In a dramatic overhaul of America’s investor immigration system, U.S. President Donald Trump has launched the “Gold Card Visa Programme”, a new pathway that offers foreign nationals U.S. residency — and eventually citizenship — in exchange for a substantial investment of Rs 8.3 crore ($1 million).
Unveiled at the White House’s historic Roosevelt Room, the initiative marks the biggest shift in investor visas in decades, officially replacing the long-standing EB-5 programme, which was introduced in 1990. Trump described the move as a “historic reform” aimed at modernising both immigration and economic policy in one stroke.
A Bold Replacement for the EB-5 Visa
Under the new programme:
●Individuals must invest Rs 8.3 crore ($1 million)
●Corporations must invest ₹16.6 crore ($2 million) per foreign employee
Unlike the EB-5 system—frequently criticised for loopholes, fraud, and misuse of private intermediaries—the Gold Card visa will be directly administered by the U.S. Treasury Department.
Trump emphasised that this structure “removes middlemen, ensures transparency, and channels funds straight into national priorities”.
Money Goes Directly to the U.S. Treasury
All investments will be deposited into a federal account, to be used for major national projects including:
●Infrastructure modernisation
●Energy development
●Manufacturing expansion
Trump projected that the programme could bring in “billions of dollars” from global high-net-worth individuals eager to gain a foothold in the United States.
High Interest from Asia & Middle East
The official application portal, launched simultaneously with the announcement, has already recorded strong traffic. Immigration analysts say the first wave of applicants is likely to come from:
India
China
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
All applicants will undergo stringent federal background and financial checks. Successful candidates will receive U.S. residency rights and may apply for citizenship after fulfilling a mandatory qualifying period.
Critics Call It ‘Citizenship for Sale’
While investors have welcomed the programme, critics warn that it could deepen economic inequality by effectively offering citizenship to the wealthy while traditional applicants wait years in long queues.
Policy analysts note that Trump’s move aligns with global investor-visa trends in Portugal, Canada, and the U.K., positioning the U.S. as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for capital-driven immigration.
A New Immigration Strategy for a New America
Trump described the programme as a cornerstone of his broader agenda: “This is for people who believe in America’s future — and want to invest in it.”
With elections approaching, experts say the Gold Card visa could become a major talking point, symbolising Trump’s focus on economic nationalism and business-centric immigration reforms.
