Washington, D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new immigration policy, introducing a $5 million Gold Card that grants permanent residency and a pathway to U.S. citizenship. The new program replaces the EB-5 visa, which previously allowed foreign nationals to obtain a Green Card by investing $800,000 to $1 million and creating jobs.
Trump emphasized that the Gold Card would attract wealthy and successful individuals who will contribute significantly to the U.S. economy. He also suggested that companies may fund talent acquisition through this program. Unlike the EB-5 visa, the Gold Card has no cap on the number of applicants.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized the EB-5 program, calling it “full of fraud,” and stated that the Gold Card would introduce stricter vetting procedures for applicants. However, the criteria for this vetting remain unclear.
The policy marks another shift in Trump’s immigration reforms, which have already impacted H-1B visa processing, green card applications, and illegal immigration policies. The new $5 million requirement will limit eligibility to ultra-wealthy individuals, affecting Indian investors significantly.
