Trump’s Gold Card Visa: How Will It Affect Indian Applicants

US President Donald Trump has announced the Gold Card visa scheme, a new immigration pathway that grants direct US citizenship for an investment of $5 million. The program will replace the existing EB-5 investor visa, which has been in existence for more than 30 years. The development is likely to have a huge impact on Indian professionals waiting for US Green Cards.

How Is US Gold Card Visa Different From EB-5?

The EB-5 visa, which was created in 1990, demands foreign investors to invest $800,000 to $1.05 million in a US enterprise and generate a minimum of 10 American jobs. Even after fulfilling this condition, the applicants have to wait for 5-7 years before being granted a Green Card. The program has faced allegations of fraud and abuse over years.

Conversely, the Gold Card visa abolishes both the requirement of creating jobs and the waiting period. Rather, applicants can get instant permanent residency and an express route to US citizenship for a payment of $5 million.

Trump explained to journalists during his interaction with the media in the Oval Office that the scheme will provide a “path to citizenship, and wealthy individuals will be entering our nation by purchasing this card.”

They’ll be successful, and they’ll be rich, and they’ll be spending a tremendous amount of money and paying a tremendous amount of tax,” he said. He even hinted that the issuance of millions of Gold Cards would lessen the US deficit.

US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick added, “We’re putting an end to the flawed EB-5 program and replacing it with the Trump Gold Card.”

The Trump administration has further said that this shift will eliminate fraud and complexities associated with the EB-5 visa while attracting high-net-worth individuals (HNIs).

Can Indians Apply For The Gold Card Visa?

Indians currently on H-1B, EB-2, or EB-3 visas are eligible to apply for the Gold Card visa, if they pay the $5 million fee. However, this scheme will only benefit India’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, IT tycoons, and industrialists. While EB-5 visa which allows applicants to take loans or pool funds, the Gold Card visa requires full payment upfront.

How Will This Affect Indian Applicants?

The $5 million price ensures that only India’s super-rich can take advantage of this fast-track route to American residency, while skilled professionals on H-1B visas will continue facing decades-long Green Card backlogs.

For most Indians, the H-1B work visa remains the only viable path to a US Green Card. While H-1B holders can technically apply for the Gold Card, the high cost and lack of financing options will likely make it an unrealistic choice for many.