US Gold Card Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Registrations from Wealthy Foreigners

Key Takeaways

• The Trump Card requires a $5 million investment for permanent U.S. residency, replacing the EB-5 program.
• Nearly 70,000 individuals and companies joined the waiting list shortly after the June 2025 launch.
• No job creation is required, simplifying the process and allowing corporate sponsorship for employees.

The U.S. Gold Card Visa Program, now widely known as the “Trump Card,” represents a major shift in how the United States 🇺🇸 approaches investor-based immigration. Announced in early 2025 and officially launched with a public waiting list in June 2025, this program targets ultra-wealthy foreigners and companies, offering them permanent U.S. residency and a path to citizenship in exchange for a substantial investment. This analysis provides a detailed, objective review of the Trump Card’s purpose, structure, early results, and likely impacts, based on the latest available data and expert commentary.

Purpose and Scope

The Trump Card visa program aims to:

• Attract high-net-worth individuals and companies to the United States 🇺🇸 by offering permanent residency and a path to citizenship in exchange for a $5 million investment.
• Replace the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which has faced criticism for inefficiency, fraud, and low investment thresholds.
• Streamline the immigration process for wealthy investors by removing job creation requirements and project-specific investment rules.

This analysis covers the program’s policy framework, application process, quantitative data, stakeholder perspectives, and anticipated effects on U.S. immigration and the economy.

Methodology

This review draws on:

• Official announcements and policy documents from the Trump administration and U.S. government sources.
• Data on registration numbers and investment thresholds from program updates as of June 2025.
• Statements from key stakeholders, including Donald Trump, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, immigration lawyers, and policy analysts.
• Comparative analysis with the EB-5 program, using official government and industry sources.
• Expert commentary and analysis from reputable immigration news outlets, including VisaVerge.com.

Key Findings

• Strong Early Interest: Nearly 70,000 individuals and companies have registered for the Trump Card waiting list within weeks of its launch.
• Higher Investment Threshold: The required investment is $5 million, almost five times higher than the standard EB-5 amount.
• No Job Creation Requirement: Unlike EB-5, the Trump Card does not require applicants to create U.S. jobs, making the process simpler and faster.
• Permanent Residency and Citizenship: Approved applicants receive the right to live and work in the United States 🇺🇸 permanently, with a clear path to citizenship.
• Corporate Participation: Companies can sponsor key employees, expanding the program’s reach beyond individual investors.

Data Presentation and Visual Descriptions

Table 1: Key Differences Between EB-5 and Trump Card Visa Programs

Visual Description:
Imagine a bar graph with two bars. The first bar, labeled “EB-5,” reaches up to $1.05 million, while the second, labeled “Trump Card,” towers over it at $5 million. Another chart could show a pie chart with nearly 70,000 slices, each representing a registration, highlighting the program’s strong initial demand.

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

Investment Thresholds and Exclusivity

The Trump Card’s $5 million minimum investment is a significant jump from the EB-5’s $1.05 million (or $800,000 in targeted areas). This change signals a clear intent to attract only the wealthiest applicants. The higher bar is expected to:

• Reduce the number of applicants compared to EB-5, but increase the average wealth and potential economic impact per applicant.
• Create a sense of exclusivity and prestige around the Trump Card, appealing to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and global corporations.

Removal of Job Creation Requirement

The EB-5 program’s requirement to create at least 10 full-time jobs per investment has been a source of complexity and fraud. By removing this requirement, the Trump Card:

• Simplifies the application process, making it more attractive to investors who want certainty and speed.
• Reduces administrative and legal hurdles for both applicants and the government.
• Raises questions about the direct economic impact on U.S. job creation, a point noted by some policy analysts.

Early Demand and Global Interest

With nearly 70,000 registrations in just a few weeks, the Trump Card has generated strong global interest. This suggests:

• High demand among wealthy foreigners for U.S. residency and citizenship opportunities.
• Potential for rapid inflow of capital if even a fraction of registrants complete the process and invest.

Corporate Sponsorship

Allowing companies to purchase Gold Cards for key employees is a new feature. This could:

• Facilitate the relocation of top talent to the United States 🇺🇸, especially from multinational firms.
• Broaden the program’s impact beyond individual investors to include corporate strategies for global mobility.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

Economic Impact

• The Trump Card is likely to bring in larger sums of foreign investment per applicant than EB-5, given the higher threshold.
• The lack of a job creation requirement may reduce the program’s direct impact on U.S. employment, but the overall economic effect could be significant due to increased spending, tax contributions, and business activity from wealthy newcomers.

Fraud and Administrative Efficiency

• By raising the investment bar and removing complex job creation rules, the Trump Card aims to reduce fraud and streamline processing.
• Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has called the EB-5 program “full of nonsense, make believe and fraud,” arguing that the Trump Card is a “cleaner” alternative.

Legal and Political Considerations

• The Trump Card was introduced by Donald Trump without congressional approval, raising questions about its long-term legal standing and oversight.
• Policy analysts warn that bypassing Congress could lead to legal challenges or future policy changes, especially if the program’s effects are controversial.

Stakeholder Perspectives

• Donald Trump: Promotes the program as a way to attract “the best and brightest” who will contribute to the U.S. economy.
• Immigration Lawyers: Generally support the streamlined process but await more details on vetting and compliance.
• Potential Applicants: View the program as an exclusive, fast-track route to U.S. residency and citizenship.
• Critics: Some worry that the lack of job creation requirements could reduce the program’s benefits for ordinary Americans.

Step-by-Step Procedures (As Currently Known)

1. Registration: Applicants sign up on TrumpCard.gov, providing basic information such as name, region, email, and applicant type (individual or business).
2. Qualification Assessment: Legal advisors review the applicant’s financial background and investment plans to ensure eligibility.
3. Application Preparation: Applicants gather and submit required documents, often with help from experienced U.S. visa lawyers.
4. Vetting and Approval: U.S. authorities check financial and security backgrounds. Details on this process are still being finalized.
5. Issuance of Gold Card: Approved applicants receive permanent residency, work authorization, and a path to citizenship.
6. Ongoing Support: Legal counsel helps with tax planning, company formation, and compliance during residency.

For more details on U.S. permanent residency and green card processes, readers can visit the official USCIS Green Card page.

Limitations and Uncertainties

• Incomplete Legal Framework: As of June 2025, some details about vetting, compliance, and long-term oversight are still pending.
• Potential Legal Challenges: The program’s launch without congressional approval could lead to court challenges or future policy reversals.
• Economic Impact Unclear: While the program is expected to bring in large investments, the lack of job creation requirements may limit its broader economic benefits.
• Applicant Conversion Rate: It remains to be seen how many of the 70,000 registrants will complete the process and invest the required $5 million.

Background and Historical Context

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, created in 1990, allowed foreigners to obtain green cards by investing in U.S. businesses that create jobs. Over time, EB-5 became known for its complex rules, slow processing, and vulnerability to fraud. Critics argued that the investment threshold was too low and that the job creation requirement was often manipulated.

In February 2025, Donald Trump announced the Gold Card program as a replacement, aiming to attract wealthier investors and simplify the process. The program was quickly rebranded as the Trump Card, with a public waiting list opening in June 2025. According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, this move reflects a broader trend among developed countries to compete for the world’s wealthiest individuals by offering residency and citizenship in exchange for investment.

Future Outlook

• Full Replacement of EB-5: The Trump Card is expected to completely replace the EB-5 program soon, pending finalization of legal and administrative details.
• Further Policy Announcements: More information on eligibility, vetting, and processing times is expected in the coming months.
• Close Monitoring: The program’s impact on U.S. immigration, the economy, and national security will be closely watched by policymakers and the public.
• Possible Adjustments: Legal or political challenges could lead to changes in the program’s structure or requirements.

Official Resources and Practical Guidance

• Registration and Updates: Interested applicants should visit TrumpCard.gov for the latest information and to join the waiting list.
• Legal Support: U.S. visa law firms and immigration consultants can help with eligibility analysis, application preparation, and ongoing legal advice.
• Government Information: For broader information on U.S. immigration and permanent residency, the USCIS Green Card page offers official guidance.

Actionable Takeaways

• Wealthy individuals and companies interested in U.S. residency should review the Trump Card’s requirements and consider registering on the official website.
• Applicants should seek expert legal advice to ensure eligibility and prepare a strong application.
• Companies can use the program to relocate key employees and support global mobility strategies.
• Stakeholders should monitor policy updates as the program evolves and new details emerge.

The U.S. Gold Card Visa Program, now the Trump Card, marks a bold new direction in investor immigration policy. By raising the investment bar and simplifying the process, it aims to attract the world’s wealthiest individuals and companies to the United States 🇺🇸. While the program’s long-term effects remain to be seen, its early popularity and high-profile backing suggest it will play a major role in shaping the future of U.S. immigration.

Learn Today

Trump Card → A U.S. investor visa program requiring a $5 million investment for residency and citizenship without job creation.
EB-5 Program → An older immigrant investor visa requiring $1.05 million and job creation of at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs.
Permanent Residency → A legal status allowing an immigrant to live and work indefinitely in the United States.
Corporate Sponsorship → A feature allowing companies to sponsor key employees for immigration benefits under the Trump Card program.
Vetting → The process of thoroughly checking applicants’ financial and security backgrounds before visa approval.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Trump Card visa program revolutionizes U.S. investor immigration by demanding $5 million investments for fast permanent residency. Launched in June 2025, it eliminates job creation rules and attracts ultra-wealthy individuals and companies, witnessing massive early demand and reshaping America’s investor visa landscape for the future.
— By VisaVerge.com