Why in news?

US President Donald Trump has launched the long-awaited ‘Gold Card’ visa programme, inviting individuals and companies to invest at least $1 million. The initiative aims to attract global talent, generate significant revenue for the US Treasury, and offer a faster, more advantageous route compared to the conventional EB-5 visa system.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Trump Gold Card
• Growing Interest Among Indians in Investment-Based US Residency
• Why Experts Still Prefer EB-5?

Trump Gold Card

• The Trump Gold Card is a newly launched US visa programme offering permanent residency and a pathway to citizenship in exchange for high-value investments.
• It replaces the EB-5 visa system and is designed to draw foreign capital and skilled talent into the US.
• Who Can Apply?
  • Individuals: Must qualify for lawful permanent residency and be admissible to the US.
  • Corporations: Can sponsor foreign-born employees.
  • Families: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may apply but must pay additional fees.
• Costs and Fees
  • Processing Fee: $15,000 per applicant or corporate sponsor (non-refundable).
  • Investment/Gift: $1 million for individual applicants; $2 million per employee for corporate sponsors
  • Additional Costs: Visa fees and medical exam charges.
• Benefits of the Gold Card
  • Grants US permanent residency through EB-1 or EB-2 categories.
  • Faster processing than traditional visa routes.
  • Eligible family members may join.
  • Offers a direct path to US citizenship.
• Key Rules and Restrictions
  • Status may be revoked for security risks or serious criminal offences.
  • Applicants from some countries may face year-long waits.
  • All recipients must pay US taxes on global income.

Growing Interest Among Indians in Investment-Based US Residency

• With long delays in employment-based Green Card processing, many Indians — especially H-1B holders and wealthy families — are turning to investment pathways for faster US residency.
• EB-5: A Favoured Route for Indian Investors
  • The EB-5 visa offers a comparatively quicker route to permanent residency.
    • Requires $800,000–$1,050,000 investment based on project type and location.
    • Must create or preserve 10 full-time US jobs.
    • Typically done through USCIS-approved regional centres, which handle over 90% of EB-5 applications.
    • Begins with a conditional Green Card, later becoming permanent.
  • This programme appeals strongly to Indian HNIs aiming to secure their children’s future in the US.
• Gold Card vs EB-5: Key Differences
  • The Trump Gold Card provides permanent residency but differs fundamentally from EB-5:
    • Gold Card requires a non-refundable $1 million (individual) or $2 million (corporate) contribution directly to the US government.
    • No specified job-creation requirement, unlike EB-5.
    • Not an investment, offering no capital return, whereas EB-5 allows potential returns.
    • Applicants must still meet EB-1A or EB-2 NIW criteria of extraordinary ability or national interest.
  • Experts note that while Gold Card may offer faster processing, it does not simplify eligibility requirements or reduce costs compared to EB-5.

Why Experts Still Prefer EB-5?

• Immigration specialists argue that:
  • EB-5 remains the fastest, most cost-effective path to US residency for many.
  • It does not require extraordinary ability, making it more accessible.
  • It helps prevent dependent children from “aging out” while awaiting EB-2 or EB-3 priority dates.
  • Unlike Gold Card, EB-5 offers predictability and potential investment returns.
• EB-5 Stability After Legal Reforms
  • The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) 2022 extended the Regional Centre Programme to 2027.
  • Investments made before September 2026 are grandfathered, offering protection even if the programme changes later.
  • This has increased investor confidence and reduced uncertainty.
• Rising EB-5 Demand Among Indians
  • EB-5 has seen strong Indian uptake:
    • $4.1 billion invested in the first three quarters of FY2025 alone.
    • 1,050–1,150 Indian applicants post-RIA, making India the second-largest source of EB-5 submissions (20–22%).
    • Growing interest is driven by:
    • H-1B holders frustrated with long Green Card delays.
    • Wealthy families seeking secure US residency and education opportunities for their children.