In a major immigration policy shift, US President Donald Trump has announced a new investor visa program—dubbed the "Trump Gold Card"—offering a direct path to US citizenship for a $5 million investment. This initiative, set to replace the 35-year-old EB-5 visa program, has sparked concerns among Indian nationals awaiting US green cards.
What is the ‘Gold Card’ Visa and How Does It Differ from a Green Card?
According to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the Trump Gold Card will officially replace the EB-5 visa within two weeks. The EB-5 visa program, introduced by Congress in 1990, was designed to attract foreign investment by requiring applicants to invest $800,000 to $1.05 million in a business that creates at least ten American jobs.
The new Gold Card, on the other hand, significantly raises the investment threshold to $5 million but eliminates the job creation requirement. Despite being branded as a "Gold Card," the visa would still function as a green card (permanent residency) and offer an immediate pathway to US citizenship.
Trump suggested that, unlike the EB-5 visa, which has a strict cap, the government could sell up to 10 million Gold Cards as a means to reduce the national deficit. However, the feasibility of this remains uncertain.
Key Differences Between EB-5 and the Proposed Gold Card Visa
The EB-5 visa and the proposed Trump Gold Card visa differ significantly in their investment requirements, job creation criteria, and pathway to US citizenship. Under the current EB-5 program, applicants must invest between $800,000 and $1.05 million in a US business that creates at least 10 jobs. The path to citizenship under this route takes approximately 5-7 years, and Indian applicants often face long backlogs, with waiting periods stretching 7-10 years or more.
In contrast, the Trump Gold Card visa raises the investment requirement to $5 million but eliminates the job creation requirement altogether. This visa offers an immediate pathway to US citizenship and has no backlog, as it operates on a direct purchase model. While this new proposal could provide a faster and simpler route to residency, the significantly higher financial threshold limits accessibility to only the wealthiest applicants.
Impact on Indian Green Card Applicants
For wealthy Indian investors, Trump’s Gold Card visa could be a fast-track alternative to US residency. Compared to the EB-5 program and the lengthy H-1B to green card process, this visa provides an immediate and simpler route to citizenship.
However, the primary concern is the steep cost. At $5 million, the Gold Card is significantly more expensive than the EB-5 visa’s $800,000 investment requirement. This effectively makes it a viable option only for India’s ultra-rich.
Will the Gold Card Completely Replace the EB-5 Visa?
If implemented, the Gold Card visa will fully replace the EB-5 investor visa program. While this transition is expected within weeks, it remains to be seen whether existing EB-5 applicants will be allowed to continue under the old rules or if they will have to meet the new $5 million threshold.
Can Indians on H-1B or EB-2/EB-3 Apply for the Gold Card?
Yes, Indians currently on H-1B, EB-2, or EB-3 visas can apply for the Gold Card visa, provided they can meet the $5 million investment requirement. This offers an alternative for those facing long waiting periods in the employment-based green card backlog.
Alternative US Immigration Options for Indians
Since the Gold Card visa may not be feasible for most Indians, several other immigration pathways remain available:
- The EB-5 visa, if still available before the proposed Trump Gold Card visa takes effect, requires an $800,000 investment in targeted employment areas. It offers a green card within 3-5 years, making it a faster route compared to the EB-2/EB-3 employment-based categories. However, applicants must create at least 10 jobs, and wait times could increase if demand rises.
- The O-1 visa is ideal for highly skilled professionals in technology, research, arts, or business. It provides a pathway to an EB-1 green card, which has no backlog for Indian applicants, making it a preferred option for those who qualify.
- For business owners and executives, the L-1 visa allows Indian companies to transfer employees to the US. This visa can serve as a stepping stone to a green card through the EB-1C category, offering a relatively quicker route to permanent residency.
- Meanwhile, the H-1B to EB-2/EB-3 route remains the most common pathway for Indian professionals working in the US. However, its biggest drawback is the long green card backlog, with wait times often exceeding a decade. This makes it one of the slowest routes to US permanent residency.
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