US President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested launching a new “gold card” visa initiative aimed at foreigners willing to invest in the United States and generate employment opportunities.
The proposed “gold card” visa would serve as an alternative to the existing EB-5 visa program, which has been a popular route for High Net-worth Individuals (HNIs) from India seeking US residency and eventual citizenship.
Further details about Trump’s “gold card” visa initiative are still awaited. Meanwhile, it remains unclear whether this visa would provide a direct path to US citizenship for foreign investors.
What is the “Gold Card” Visa?
The “gold card” program is designed to grant residency to foreign investors who pay a $5 million fee for the card. It would also offer green card benefits, such as US permanent residency and authorization to work in the country.
While unveiling the program, Trump stated, “We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million, and that’s going to give you green card privileges.”
Will the “Gold Card” Visa Lead to US Citizenship?
Although the “gold card” visa does not immediately grant US citizenship, it provides a pathway for investors to eventually obtain American citizenship.
Trump emphasized that the program would extend green card benefits and serve as a “route to American citizenship” for affluent individuals. This means that “gold card” holders would initially become permanent US residents, making them eligible for citizenship in the future.
According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, a person who has maintained US permanent resident status for five years can apply for American citizenship through the naturalization process.
What is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program?
The newly proposed “gold card” initiative is expected to replace the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program. The existing EB-5 program enables foreign investors to secure US residency by investing a specified amount—ranging between $800,000 and $1,050,000—into US businesses.
However, the EB-5 visa program has faced scrutiny due to allegations of fraud and misuse.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick addressed these concerns on Tuesday, stating, “The EB-5 programme … it was full of nonsense, make-believe and fraud, and it was a way to get a green card that was low price.”
Trump Proposes ‘Gold Card’ Visa for Foreign Investors Seeking US Residency
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested launching a new “gold card” visa initiative aimed at foreigners willing to invest in the United States and generate employment opportunities.
The proposed “gold card” visa would serve as an alternative to the existing EB-5 visa program, which has been a popular route for High Net-worth Individuals (HNIs) from India seeking US residency and eventual citizenship.
Further details about Trump’s “gold card” visa initiative are still awaited. Meanwhile, it remains unclear whether this visa would provide a direct path to US citizenship for foreign investors.
What is the “Gold Card” Visa?
The “gold card” program is designed to grant residency to foreign investors who pay a $5 million fee for the card. It would also offer green card benefits, such as US permanent residency and authorization to work in the country.
While unveiling the program, Trump stated, “We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million, and that’s going to give you green card privileges.”
Will the “Gold Card” Visa Lead to US Citizenship?
Although the “gold card” visa does not immediately grant US citizenship, it provides a pathway for investors to eventually obtain American citizenship.
Trump emphasized that the program would extend green card benefits and serve as a “route to American citizenship” for affluent individuals. This means that “gold card” holders would initially become permanent US residents, making them eligible for citizenship in the future.
According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, a person who has maintained US permanent resident status for five years can apply for American citizenship through the naturalization process.
What is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program?
The newly proposed “gold card” initiative is expected to replace the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program. The existing EB-5 program enables foreign investors to secure US residency by investing a specified amount—ranging between $800,000 and $1,050,000—into US businesses.
However, the EB-5 visa program has faced scrutiny due to allegations of fraud and misuse.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick addressed these concerns on Tuesday, stating, “The EB-5 programme … it was full of nonsense, make-believe and fraud, and it was a way to get a green card that was low price.”