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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
