Donald Trump’s $5 million 'gold card' visa: What does it mean for Indian nationals?
Mar 10, 2025, 04:47 IST
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced his plans to offer a “gold card” visa with a path to citizenship for $5 million, replacing a 35-year-old EB-5 visa for investors. The move has raised concerns among Indian nationals awaiting US green cards.
President Donald Trump has proposed a new "gold card" visa program, offering wealthy foreign nationals a pathway to U.S. residency and citizenship in exchange for a $5 million investment. This initiative aims to replace the existing EB-5 investor visa program, which currently requires a lower investment and mandates job creation.
Key Features of the Proposed Gold Card Visa:
Investment Requirement: Applicants must invest $5 million to qualify for the visa.
No Job Creation Mandate: Unlike the EB-5 program, the gold card visa does not require applicants to create jobs in the U.S.
Path to Citizenship: The visa provides an immediate pathway to U.S. citizenship without the usual requirements associated with other visa categories.
Implications for Indian Nationals:
The introduction of the gold card visa has significant implications for Indian nationals, particularly those seeking U.S. residency:
Accelerated Residency: Wealthy Indians can obtain U.S. residency more swiftly compared to the protracted waiting periods associated with employment-based green cards, which can extend over several decades.
Financial Accessibility: The substantial $5 million investment requirement may limit eligibility to India's ultra-rich, making it less accessible to a broader segment of the population.
Transition from EB-5: The proposed replacement of the EB-5 program with the gold card visa raises concerns among Indian investors who found the EB-5's lower investment threshold more attainable.
Market Reactions and Concerns:
The proposal has elicited mixed reactions:
Real Estate Market Impact: Experts caution that the influx of wealthy investors could drive up property prices, exacerbating housing affordability issues in the U.S.
Security and Corruption Risks: There are apprehensions that the program could be exploited by individuals seeking to launder money or evade legal scrutiny, similar to challenges faced by comparable programs in Europe.
Current Status and Outlook:
As of now, the gold card visa is a proposal and has not been implemented. Its introduction would signify a notable shift in U.S. immigration policy, emphasizing wealth-based criteria over traditional employment and family-based pathways. Indian nationals considering this option should monitor developments closely and assess how it aligns with their immigration objectives.