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Trump To Sell Premium Green Card ‘Gold Card’ At $5Million For Citizenship Pathway (Video)
Donald Trump, the president of the United States, has revealed plans to replace the present EB-5 investor visa with a “gold card” that provides a road to citizenship for $5 million.
“It’s going to give you green card privileges, plus it’s going to be a route to citizenship, and wealthy people would be coming into our country by buying this card.”
“They’ll be wealthy and successful, and they’ll be spending a lot of money, paying a lot of taxes, and employing a lot of people, and we think it’s going to be extremely successful,” Trump said in the Oval Office, adding that more information about the program would be released in two weeks.
While the number of EB-5 visas is limited, Trump has suggested that the federal government sell 10 million “gold cards” to decrease the deficit. He said it “could be great; maybe it will be fantastic.”
“It’s somewhat like a green card, but at a higher level of sophistication, it’s a road to citizenship for people, and essentially people of wealth or people of great talent, where people of wealth pay for those people of talent to get in, meaning companies will pay for people to get in and to have long, long-term status in the country,” according to him.
Commercial Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the “Trump Gold Card” would replace EB-5 visas in two weeks. EB-5s were developed by Congress in 1990 to encourage foreign investment and are available to individuals who invest around $1 million in a firm that employs at least ten people.
Lutnick stated that the gold card, a green card, or permanent legal residency would enhance the cost of admission for investors while eliminating the fraud and “nonsense” he claimed characterises the EB-5 program. It would contain a road to citizenship, as do other green cards.
According to the most recent Yearbook of Immigration Statistics from the Homeland Security Department, around 8,000 persons acquired investment visas during the 12 months ending September 30, 2022.
Trump Gold Card
11/04/2025 at 19:47
This initiative aims to replace the existing EB-5 investor visa program, which currently requires a minimum investment of $800,000 to $1.05 million in a U.S. business that creates at least ten jobs. The new Gold Card would significantly increase the investment threshold, offering permanent residency and a route to citizenship for those who can afford the hefty price tag.
While the idea of attracting wealthy individuals who can contribute to the U.S. economy is not new, the proposed Gold Card raises several questions. For instance, the elimination of the job creation requirement, which is a cornerstone of the EB-5 program, could reduce the direct economic benefits that such investments bring to local communities. Moreover, the high cost may limit accessibility to only the ultra-wealthy, potentially exacerbating socioeconomic disparities.
It’s also worth noting that similar programs in other countries have faced criticism for being susceptible to fraud and not delivering the promised economic benefits. Therefore, while the Gold Card could generate significant revenue, it’s essential to consider the broader implications and ensure that the program includes safeguards to prevent misuse and truly benefit the U.S. economy.