US President Donald Trump has announced the launch of a new ‘Gold Card’ program, designed to replace the existing EB-5 immigration program. This initiative allows wealthy foreigners to obtain U.S. residency and a pathway to citizenship for a fee of $5 million, aimed at attracting investment to reduce the federal deficit.
The EB-5 investor visa, established in 1990 to promote international investment and job growth in the U.S. economy, will be abolished. The Gold Card visa, priced at $5 million, promises holders the privileges of a Green Card—permanent residency and work authorization—along with an expedited path to U.S. citizenship.
Trump announced the idea on February 25, 2025.
He characterized it as a more refined substitute for the Green Card. He emphasized that the program would attract “wealthy and successful” individuals who would spend heavily, pay substantial taxes, and create jobs, thereby boosting the U.S. economy.
Critics contend that this method commodifies citizenship, potentially intensifying global inequality, whereas proponents view it as an economic tool to attract high-caliber people and investment.
The United Arab Emirates has been using the Gulf technique under the same designation. Many perceive Trump’s ‘Gold Card’ as analogous to the UAE’s Golden Visa. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers investor visas, including the Golden Visa and the Green Visa, to investors looking to invest in real estate or business. Applicants are required to invest a minimum of AED 2 million in real estate or business ventures.