On February 25, U.S. President Donald Trump made a groundbreaking announcement that could reshape the U.S. Immigration landscape. The President unveiled his plan for a new immigration initiative known as the “Gold Card”, which allows individuals to obtain U.S. residency by making a direct $5 million payment to the U.S. government.
What is the Gold Card?
The Gold Card would provide a direct route to U.S. residency for those who make a $5 million investment payment to the U.S. government, bypassing the traditional USCIS immigration process..
How Does This Affect the EB-5 Program?
The proposed Gold Card program could be a game-changer; however, its implementation could face legal challenges as an Executive order cannot eliminate the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. To eliminate the EB-5 program, the proposal will have to go through a full legislative process and require Congress approval.
Key Points to Consider:
EB-5 Protections: The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA), authorized by Congress in 2022, includes a “grandfather clause” protecting all EB-5 applications submitted by September 30, 2026, from future policy changes. This means that if you have already applied for EB-5, your application is safe from potential changes to the law.
Trump’s Gold Card Proposal：
While the Gold Card proposal offers a $5 million pathway to residency, it is still in its early stages and could face significant legal hurdles. It may violate existing immigration laws and constitutional provisions.
Increased Costs for Future Visas:
As with any new program, there are expectations that the price of obtaining U.S. residency through investment will increase. It’s expected that the Gold Card will be the first of many future shifts in the investment visa landscape, potentially leading to higher investment thresholds.
