Trump Gold Card - What lies ahead for US investment migration

?? The U.S. has just signaled a major shift in investment migration policy. President Donald Trump has announced the "Trump Gold Card"—a new investor visa program requiring a $5 million investment for U.S. permanent residency and a pathway to citizenship. Will it actually take shape and in what form?

With this move, the U.S. appears to be embracing high-net-worth investors just as Europe is tightening restrictions on citizenship-by-investment programs.

What We Know About the Trump Gold Card So Far

?? Investment Threshold: US $5 million—more than six times the current EB-5 minimum of $800,000.

?? Residency & Citizenship: Provides a structured path to U.S. citizenship potentially.

?? Policy Goals: Attract HNWIs and increase tax revenues.

?? Implementation Timeline: Commerce Secretary stated it could replace the EB-5 program within weeks.

U.S. vs. Europe: A Tale of Two Investment Migration Strategies

?? Europe: Tightening rules, increasing scrutiny, and phasing out citizenship-by-investment programs (e.g., Malta’s ongoing ECJ challenge).

???? U.S.: Pivoting to a more commercial approach, prioritizing capital inflows over strict regulatory concerns.

The contrast is striking. While the EU cracks down on golden visas and citizenship-by-investment schemes, the U.S. is opening its doors to ultra-wealthy investors—including those from politically sensitive regions.

Is This the End of the EB-5 Visa?

The EB-5 program has been a cornerstone of U.S. investment migration since 1990. But it has also been criticized for fraud risks, long processing times, and backlogs, particularly for investors from China, India, and Vietnam.

?? Commerce Secretary Lutnick bluntly stated: "The EB-5 program … it was full of nonsense, make-believe, and fraud. The president said, rather than having this sort of ridiculous EB-5 program, we're going to end it and replace it with the Trump Gold Card."

This raises critical questions for thousands of investors currently waiting for EB-5 visas:

?? Will their pending applications be honored?

?? Will they need to reinvest at the new US$5M threshold?

?? Will existing regional center projects lose funding?

Who Can Apply? Russian HNWIs?

When asked whether Russian oligarchs could apply, Trump reportedly told Reuters:

"Yeah, possibly. Hey, I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people."

This remark has fueled debates over whether the program will face geopolitical and security concerns, especially in light of U.S. sanctions on Russian assets.

Key Questions on the Trump Gold Card’s Future

?? Will lawmakers push back? Can this program pass through Congress, or is Trump merely testing investor sentiment?

?? Will investors actually line up? Is a $5M price tag too high compared to global alternatives?

?? What investment vehicles will be allowed? Will there be opportunities for ROI, or will it be a donation-based model?

?? Can the program maintain credibility? Will it balance economic incentives with due diligence and national security concerns?

If implemented, this would be one of the most significant shifts in U.S. investor immigration policy in decades. But will it actually happen?

?? Read the full analysis on The Golden Wealth Wire here: https://civitaspost.com/trumps-gold-card-and-the-end-of-the-eb-5/

#InvestmentMigration #USImmigration #GoldenVisa #TrumpGoldCard #EB5Visa #WealthManagement #CitizenshipByInvestment

This opinion piece is written by Lorena Jimenez Lopez, Founder and Managing Director of Civitas Post, a marketing and media firm dedicated to helping companies in investment migration, international tax, and the wealth sector enhance their presence, attract new business, and achieve growth. Civitas Post also publishes The Golden Wealth Wire, a premier industry magazine created by and for professionals in these sectors.

The information provided does not constitute legal or tax advice, readers are advise to seek independent advice based on their own circumstances referring to their local bar associations and chartered accountancy bodies in their country of residence.