EB5 vs Gold Card: Which Visa is Right for You?

If you’re thinking of permanently relocating to the United States in 2026, you may be weighing two investment-based immigration pathways: the EB5 vs. Gold Card program. Both immigrant visa categories are designed to attract wealthy foreigners, but they work very differently.  

The EB5 Visa requires a minimum investment of $1,050,000 (or $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas) in U.S. businesses, along with creating at least 10 permanent, full-time jobs. In return, investors receive permanent residence with a pathway to citizenship.  

The Gold Card or Trump Card, launched as an alternative to EB5, takes a simpler approach. For a $1 million minimum contribution directly to the U.S. government, foreigners can obtain permanent residency without having to invest in the country or create jobs.  

This article explores the key differences between the EB5 vs Trump Gold Card Visas to help you decide which is right for you.  

Key Takeaways 

• The EB5 Visa requires a $1,050,000 investment (or $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area) in U.S. businesses and the creation of at least 10 permanent jobs.  
• The Gold Card Visa requires a $1 million minimum direct contribution or “gift” to the U.S. government with no job creation or investment required.  
• Both programs target wealthy foreigners and offer permanent residence with a pathway to citizenship after five years of continuous residence.  
• The Gold Card offers a simpler and more straightforward application process but at a higher cost, while EB5 requires job creation and active business involvement, but is slightly less expensive. 

The EB5 Visa is an immigrant visa created to offer foreign investors a path to permanent residence in the U.S. in exchange for investment in American businesses and job creation. This visa was created by Congress in 1990 and requires investors to put at least $1,050,000 into a commercial enterprise or Regional Center. This amount drops to $800,000 if you invest in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which are specific regions that need economic development.  

The goal of the EB5 visa is straightforward: attract foreign capital to create at least 10 permanent, full-time jobs and boost economic growth in areas that need it most.  

Benefits of the EB5 Visa 

• Residency: EB5 Visa holders can obtain a green card in the U.S. for themselves (the investor), spouse, and unmarried children younger than 21 years. This means you and your family can live and work freely in the U.S. without needing work permits.  
• Legally secure: The EB5 Visa pathway is endorsed by the U.S. Congress, backed by the Constitution, and is a bona fide immigration pathway to the U.S. 
• Direct path to citizenship: EB5 investors can apply for citizenship after 5 years. This provides more freedom and allows them to enjoy all the rights and benefits that come with U.S. citizenship on a global level.  
• No sponsorship needed: Foreign investors and their dependents do not need sponsorships, or job offers to obtain permanent residency.  
• Easy travel: EB5 Visa beneficiaries and their dependents can easily travel across the U.S. without restrictions. This visa also provides added convenience when travelling out of the country.  
• Retirement benefits: Investors on EB5 can access retirement, Medicare, and Social Security benefits when they meet the associated eligibility criteria. 

Disadvantages of the EB5 Visa 

• Long processing time: The EB5 Visa can take 2-5 years and even longer for certain nationalities with large backlogs and lesser visa availability.  
• Job creation requirement: Investors must prove that they employ at least 10 American citizens permanently and full-time. This can be difficult, especially if the business underperforms.  
• No ROI guarantee: Your investment is at risk as there is no guarantee your capital and/or profit will be returned.  
• Complex legal process: The EB5 Visa requires copious documentation, economic reports, income checks, compliance checks, etc. It can also be subject to visa availability. Most successful applicants hire an EB5 Visa lawyer or immigration attorney to guide them through the process.  
• Conditional residency first: Most investors are usually granted a conditional permanent residence and must prove that all requirements are met before the conditions are removed, allowing them to get a permanent Green Card. This process can take another 22 to 48 months. 

The Gold Card, also known as the Trump Gold Card, is a new residency program officially launched by President Donald Trump in December 2025 by executive order that offers lawful permanent residence to wealthy individuals and their dependents who want to relocate to the United States. Unlike EB5 Visa requirements, Gold Card applicants don’t need to invest in U.S. businesses or create jobs. Instead, they need to make a $1 million or more, non-refundable contribution directly to the U.S. government.  

Successful Gold Card applicants enjoy the same benefits as Green Card holders, which is permanent residence and a streamlined path to citizenship after 5 years.  

Benefits of the Gold Card Visa 

• Path to citizenship: Like the EB5 Visa, the Gold Card program maintains the same citizenship-by-naturalization pathway after 5 years.  
• Simple process: The Gold Card process is more straightforward than other residency-by-investment programs, as applicants need only pass the vetting process and make the required monetary non-refundable contributions, rather than creating jobs or providing proof of business investments.  
• Fast processing time: According to President Trump, the Gold Card should be processed in weeks. The applicant will also need to go through consular processing and attend a visa interview.  
• Family inclusion: Trump Card applicants can include their spouse and children (under 21). However, each applicant requires their own contribution. For example, a family of 5 applying for the Gold Card will contribute $5M in addition to the processing fees. 

Disadvantages of the Gold Card Visa 

• Legal uncertainty: The Trump Gold Card Visa exists only by executive order and has not yet been backed by Congress. This causes legal uncertainties and makes the pathway vulnerable to sudden changes, recalls, etc.  
• Extremely expensive: It follows a donation model involving a $1M contribution to the government makes this immigration pathway accessible to only extremely high net-worth foreign nationals and leaves no wiggle room.  
• Expensive for family inclusion: Adding your spouse or children as dependents incurs additional charges and requires a $1M contribution for each individual.  
• Potential political risk: Since this visa is tied to the existing administration, a change in administration may bring a new wave of uncertainties. 

Let’s assess each visa type based on specific categories such as purpose, requirements, Processing time, pathway to residency, and legal standing. 

Gold Card vs EB5: Purpose 

The Trump Gold Card Visa is designed to attract very affluent individuals and generate government revenue with no link to economic benefits or job creation.  

Conversely, the EB5 Visa is designed to stimulate foreign investment in the U.S. economy, thereby creating job opportunities for American workers. It also has great incentives for rural and low-employment areas. 

EB5 vs Gold Card: Requirements/Costs 

The EB5 Visa is significantly less expensive compared to the Trump Gold Card Visa.  

The EB5 Visa requires applicants to  

• Pay a fee of $21,130 for overseas applicants and $22,225 for applicants in the U.S. who are adjusting their status.  
• Make the required capital investment into a qualifying targeted employment or infrastructure project or in a standard area.    
• Create at least 10 permanent, full-time jobs for American citizens.  

For this visa, your funds are at risk in a commercial U.S. enterprise, as there is no guarantee of a return on investment.  

The Gold Card, on the other hand, requires a  

• Processing fee of $15,000 (per applicant/dependent) made to the Department of Homeland Security.  
• Flat payment of $1M minimum (per applicant/dependent), branded as a gift or contribution to the U.S. government after vetting is completed.  

Gold Card Visa applicants will also have to go through consular processing and attend a visa interview. 

Trump Gold Card vs EB5: Processing time 

The EB5 Visa process can take 2 to 5 years to grant conditional permanent residence, while the Gold Card Visa is purported to take only weeks.

EB5 vs Gold Card: Pathway to permanent residency 

For the EB5 Visa, successful applicants are initially issued a conditional Green Card, which may be converted to permanent residence after two years if the job and investment criteria are met. When you maintain permanent residence for up to 5 years, you may apply for citizenship.  

The Gold Card, on the other hand, is marketed as a direct pathway to permanent Green Card issuance and citizenship after 5 years.

EB5 vs Gold Card: Legal standing 

The EB5 Visa was created by Congress in 1990 and has a long, well-established legal framework with clear rules and oversight. Also, the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 legally protect the EB-5 program through 2027, meaning it cannot be eliminated by executive order alone. This visa process is predictable and has remained consistent over time compared to programs based on executive orders alone.  

In contrast, the Gold Card Visa is an executive order and has not yet been approved by Congress. There is no formal legislation outlining how it would work, making the program legally uncertain and potentially vulnerable to legal challenges, especially when the Trump administration ends. 

EB5 Visa vs Gold Card: Family inclusion 

The EB5 Visa is more practical and offers better family security, as it includes residence for your spouse and any unmarried children under 21. Your spouse can work freely in the U.S., and your children get easy access to the U.S. education system. For the Gold Card Visa, family inclusion comes with separate application fees and contributions.