In a bold move to attract affluent investors and address the national debt, President Donald Trump unveiled the $5 million "Gold Card" visa program on April 3, 2025. This initiative offers a streamlined pathway to U.S. residency and eventual citizenship for high-net-worth individuals willing to make a significant financial commitment.
How the Gold Card looksPresident Trump showed off the Gold Card's design, which prominently displays his picture and signature, to reporters on Air Force One. "For $5 million, this could be yours," he said, highlighting the offering's uniqueness. The design of the card is modeled after American cash, signifying its grandeur and worth.
Replacing the EB-5 Visa programThe current EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which required a minimum investment of $1 million and the creation of at least 10 U.S. jobs, will be replaced with the Gold Card. The goal of the new scheme, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, is to remove the EB-5 visa's fraud vulnerabilities. According to him, candidates will go through a thorough screening process to make sure they are "world-class global citizens."
Read more: 6 safe travel destinations for F-1 Visa holders in 2025
Eligibility and benefits
Targeted at ultra-wealthy individuals, the Gold Card offers several advantages:
Residency Status: Immediate US residency upon approval.
Pathway to Citizenship: While not granting immediate citizenship, it allows holders to work toward it after meeting residency requirements.
Tax Incentives: Holders are exempt from taxes on income earned outside the U.S., though domestic income remains taxable.
Economic implicationsAccording to the administration, the program will have a significant positive economic impact. According to President Trump, the sale of one million Gold Cards might bring in $5 trillion, which would go a long way towards lowering the national debt. Over 1,000 cards have already been sold, according to Commerce Secretary Lutnick, and there may be a demand among the 37 million or so people who can afford the visa worldwide.
Read more: US tightens Green Card rules: What it means for post-marriage travel plans
Controversies and criticisms
In spite of its possible advantages, the Gold Card is facing criticism. Some argue that the $5 million price tag is exorbitant and that it undermines the principles of equitable immigration while favoring the wealthy. Additionally, the card's design, which includes an image of Donald Trump, has drawn criticism for being "tacky" and "tone-deaf." There have also been concerns raised about the program's authenticity and its capacity to draw in people looking to take advantage of the system.
The Gold Card visa program is slated to launch within two weeks of its announcement. As the administration prepares for its rollout, immigration experts and potential applicants are keenly observing how this initiative will reshape the landscape of US immigration and its broader socio-economic impact.
How the Gold Card looksPresident Trump showed off the Gold Card's design, which prominently displays his picture and signature, to reporters on Air Force One. "For $5 million, this could be yours," he said, highlighting the offering's uniqueness. The design of the card is modeled after American cash, signifying its grandeur and worth.
Replacing the EB-5 Visa programThe current EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which required a minimum investment of $1 million and the creation of at least 10 U.S. jobs, will be replaced with the Gold Card. The goal of the new scheme, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, is to remove the EB-5 visa's fraud vulnerabilities. According to him, candidates will go through a thorough screening process to make sure they are "world-class global citizens."
Read more: 6 safe travel destinations for F-1 Visa holders in 2025
Eligibility and benefits
Targeted at ultra-wealthy individuals, the Gold Card offers several advantages:
Residency Status: Immediate US residency upon approval.
Pathway to Citizenship: While not granting immediate citizenship, it allows holders to work toward it after meeting residency requirements.
Tax Incentives: Holders are exempt from taxes on income earned outside the U.S., though domestic income remains taxable.
Economic implicationsAccording to the administration, the program will have a significant positive economic impact. According to President Trump, the sale of one million Gold Cards might bring in $5 trillion, which would go a long way towards lowering the national debt. Over 1,000 cards have already been sold, according to Commerce Secretary Lutnick, and there may be a demand among the 37 million or so people who can afford the visa worldwide.
Read more: US tightens Green Card rules: What it means for post-marriage travel plans
Controversies and criticisms
In spite of its possible advantages, the Gold Card is facing criticism. Some argue that the $5 million price tag is exorbitant and that it undermines the principles of equitable immigration while favoring the wealthy. Additionally, the card's design, which includes an image of Donald Trump, has drawn criticism for being "tacky" and "tone-deaf." There have also been concerns raised about the program's authenticity and its capacity to draw in people looking to take advantage of the system.
The Gold Card visa program is slated to launch within two weeks of its announcement. As the administration prepares for its rollout, immigration experts and potential applicants are keenly observing how this initiative will reshape the landscape of US immigration and its broader socio-economic impact.
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