Within a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), the EB-5 investment is $800,000; otherwise, it’s $1,050,000. Applying for EB-5 won’t affect other US legal statuses like H1-B, F-1, B-1, etc.
President Donald Trump’s recent announcement regarding the introduction of a new “Gold Card”—offering a pathway to U.S. citizenship in exchange for a $5 million investment—has sparked significant debate in the immigration and investment communities. This move has been positioned as a replacement for the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, a long-standing initiative designed to stimulate the U.S. economy through foreign investments that create American jobs. However, the fundamental shift in policy raises questions about its implications, fairness, and long-term economic impact.
The EB-5 program, established over 35 years ago, has played a crucial role in attracting foreign capital while ensuring job creation in the U.S. economy. Under current EB-5 regulations, investors must contribute at least $800,000 in targeted employment areas or $1,050,000 elsewhere, with a commitment to creating at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
President Trump’s proposed “Gold Card” program, however, eliminates these job creation requirements, making it a purely transactional pathway to residency and citizenship. This shift has major implications, as it may open doors for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) who are willing to invest in the U.S. but without a direct commitment to job creation or economic stimulation beyond their initial capital contribution.
While the Trump administration claims that the new program will reduce fraud and streamline the immigration process, legal experts argue that replacing EB-5 outright would require congressional approval. The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 reaffirmed congressional support for the program until 2027, making unilateral termination a complex legal challenge.
Moreover, concerns about national security, financial transparency, and potential misuse of the Gold Card program have been raised. Unlike EB-5, which requires source of funds verification and investment tracking, the proposed initiative appears to be more donation-based, raising the risk of money laundering, tax evasion, and exploitation by foreign entities.
For existing and prospective EB-5 applicants, this announcement introduces uncertainty, but also reinforces the urgency to act before major policy changes take effect. The EB-5 program remains active and, as of now, continues to offer benefits such as quicker processing times and grandfathering provisions for applicants who file before September 2026.
Under the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin, investors from all nationalities, including India and China, are seeing faster processing times through certain regional center projects. This makes 2025 an opportune time for those considering EB-5 investments to move forward before the potential introduction of a higher-priced alternative with fewer economic benefits.
As the landscape of investment-based immigration shifts, AHUB GLOBAL is actively assisting investors in navigating these changes. Whether through evaluating EB-5 opportunities, understanding the implications of the Gold Card proposal, or providing expert guidance on securing U.S. residency, AHUB GLOBAL remains committed to supporting investors in making informed decisions.
📧 eb5@ahubglobal.com
🌎 www.ahubglobal.com
With the “Gold Card” now carrying a price tag higher than real gold, its future remains uncertain, but what is clear is that the EB-5 program continues to be a viable and legally sound path to U.S. permanent residency—at least for now.
Srinivasa Manapragada
Special News Correspondent – Politics & Legal
United States Press Agency (USPA)
San Ramon, CA 94582
USA