The landscape of U.S. immigration for investors may be changing with the proposal of a new “Gold Card” visa, spearheaded by Donald Trump, which would replace the existing EB-5 visa program79. If you’re considering investing in a U.S. residency, understanding the differences between these two options is essential5.
What is the Trump “Gold Card”?
The “Gold Card” is a proposed visa that would grant wealthy foreign nationals a path to U.S. residency and citizenship in exchange for a $5 million payment79. Trump believes that wealthy individuals will come into the U.S. by buying the card, spend money, pay taxes, and employ many people2. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has suggested that up to 1 million Gold Cards could be issued27.
Key Differences Between the Gold Card and EB-5 Visa
Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between the proposed Gold Card and the EB-5 visa:
- Investment Amount: The Gold Card requires a direct $5 million payment to the U.S. government57. The EB-5 visa requires a minimum investment of $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) or $1,050,000 in non-TEA areas345.
- Job Creation: The EB-5 visa mandates the creation or preservation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers45. The Gold Card has no such requirement57.
- Visa Caps: The EB-5 program is capped at 18,786 visas annually57. The Gold Card, as proposed, would have no limit257.
- Processing Speed: The Gold Card aims to fast-track both residency and citizenship57. The EB-5 process can be lengthy5.
- Requirements: The EB-5 visa also comes with other requirements, such as documenting that the investment will create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for U.S. workers1.
EB-5 Visa Program Details
The EB-5 visa offers a route to a Green Card for foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment in a U.S. business8. A Green Card obtained through the EB-5 visa program provides permanent residency for the investor, their spouse, and children under 218. Green card holders can live and work anywhere in the U.S. without restriction4. After 5 years of having a Green Card, holders can become U.S. citizens18.
To qualify for an EB-5 visa, applicants must invest a minimum of $800,000 in a business that creates 10 or more jobs and maintain their investment at risk for a minimum of two years348.
Will the Gold Card Replace the EB-5 Visa?
It is not yet clear whether the Gold Card will replace the EB-5 visa program16. While Trump’s administration intends for the Gold Card to replace the EB-5 visa, it is important to note that only Congress can change U.S. immigration laws16. The president could slow down EB-5 processing times, reallocate EB-5 adjudicators to other visa streams, enforce stricter source of funds, and propose a raise to the current EB-5 minimum investment threshold6.
