New Investor Visa to Replace EB-5, Offering Faster Citizenship Path but at a Premium Cost
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a “Gold Card” visa, a high-end alternative to the traditional Green Card, designed to provide wealthy foreign investors a fast-track route to U.S. citizenship. The visa, which requires a $5 million investment, will replace the existing EB-5 investor visa program.
This major policy shift could significantly impact Indian nationals, especially those waiting in long backlogs for employment-based green cards. However, the steep financial barrier means that only India’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) will have access to this exclusive immigration pathway.
Gold Card vs. EB-5 Visa: Key Differences
The EB-5 visa program, launched in 1990, has allowed investors to obtain U.S. residency by investing $800,000–$1.05 million and creating at least 10 jobs. However, Trump and his administration have criticized the program for being riddled with fraud and misuse.
Major changes under the Gold Card visa:
- Higher investment requirement: $5 million, compared to EB-5’s $800,000–$1.05 million.
- No job creation requirement: Unlike EB-5, investors will not have to prove employment generation.
- Faster path to citizenship: The Gold Card promises expedited processing and an accelerated route to U.S. naturalization.
- Direct revenue to U.S. government: Unlike EB-5, where funds often flow through private investment projects, revenue from Gold Card sales would directly contribute to the federal treasury.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that the EB-5 program will be eliminated, calling it “riddled with make-believe and fraud.” Trump has even speculated that selling 10 million Gold Cards could help reduce the U.S. national deficit.
How This Affects Indian Nationals Seeking U.S. Green Cards
1. Ultra-Rich Indians Gain an Advantage
With a $5 million price tag, the Gold Card visa will be accessible only to India’s wealthiest individuals, cutting out middle-class professionals who typically rely on H-1B, EB-2, and EB-3 pathways. Indian entrepreneurs, industrialists, and startup founders will likely be the biggest beneficiaries.
2. Impact on H-1B and Employment-Based Green Cards
Indians dominate H-1B work visas, with 3.9 lakh approvals in 2024 across 52,892 U.S. companies. Many Indian professionals use the EB-2 and EB-3 categories to transition to a green card, but wait times stretch to decades due to per-country limits.
If Trump reinstates stricter H-1B policies, as he did during his previous presidency, competition for work visas could become even tougher, making employment-based routes increasingly unreliable.
Alternative U.S. Immigration Options for Indians
Since the Gold Card visa will be financially unfeasible for most, Indian applicants may need to explore alternative immigration pathways:
1. EB-5 Visa (If Still Available)
- Requires $800,000 investment in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs).
- Provides a green card in 3-5 years, much faster than EB-2 or EB-3.
- If the Gold Card replaces EB-5, this option may no longer exist.
2. O-1 Visa for Highly Skilled Professionals
- Suitable for technology experts, researchers, artists, and business leaders.
- Can transition to an EB-1 green card, avoiding long backlogs.
- Ideal for Indian STEM professionals with exceptional skills.
3. L-1 Visa for Business Owners & Executives
- Enables intra-company transfers for multinational executives.
- Can lead to a green card through the EB-1C category.
- Best for entrepreneurs expanding their businesses to the U.S.
4. EB-2 & EB-3 (Employment-Based Green Cards)
- Most common pathway for Indian tech professionals on H-1B.
- However, wait times stretch to 20+ years due to country caps.
- If Trump tightens H-1B rules, this route may become even harder.
Will the Gold Card Visa Change U.S. Immigration for Indians?
Trump’s Gold Card visa proposal marks a major shift in U.S. immigration policy, replacing the EB-5 investor visa with a high-priced alternative aimed at the ultra-rich. While it offers faster citizenship and fewer conditions, it is out of reach for the vast majority of Indians.
For most Indian professionals, H-1B sponsorship, EB-2, and EB-3 green cards remain the only viable routes—though backlogs and policy changes could make them even more challenging.
If Trump wins the 2024 U.S. elections, expect stricter H-1B regulations, higher immigration barriers, and a shift toward wealth-based visa policies. Indian nationals seeking U.S. permanent residency must prepare for an evolving and more exclusive immigration landscape.
