The Trump Gold Card: Curiosity Is Rising, but Investors Are Still Choosing EB-5

Nearly a year after the Trump administration introduced the concept of a “Gold Card” visa, curiosity about the proposal continues to circulate among high net worth investors exploring U.S. residency options. On the surface, the idea appears simple: contribute a significant sum to the United States and receive expedited access to permanent residency. But immigration law is rarely that straightforward.

Since the initial announcement, several developments have followed as policymakers explore how the proposal might take shape. Most recently, an online portal was launched allowing prospective applicants to register their interest in the program. The program is also listed on the White House website.

According to The American Legal Center, a team of U.S. licensed lawyers in Dubai, the portal has triggered a wave of inquiries from individuals seeking to understand whether the Gold Card could eventually become a viable pathway to U.S. permanent residency.

At first glance, the proposal appears straightforward. Early indications suggest the program could require a financial contribution of roughly $1 million or more per applicant. Yet beneath the curiosity lies a practical question: will the program materialize in a form investors can rely on?

A concept still taking shape

For now, the Gold Card remains largely conceptual. Key questions around eligibility requirements, processing mechanisms and legal authority have yet to be fully clarified.

Uncertainty has increased following the filing of a federal lawsuit challenging the legality of the program. The case argues that the initiative unlawfully prioritises wealthy applicants and was introduced without the legislative backing typically required for a new visa category.

While the outcome remains unclear, the legal challenge highlights a broader reality: immigration programs introduced through executive initiatives often face scrutiny before becoming fully operational.

Why investors continue to rely on EB-5

Many investors exploring the Gold Card concept are also reviewing more established pathways. The most prominent remains the U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which has served as the United States’ primary residency-by-investment framework for more than three decades.

EB-5 allows foreign investors and their families to obtain U.S. permanent residency through qualifying investments that create jobs for American workers.

Cost considerations also shape the comparison. The proposed Gold Card could require a financial contribution of approximately $1 million per applicant, along with government processing fees. By contrast, EB-5 currently requires an $800,000 investment in a qualifying project.

Just as importantly, EB-5 capital is invested into economic development projects and may eventually be returned to the investor. The Gold Card payment, by contrast, is expected to function more like a direct contribution.

Shai Zamanian, a U.S. licensed immigration lawyer and director of The American Legal Center’s Dubai office, says curiosity around the Gold Card is understandable, but investors tend to prioritise programs with clear legal frameworks.

“People are naturally interested in the Gold Card concept and want to understand how it might work,” he says. “But until the government establishes a clear policy structure, most serious applicants continue to focus on the EB-5 program because it already has a defined legal framework and a proven process.”

As investors evaluate evolving U.S. immigration options, understanding the legal structure behind each pathway will be critical. Firms such as The American Legal Center regularly advise investors on navigating the EB-5 process while monitoring emerging proposals like the Gold Card as the policy landscape continues to evolve.