Waitlist Expands for Trump’s $7.7M Golden Visa Program

Key Takeaways

• Trump launched the $5M investor visa ‘Trump Card’ waitlist on June 12, 2025, via TrumpCard.gov.
• The Trump Card requires $5 million investment, no job creation, and promises a citizenship path.
• Legal status is uncertain; no formal applications or regulations have been published as of June 2025.

On June 12, 2025, President Trump officially launched the waitlist for the new $5 million investor visa program, now branded as the “Trump Card.” This move marks a major shift in United States 🇺🇸 immigration policy, aiming to attract wealthy individuals from around the world. The Trump Card, previously called the “Gold Card,” is being promoted as a more exclusive and higher-value alternative to the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. The announcement came through President Trump’s Truth Social account and the launch of the official website, TrumpCard.gov, where interested investors can register for updates.

Thousands have already signed up for the waitlist, according to President Trump. The program’s website features bold branding, including Trump’s image, the Statue of Liberty, and the “5M” designation, highlighting the $5 million investment threshold. While the Trump Card promises a direct path to U.S. permanent residency and eventual citizenship, many details remain unclear. No formal applications are being accepted yet, and the government has not published any finalized rules or eligibility criteria.

This new investor visa program is positioned as a replacement or high-value alternative to the EB-5 program, which has been in place since 1990. However, the Trump Card’s future, its relationship to EB-5, and its legal standing are all subjects of ongoing debate and uncertainty.

What Is the Trump Card Investor Visa?

The Trump Card is a proposed investor visa program that would allow foreign nationals to obtain U.S. permanent residency (a green card) in exchange for a $5 million investment. Unlike the EB-5 program, which requires investors to create at least 10 jobs for U.S. workers, the Trump Card does not currently include a job creation requirement. This makes the Trump Card a more straightforward option for wealthy individuals who want to live in the United States 🇺🇸.

Key features of the Trump Card:

• Investment amount: $5 million per applicant (individual or business)
• No job creation requirement: Unlike EB-5, investors are not required to create jobs
• Path to citizenship: Offers a route to U.S. citizenship after permanent residency
• Oversight: Expected to be managed by the Department of Commerce, though no formal regulations have been published
• Application status: Only the waitlist is open as of June 2025; no formal applications are being accepted

The Trump Card is being marketed as a premium option for high-net-worth individuals, with President Trump stating an ambition to issue “one million” of these visas. However, experts view this figure as highly optimistic.

How Does the Waitlist Work?

Since the Trump Card program is still in its early stages, the only step available to interested investors is to join the waitlist. Here’s how the process works as of June 2025:

1. Visit TrumpCard.gov: The official website for the Trump Card program.
2. Register your details: Provide your name, region, email address, and indicate whether you are applying as an individual or a business.
3. Wait for updates: Once registered, you will receive notifications when the formal application process opens.

No further details about vetting, required documents, or the investment structure have been released. The government has not yet published any official forms or regulatory guidance for the Trump Card. For comparison, the EB-5 program uses Form I-526, which is available on the USCIS website.

Why Is the Trump Card Being Introduced?

President Trump and his administration have long criticized the EB-5 program for its vulnerability to fraud and its complicated job creation requirements. The Trump Card is being presented as a solution to these problems, offering a simpler and more exclusive path for wealthy investors.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has stated that the Trump Card will address the fraud issues seen in EB-5 and will not require job creation as a condition. The administration argues that by raising the investment threshold to $5 million and removing the job creation requirement, the program will attract only the most serious and financially capable applicants.

Supporters of the Trump Card believe it will:

• Attract high-net-worth individuals to the United States 🇺🇸
• Boost the U.S. economy through increased spending and investment
• Increase tax revenues (though some proposals suggest possible tax exemptions for overseas income)

However, critics warn that without strong oversight, the program could face the same problems as EB-5, including fraud, abuse, and limited economic benefits.

How Does the Trump Card Compare to the EB-5 Program?

The Trump Card is designed as a higher-value, more exclusive alternative to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

EB-5 Program: Established in 1990, the EB-5 program was created to stimulate the U.S. economy by attracting foreign investment and creating jobs. Investors must put at least $1.05 million into a U.S. business (or $800,000 in targeted employment areas) and create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.

Trump Card: The new program raises the investment threshold to $5 million and removes the job creation requirement. The Trump administration claims this will make the program more attractive to wealthy individuals and reduce the risk of fraud.

Legal and Policy Uncertainty

One of the biggest questions surrounding the Trump Card is its legal standing. The Trump administration claims the program can be created through executive action, without needing approval from Congress. However, most immigration law experts disagree, arguing that significant changes to the U.S. immigration system—especially those involving permanent residency and citizenship—require congressional approval.

Key legal concerns:

• No congressional approval: As of June 2025, Congress has not approved the Trump Card program.
• Unclear regulations: No detailed rules or eligibility criteria have been published.
• Potential legal challenges: Experts expect that any attempt to replace or significantly alter the EB-5 program through executive action will face court challenges.

The Department of Commerce is expected to oversee the Trump Card, but no formal oversight mechanisms have been announced. This lack of clarity has led to confusion among immigration attorneys, EB-5 regional centers, and investment firms.

Implications for Investors

For wealthy individuals considering U.S. residency, the Trump Card offers a potentially faster and simpler route than the EB-5 program. The main attraction is the absence of a job creation requirement and the promise of a direct path to permanent residency and citizenship.

Potential benefits for investors:

• Simplicity: No need to create or manage a business that employs U.S. workers.
• Prestige: The Trump Card is being marketed as an exclusive option for the world’s wealthiest individuals.
• Possible tax advantages: President Trump has suggested that Trump Card holders might be exempt from U.S. tax on overseas income, though this has not been formalized and would likely require new laws.

However, there are also significant risks:

• Uncertainty: With no formal application process or published rules, investors face uncertainty about how the program will work.
• Legal risk: If the program is challenged in court or fails to gain congressional approval, investors could lose their place in line or their investment.
• Oversight concerns: Without strong vetting and monitoring, the program could be vulnerable to fraud and abuse.

Impact on EB-5 Stakeholders

The introduction of the Trump Card has created anxiety among those involved in the EB-5 program, including current investors, regional centers, and project developers. Many are worried about the future of their investments and whether the EB-5 program will continue to operate.

Concerns include:

• Status of existing investments: If the EB-5 program is repealed or replaced, current investors may be left in limbo.
• Ongoing projects: Regional centers and developers rely on EB-5 funding for major projects. Uncertainty about the program’s future could disrupt these projects.
• Waitlist confusion: Some EB-5 applicants have already waited years for their green cards. The Trump Card’s higher investment threshold and lack of job creation requirement may make it more attractive, but it is not clear if EB-5 applicants will be able to switch programs.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, many immigration attorneys are advising clients to proceed with caution until more details are available.

Oversight, Fraud, and International Comparisons

The EB-5 program has faced criticism for fraud and abuse, with some projects failing to deliver promised jobs or misusing investor funds. The Trump administration claims the Trump Card will avoid these problems by raising the investment threshold and removing the job creation requirement. However, experts warn that without strong oversight, any investor visa program can be vulnerable to abuse.

Lessons from other countries:

• Many countries have “golden visa” programs that offer residency or citizenship in exchange for investment.
• These programs often attract wealthy individuals but have been criticized for limited economic benefits and for being used to launder money or avoid taxes.
• Tight regulation and transparency are essential to prevent abuse.

The Trump Card’s success will depend on the government’s ability to design and enforce strong rules, vet applicants carefully, and monitor investments.

Tax Implications

One of the most controversial aspects of the Trump Card is the suggestion that holders might be exempt from U.S. tax on overseas income. This would be a major change from current policy, as U.S. permanent residents are generally taxed on their worldwide income.

• No formal policy yet: As of June 2025, no official tax exemption has been announced.
• Would require new laws: Any change to tax policy for permanent residents would likely need congressional approval.
• Potential for abuse: Experts warn that tax exemptions could make the program more attractive to individuals seeking to avoid taxes, increasing the risk of abuse.

What Happens Next?

The Trump Card investor visa is still in its early stages. The only action available to interested parties is to join the waitlist at TrumpCard.gov. No formal application process, eligibility criteria, or regulatory framework has been published as of June 18, 2025.

Next steps for interested investors:

• Register on the waitlist: Go to TrumpCard.gov and provide your details.
• Stay informed: Watch for updates from the Department of Commerce and official government sources.
• Consult an immigration attorney: Given the legal uncertainty, it’s wise to seek professional advice before making any investment decisions.

The future of the EB-5 program is also uncertain. It may be repealed, replaced, or run in parallel with the Trump Card. Legislative action may be needed for key aspects of the Trump Card, especially tax exemptions and guarantees of permanent residency.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

• Trump Card official website: TrumpCard.gov (for waitlist registration and updates)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program (for current EB-5 information and forms)
• U.S. Department of Commerce: Expected to oversee the Trump Card, but no dedicated resource page as of June 2025

For the most up-to-date information on investor visas and immigration policy, check the USCIS EB-5 page, which provides official guidance on the existing program.

Conclusion and Practical Guidance

The Trump Card investor visa program represents a bold new direction in U.S. immigration policy, targeting the world’s wealthiest individuals with the promise of permanent residency and a path to citizenship for a $5 million investment. While thousands have already joined the waitlist, the program remains in the pre-launch phase, with no formal application process or detailed rules in place.

Key points to remember:

• Only the waitlist is open: No applications are being accepted yet.
• No published regulations: Investors should be cautious and seek professional advice.
• Uncertain legal status: The program may face legal challenges and will likely require congressional approval for key features.
• EB-5 program’s future is unclear: Current investors should monitor developments closely.

As the Trump Card moves forward, potential investors, immigration attorneys, and EB-5 stakeholders should stay informed and prepare for possible changes. For now, patience and careful planning are essential.

Learn Today

Trump Card → A proposed $5 million investor visa program offering U.S. permanent residency without job creation requirements.
EB-5 Program → An existing immigrant investor program requiring $1.05 million investment and creation of 10 U.S. jobs.
Waitlist → A registration list for interested applicants before formal visa applications are accepted.
Investor Visa → A visa that grants residency in exchange for a financial investment in the host country.
Job Creation Requirement → An immigration condition requiring investors to create a specified number of jobs in the U.S.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Trump Card investor visa offers wealthy individuals a $5 million path to U.S. residency and citizenship without job creation. Launched June 2025, only a waitlist is open, with legal and regulatory details pending, representing a major immigration policy shift amid debate and uncertainty.
— By VisaVerge.com