What Is the Gold Card Programme?
US Gold Card Immigration Initiative Replaces EB-5 Visa: A Game Changer for Indian Investors: In a surprising shift in US immigration policy, President Donald Trump has unveiled the Gold Card programme, a new route to US citizenship for foreign investors. The programme offers permanent residency in exchange for a $5 million direct investment to the US government. Unlike the EB-5 visa, which focused on investments in specific job-creating sectors or regions, the Gold Card simplifies the process by eliminating these conditions but imposes a higher financial threshold.
Impact on Indian Investors
The new policy has direct implications for Indian investors, many of whom had turned to the EB-5 visa as an alternative to the H-1B work visa, particularly amid tightening employment-based visa regulations. The Gold Card’s fivefold increase in investment requirement, compared to the $1 million under EB-5, may deter middle-tier investors. Experts predict a likely shift of interest towards countries like Portugal, Greece, and Canada, where investment-based residency programmes are more affordable and structured for broader access.
Economic Consequences of the Policy Change
Historically, Indian investors have significantly contributed to US sectors such as real estate, education, and technology through the EB-5 route. The introduction of the Gold Card, which lacks EB-5’s job creation criteria, could reduce capital inflow to local projects and weaken economic development incentives. While the Gold Card may attract high-net-worth individuals, it risks limiting the inclusive economic impact that made the EB-5 popular and beneficial for underserved communities.
Criticism and Policy Debate
Critics label the Gold Card as an elitist “pay-to-stay” programme, lacking the accountability checks present in EB-5. Without the job creation mandate, there’s concern that the Gold Card benefits wealthy applicants without contributing to community development. Immigration advocates argue that the policy resembles a concierge service for billionaires, excluding aspiring immigrants from developing nations who view the US as a place to build a future through hard work, not just wealth.
EB-5 vs. Gold Card: Key Differences
The EB-5 visa, introduced in 1990, was a targeted economic growth policy, encouraging investments in projects that generated employment. It offered flexibility with reduced investments in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs). The Gold Card, by contrast, has no such social or economic development requirement and comes with a significantly higher cost barrier, potentially making US citizenship exclusive to the ultra-wealthy.
Static GK Snapshot
| Topic | Fact |
| New Immigration Scheme | US Gold Card |
| Announced By | US President Donald Trump |
| Minimum Investment Required | $5 million |
| Replaces Which Programme | EB-5 Visa Programme (launched in 1990) |
| EB-5 Investment Threshold | $1 million (or $500,000 in TEAs) |
| EB-5 Job Creation Requirement | Yes, minimum 10 full-time US jobs created |
| Gold Card Job Requirement | None |
| Likely Impact on Indian Investors | Shift toward Portugal, Greece, Canada due to high cost |
| Key Criticism | Excludes middle-class immigrants; lacks development safeguards |
