Key Takeaways
- The Trump Gold Card was officially launched on the 11th of December, 2025.
- The Trump Gold Card establishes a minimum contribution of $1 million route to U.S. citizenship for affluent foreign investors, replacing the existing EB-5 visa program.
- Funds raised from Gold Card sales are primarily intended to assist in reducing the national debt, while also integrating wealthy individuals into the U.S. economy.
- This program embodies a market-driven approach to immigration policy, focusing on high-net-worth individuals capable of making substantial financial contributions.
What is the Trump Gold Card?
The Trump Gold Card is a proposed new residency-by-investment program designed to replace the EB-5 Visa. Announced by President Donald Trump, the Gold Card would offer foreign investors a streamlined path to United States residency in exchange for a $5 million investment.
Unlike the EB-5 Visa program, which required job creation and had a limited number of visas available each year, the Gold Card is positioned as a premium alternative with potentially unlimited issuances. Successful applicants would receive US Green Card privileges, including permanent residency and a possible pathway to citizenship.
With a significantly higher investment threshold, the Trump Gold Card aims to attract ultra-high-net-worth individuals while boosting foreign direct investment in the US economy.
Trump Gold Card Eligibility Criteria
The main requirement for the Trump Gold Card is a financial investment into the country. Investors are required to invest $5 million to obtain permanent residency in the US.
While the EB-5 visa required applicants to create ten full time jobs for US citizens, job creation has not yet been announced as part of the new Donald Trump Gold Card. This may suggest a more streamlined process for foreign residents to obtain US residency.
Full application details and eligibility criteria are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Benefits of the Trump Gold Card
The new Donald Trump Gold Card could have several benefits, including:
- Potential path to US citizenship: The Gold Card would give foreign investors permanent residency in the US. If the same citizenship pathways remain in place, the new visa could potentially be a route to US citizenship through naturalization after five years.
- Significant economic growth in the US: The proposed $5 million investment would be the starting point. Potential investors in the US would bring in a significant amount of money into the country through development projects and business.
- Increased global competition: With the US competing against many Golden Visa programs, the Gold Card would put the US in the running for one of the top premium residency by investment programs.
- Job creation for US citizens: Even though there aren’t yet eligibility announcements for job creation, the sheer amount of financial investment into the US could see a lot of job creation and development.
How to Apply for the US Gold Card
While application details and eligibility criteria are only set to be released in the next two weeks, here is what we know so far. Applicants must:
- Invest $5 million in the US
- Pass a vetting process to ensure they are “world-class global citizens”
If successful, applicants would receive Green Card privileges, which include obtaining permanent residency in the US, with a potential pathway to US citizenship.
How The Trump Gold Card Compares to The Current EB-5 Visa
The new Gold Card Visa is being promoted as a “premium alternative’ to the traditional US Green Card.
The EB-5 Visa required a $1.05 million investment (or $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas) and the creation or preservation of at least ten full time jobs for US citizens.
The new Trump Gold Card would see the investment amount raised to $5 million with potentially no requirement for job creation. This could bypass the waiting times as all one would need to provide is the means to make the $5 million investment.
Additionally, while the number of EB-5 visas was capped, the Trump administration suggested that one million Gold Cards could be sold.
Both the EB-5 and the proposed Gold Card would provide similar legal residency privileges, with permanent residency and potential US citizenship. The big difference would be in who the programs are available to, with the investment amounts creating a clear distinction between the immigration pathways.
Economic Implications of the $5 Million US Gold Card
The impact on the US economy could be significant if the US Gold Card goes ahead. The increase in the US Gold Card cost to $5 million from the EB-5’s $1.05 million is notable. This, along with the potential rise in the number of accepted applicants, could have a significant impact on the US economy.
The Trump administration has suggested as many as one million Gold Cards could be issued, this alone, could bring in $5 trillion into the US economy.
Additionally, the potential for a significant increase in job creation could see an even bigger impact on the US economy as a whole.
The Global Landscape
This decision from the US unfolds against the backdrop of growing competition in the global investment migration sector. Nations such as Portugal, Greece, and several Caribbean countries continue to provide citizenship and residency programs with considerably lower investment requirements.
The Gold Card would place the US at the high-end segment of the market, appealing to ultra-high-net-worth individuals who value the distinct advantages of US residency despite the premium cost.
The GCS Perspective
Global Citizen Solutions recognizes the impactful shift in US immigration policy, viewing it as a transformative moment that could impact many. While the investment requirement is significantly higher, the US Gold Card is a unique offering in global mobility.
“This proposal represents a paradigm shift in how the United States approaches investment migration,” says Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions. “While the $5 million threshold is substantially higher than current EB-5 requirements, the potential benefits of expedited processing, tax advantages on foreign income, and a clearer pathway to citizenship could make this an attractive option for ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking U.S. residency.”
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
