Trump to sell US Gold Card. Will the EB‑5 visa be scrapped?
Trump plans to replace the EB‑5 visa with a Gold Card. His administration calls the current program "poorly managed" and aims to attract wealthy investors instead.
While the new visa may boost investment, legal and economic concerns raise doubts about its success. The EB‑5 program can only be ended by Congress, not by Trump alone.
Legal and Compliance Officer, certified CAMS specialist
Trump to sell US Gold Card. Will the EB-5 visa be scrapped?
Share:
President Donald Trump has introduced a new immigration initiative called the "Gold Card" program. This plan aims to attract wealthy foreigners by offering them US residency and a pathway to citizenship in exchange for a $5 million payment.
Eligibility and benefits. Applicants who pay the required fee will receive privileges similar to those of a green card holder, including a pathway to US citizenship.
Screening process. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that applicants will undergo strict background checks to ensure they meet high standards of integrity and global reputation.
Implementation. The Gold Card program is designed to replace the existing EB‑5 visa, which grants US residency to investors who create jobs. The program is supposed to be launched in March 2025.
Is the EB‑5 visa now cancelled?
The EB‑5 program allows foreign investors to obtain US residency by investing at least $800,000 in designated employment areas or $1,050,000 in other areas. The investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers.
It is unlikely that the government will discontinue the EB‑5 program entirely. Congress holds authority over immigration law, as stated in Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution. The Supreme Court has affirmed that immigration policy decisions rest with Congress, not the executive branch. Therefore, President Trump cannot cancel the EB‑5 program unilaterally—doing so requires legislative action.
The Trump administration expects the Gold Card to generate substantial revenue, potentially reducing the national debt. But experts question whether a $5 million price tag is too high to attract enough applicants. Other countries offer similar residency programs at lower costs.
Golden Visas in the EU require a minimum investment of €250,000. These programs grant residency permits, leading to EU citizenship, which some investors find more appealing than a US passport due to political and economic instability in the United States.
Practical Guide
Quick and easy citizenship and residency for US investors
Master the obtaining process
Get expert tips and documents
Estimate costs accurately
Trusted by 500+ investorsMore news
Protests spread across the US: should Americans look abroad?
Immigration raids in California spark nationwide protests as the President sends in troops. The unrest prompts some Americans to quietly explore relocation pathways. Discover what is known about the current situation in the United States.
Albert Ioffe
About 5,000 Americans renounced citizenship in a year: what’s driving the trend?
The United States is facing an unprecedented spike in citizenship renunciations. In the third quarter of 2024 alone, 2,123 citizens formally relinquished their US passports, marking the highest quarterly total since 2016. Discover why Americans are leaving the USA, and which alternative citizenship options offer greater freedom and lower taxes.
Albert Ioffe
Trump to end birthright citizenship in the USA: latest updates
US birthright citizenship grants automatic citizenship to most individuals born on US soil, regardless of their parents' nationality. Recently, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending this right for certain children born in the US, a move that challenges established constitutional interpretations.
Elena Ruda