5 Program | |
|---|---|---|
| The Investment Amount | $5 million | Minimum $800,000 – $1,000,000 |
| Target Audience | High-net-worth individuals, prioritizing wealth-based entry. | Mostly entrepreneurs, promoting job creation in the American market. |
| Capacity Limit | Limitless as Trump plans to sell one million. | Less than 10,000 annually. |
| Taxes | Free from external income tax, responsible for internal income tax. | Responsible for both internal and external income tax. |
| Economic Growth | Less options. | More options. |
| Process | Expected to be quick thanks to less bureaucracy. | Takes 6-12 months. |
| Family Inclusion | Anticipated to include immediate family members, but official immigration policy details are pending. | Includes the investor’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old. |
| Renewal/Validity | Expected to grant permanent legal residency. | Provides conditional US residency for two years, after which investors can apply for permanent legal residency. |
| Processing Fees | No specific information about additional processing or administrative fees. | Involves government filing fees and possible administrative fees, depending on the investment project. |
How Does the Trump Gold Card Compare to Other Countries’ Golden Visa Programs?
Recent immigration statistics show that countries around the world offer Golden Visa programs to attract foreign investors. Trump’s Gold Card program, while still uncertain, appears to differ in key ways from established programs in nations like Portugal, Greece, and Italy.
Most investor visas grant global mobility in exchange for investment in real estate, business, or government bonds. For example, Portugal Golden Visa program offers fund investment, cultural donation and job creation options to provide EU citizenship. Similarly, Greece offers investment opportunities in real estate and government bonds, granting investors visa-free access to the Schengen area. On the other hand, the Trump administration seems more focused on attracting foreign investors who desire to get rid of the worldwide taxation burden.
Another major difference is the approval process. Many countries have clear legal frameworks and pathways for applicants, whereas the Gold Card program may face legal challenges and require Congressional approval. Additionally, while most Golden Visa holders enjoy a smooth transition to citizenship, it remains unclear if the new program would provide a similar pathway. Therefore, as the new updates come from the White House, we will renew this article to enlighten you.
