In a big change to U.S. immigration policy, President Donald Trump said that a “Gold Card” visa scheme would be starting soon. Rich foreign investors can get easier access to American citizenship through this program in exchange for a $5 million investment. The program is set to commence in approximately two weeks.
Replacing the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
The “Gold Card” visa is designed to replace the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which has existed since 1990. The EB-5 program allowed foreign investors to obtain green cards by investing a minimum of $1.05 million—or $800,000 in targeted employment areas—in U.S. businesses that created or preserved at least ten full-time jobs for American workers.
JUST IN: President Trump announces a new immigration “Gold Card” that will be sold to immigrants for $5 million.
The Gold Card is a premium version of a Green Card, according to Trump, and will provide immigrants with a pathway to citizenship.
“We’re gonna be selling a gold… pic.twitter.com/U3Bx3Nogfd
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 25, 2025
However, the EB-5 program faced criticism for being “full of nonsense, make-believe, and fraud,” according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The new “Gold Card” addresses these issues by setting a higher investment threshold and eliminating the job creation requirement.
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Program Details and Expectations
The “Gold Card” visa will give its users the same rights as a green card, such as the ability to live and work in the United States, and a straight path to citizenship. President Trump made it clear that he hopes this effort will bring in rich people who will make big contributions to the U.S. economy through their spending and tax payments.
He also suggested that corporations might utilize the program to bring skilled workers into the country. The administration anticipates selling up to one million of these cards, potentially generating substantial revenue to help reduce the national deficit.
Open to All Nationalities
When questioned about the eligibility of individuals from specific countries, such as Russian oligarchs, President Trump affirmed that the program does not exclude any nationality. “I know some Russian oligarchs who are very nice people,” he remarked, indicating that the “Gold Card” visa is open to wealthy applicants worldwide.
Implementation Timeline
Commerce Secretary Lutnick said that the “Gold Card” program will start in two weeks and will take the place of the present EB-5 program. As a way to draw high-quality people who can help the U.S. business, applicants will be carefully screened to make sure they meet the requirements.
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Conclusion
Introducing the “Gold Card” visa is a smart move to bring in a lot of foreign investment by giving the world’s top an easy and quick way to become U.S. citizens. The Trump government wants to make sure that people who pay the $5 million price tag are serious about making big payments to the economy. This will help the economy grow and solve fiscal problems.