Trump’s $1 Million Gold Card Visa: Features, Costs, Benefits & India Impact

Trump Gold Card Visa Latest News

• US President Donald Trump has launched the long-awaited ‘Gold Card’ visa programme, inviting individuals and companies to invest at least $1 million. 
• The initiative aims to attract global talent, generate significant revenue for the US Treasury, and offer a faster, more advantageous route compared to the conventional EB-5 visa system.

Trump Gold Card

• The Trump Gold Card is a newly launched US visa programme offering permanent residency and a pathway to citizenship in exchange for high-value investments. 
• It replaces the EB-5 visa system and is designed to draw foreign capital and skilled talent into the US.

Who Can Apply

• Individuals: Must qualify for lawful permanent residency and be admissible to the US.
• Corporations: Can sponsor foreign-born employees.
• Families: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may apply but must pay additional fees.

Costs and Fees

• Processing Fee: $15,000 per applicant or corporate sponsor (non-refundable).
• Investment/Gift: $1 million for individual applicants; $2 million per employee for corporate sponsors
• Additional Costs: Visa fees and medical exam charges.

Benefits of the Gold Card

• Grants US permanent residency through EB-1 or EB-2 categories.
• Faster processing than traditional visa routes.
• Eligible family members may join.
• Offers a direct path to US citizenship.

Key Rules and Restrictions

• Status may be revoked for security risks or serious criminal offences.
• Applicants from some countries may face year-long waits.
• All recipients must pay US taxes on global income.

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Growing Interest Among Indians in Investment-Based US Residency

• With long delays in employment-based Green Card processing, many Indians — especially H-1B holders and wealthy families — are turning to investment pathways for faster US residency.

EB-5: A Favoured Route for Indian Investors

• The EB-5 visa offers a comparatively quicker route to permanent residency.
  • Requires $800,000–$1,050,000 investment based on project type and location.
  • Must create or preserve 10 full-time US jobs.
  • Typically done through USCIS-approved regional centres, which handle over 90% of EB-5 applications.
  • Begins with a conditional Green Card, later becoming permanent.
• This programme appeals strongly to Indian HNIs aiming to secure their children’s future in the US.

Gold Card vs EB-5: Key Differences

• The Trump Gold Card provides permanent residency but differs fundamentally from EB-5:
  • Gold Card requires a non-refundable $1 million (individual) or $2 million (corporate) contribution directly to the US government.
  • No specified job-creation requirement, unlike EB-5.
  • Not an investment, offering no capital return, whereas EB-5 allows potential returns.
  • Applicants must still meet EB-1A or EB-2 NIW criteria of extraordinary ability or national interest.
• Experts note that while Gold Card may offer faster processing, it does not simplify eligibility requirements or reduce costs compared to EB-5.

Why Experts Still Prefer EB-5

• Immigration specialists argue that:
  • EB-5 remains the fastest, most cost-effective path to US residency for many.
  • It does not require extraordinary ability, making it more accessible.
  • It helps prevent dependent children from “aging out” while awaiting EB-2 or EB-3 priority dates.
  • Unlike Gold Card, EB-5 offers predictability and potential investment returns.

EB-5 Stability After Legal Reforms

• The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) 2022 extended the Regional Centre Programme to 2027.
• Investments made before September 2026 are grandfathered, offering protection even if the programme changes later.
• This has increased investor confidence and reduced uncertainty.

Rising EB-5 Demand Among Indians

• EB-5 has seen strong Indian uptake:
  • $4.1 billion invested in the first three quarters of FY2025 alone.
  • 1,050–1,150 Indian applicants post-RIA, making India the second-largest source of EB-5 submissions (20–22%).
  • Growing interest is driven by:
  • H-1B holders frustrated with long Green Card delays.
  • Wealthy families seeking secure US residency and education opportunities for their children.

Source: TH | ToI | NDTV