Trump’s Gold Visa Puts American Dream Up for Sale at $5M

(UNITED STATES) The proposed Trump Gold Card — a new investor route tied to a $5 million investment — is drawing strong interest and sharp debate across the United States 🇺🇸 and overseas.

Announced in 2025, President Trump’s plan would replace the EB-5 immigrant investor program with a pricier pathway to permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship for wealthy foreign investors.

What’s on the table now

• The Trump Gold Card promises permanent residence, work authorization, and a later path to citizenship in exchange for a $5 million investment.
• As of mid‑June 2025, more than 68,700 people had joined the waitlist at TrumpCard.gov.
• The U.S. Department of Commerce is promoting the idea. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has highlighted global interest.
• No law has passed. Creating a brand‑new visa category would very likely require Congressional action.

Supporters argue the program could bring in large sums, boost spending, and encourage job growth. Critics call it “citizenship for sale” and worry it would sideline other immigration routes that don’t depend on wealth.

How it compares to EB‑5

• Current EB‑5 rules require an investment of $800,000 to $1.05 million, depending on project location, and link green cards to job creation.
• The Trump Gold Card is described as a simpler, higher‑price option with fewer job‑creation requirements.
• That difference is a key reason business groups and immigrant advocates are taking sides.

For official EB‑5 rules and details on eligibility, investment thresholds, and processing, see: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-fifth-preference-eb-5

Legal status and timing

Here’s the bottom line: the Trump Gold Card is not active.

• A waitlist exists, but there’s no approved application, no final rules, and no legal authority in place.
• Experts widely agree that setting up a new visa class almost always needs congressional approval — hearings, bill language, and votes — steps that can take months or longer, even with political support.

The program remains a proposal until Congress passes enabling legislation and any implementing rules are issued.

What supporters and critics say

• President Trump frames the idea as a way to draw successful people who will invest, spend, and help reduce the national debt.
• The Commerce Secretary has been marketing the proposal, pointing to heavy interest from potential investors worldwide.
• Critics argue the U.S. shouldn’t tie green cards so directly to wealth, warning this could erode faith in fairness; some describe it as “citizenship for sale.”
• Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes supporters emphasize growth and jobs, while opponents question the economic gains and transparency based on how similar programs performed elsewhere.

Global context

• Other countries have experimented with “golden visas.”
• Several faced backlash over weak vetting, uneven benefits, and poor reporting on actual jobs created.
• That history explains the early scrutiny around oversight and economic impact for the Trump Gold Card.

Practical effects if it moves forward

If Congress approves a version of the Trump Gold Card:

1. Investors would likely weigh a clear tradeoff: pay $5 million for a faster, simpler route, or use EB‑5’s lower investment range with stricter job rules.
2. Regional economies could see large capital inflows, though proof of broad job creation would be closely monitored.
3. Backlogs could grow if interest far exceeds the number of visas Congress authorizes.

If Congress doesn’t act:

• EB‑5 remains the main investor route.
• The Trump Gold Card stays a proposal without legal force, and waitlist sign‑ups do not convert into immigration benefits.

What we know — and don’t know

Known:
– Price point: $5 million investment.
– Promised benefits: permanent residency, work authorization, and a path to citizenship.
– Interest: more than 68,700 names on a waitlist by mid‑June 2025.

Unknown:
– Eligibility rules: income sources, background checks, and permitted investment types aren’t defined.
– Processing steps: no approved filing forms or timelines exist.
– Oversight: who would vet projects and verify outcomes remains unclear.
– Visa numbers: caps and rollover rules would depend on legislation.

Who is affected

• Prospective investors: High‑net‑worth individuals considering the U.S. for family, education, or business.
• Families: Spouses and children could receive dependent status, similar to current investor categories, though details await legislation.
• U.S. employers and communities: Potential new funding for projects; questions remain about job quality and geographic distribution.
• EB‑5 participants: Any replacement or parallel system could reshape demand, pricing, and processing priorities.

What potential investors can do now

1. Join the TrumpCard.gov waitlist if you want updates, but understand it’s not a legal application.
2. Compare the proposal to existing EB‑5 rules to judge cost, timing, and risk.
3. Keep documentation ready: proof of lawful funds, tax records, and evidence of business experience.
4. Be cautious with promoters. Until Congress acts, no one can guarantee filing, fast‑tracking, or green cards through the Trump Gold Card.
5. Watch credible sources for legislative movement — look for bill text, committee actions, and agency guidance.

Key questions and straight answers

• Will Congress need to approve this? Yes. Creating a new visa path usually requires legislation.
• Is the waitlist a guarantee? No. It indicates interest only, not filing or approval.
• Will it replace EB‑5? It’s presented as a replacement or alternative, but the impact depends on what Congress passes, if anything.
• Why is it controversial? Critics say it puts U.S. residency up for sale and may not deliver broad economic benefits.

The policy stakes

The Trump Gold Card debate is bigger than a price tag. It raises core questions about what the U.S. wants from investor immigration: capital alone, or capital tied to verifiable jobs and community benefit. Policymakers will weigh fairness across the system — from family reunification to worker visas — while aiming to preserve public trust.

Bottom line for now

• The Trump Gold Card is a proposal, not law.
• The $5 million entry point is much higher than EB‑5 but may come with fewer job‑creation strings.
• Interest is high, but outcomes depend on Congress.

Actionable takeaway: If you’re considering an investor route today, study the current EB‑5 program on the official government site linked above, keep your financial records clean and traceable, and follow Congress closely for any change that could open — or close — the Trump Gold Card window.