President Donald Trump has proposed a new immigration program that would allow wealthy individuals to buy a “Gold Card”—a special pathway to U.S. residency and citizenship for a $5 million price tag. Unlike traditional green cards, which often require family sponsorship, employment, or investment in American businesses, this new program would eliminate job creation requirements and instead focus solely on financial contributions.

While Trump argues that this will bring high-net-worth individuals to the U.S. and boost tax revenue, the program could limit economic opportunities for skilled workers, fail to address labor shortages, and create an immigration system that favors wealth over merit. This blog will break down how the Gold Card may work, how it compares to the existing EB-5 visa program, and why it could have long-term consequences for the U.S. workforce.

How Would Trump’s $5 Million “Gold Card” Work?

The proposed Gold Card would allow wealthy individuals to gain U.S. residency by paying $5 million to the U.S. government. Trump claims that these high-net-worth immigrants would contribute significantly in taxes, stimulate the economy, and create jobs indirectly through their spending.

Here’s how it would reportedly work:

• Applicants must pass security vetting to ensure they meet basic eligibility criteria.
• Instead of investing in businesses or job creation, candidates pay $5 million directly to the U.S. government.
• Approved applicants receive a residency pathway with an eventual option for U.S. citizenship.
• Unlike the EB-5 visa, there is no requirement to invest in American businesses or create jobs.

Trump has framed this as a “more sophisticated” alternative to the existing green card process, prioritizing financial contributions over skills, family ties, or employment-based needs.

How Does This Compare to the EB-5 Investor Visa?

The EB-5 visa program, which already exists, allows foreign investors to apply for a green card if they invest between $800,000 and $1 million in a U.S. business and create at least 10 American jobs. However, EB-5 applicants only receive conditional residency for two years, and they must prove that their investment has led to job creation before receiving a permanent green card.

Key Differences Between the Gold Card and EB-5 Visa:

Gold Card ($5 Million Payment)

• No job creation requirement.
• No need to invest in U.S. businesses.
• Immediate residency benefits.
• Citizenship pathway available.

– EB-5 Visa ($800,000–$1 Million Investment)

• Must invest in a U.S. business.
• Must create at least 10 American jobs.
• Conditional residency for two years.
• Citizenship available after meeting strict investment/job creation requirements.

While the EB-5 visa is designed to fuel economic growth and create jobs, the Gold Card eliminates those requirements, allowing wealthy immigrants to bypass traditional immigration rules without demonstrating any economic benefit beyond their financial contribution.

Why the Gold Card Could Keep Talent Out of the U.S.

One of the biggest concerns about this plan is that it could make it even harder for skilled workers, professionals, and entrepreneurs to immigrate to the U.S. The country already has strict limits on work-based visas, and eliminating the EB-5 job creation model in favor of a pay-to-stay system could reduce opportunities for those who contribute through talent and expertise.

• Less Incentive for High-Skill Workers – Many talented professionals cannot afford a $5 million residency fee. This could limit the U.S.’s ability to attract engineers, doctors, researchers, and other highly skilled workers who traditionally use programs like H-1B or EB-2 visas.
• Weakened Economic Impact – Unlike EB-5 investments that require job creation, the Gold Card provides no direct benefit to the labor market.
• Prioritizing Wealth Over Need – The U.S. workforce is facing critical shortages in healthcare, STEM fields, and essential labor industries. Offering visas based on wealth rather than filling workforce gaps could leave businesses struggling to find qualified workers.

This shift de-prioritizes job creation and skill-based immigration, making it harder for non-wealthy but highly skilled individuals to find a path to residency.

What This Means for the Future of U.S. Immigration

The Gold Card program would represent a major shift in U.S. immigration policy, prioritizing ultra-wealthy immigrants over workers, families, and entrepreneurs. While it may generate short-term revenue for the U.S. government, it raises concerns about:

• Creating a Two-Tier Immigration System – Those who can pay $5 million get immediate access, while skilled professionals, family-based applicants, and refugees face years of waiting and strict requirements.
• Weakening the Workforce Pipeline – Eliminating the EB-5 job creation requirement means fewer businesses benefit from foreign investment, potentially harming industries that rely on immigrant-driven economic growth.
• Long-Term Economic Effects – While these wealthy immigrants may spend and pay taxes, will their contributions outweigh the jobs and businesses created by traditional investor and employment-based visas?

Instead of making it easier for highly skilled immigrants and entrepreneurs to enter the country, this program focuses solely on money, leaving out the individuals who could innovate, build businesses, and strengthen key industries.

Final Thoughts from Our Immigration Law Firm: A Step in the Wrong Direction?

Trump’s Gold Card proposal presents a fundamentally different approach to immigration—one that favors wealth over contribution, business investment, or workforce needs. While it may attract high-net-worth individuals, it does little to address labor shortages, innovation gaps, or the broader economic impact of skilled immigration.

A more effective approach would be reforming existing visa programs to:

• Expand pathways for high-skilled workers in critical industries.
• Reduce delays and backlog for employment-based and family-based green cards.
• Improve the EB-5 program to balance investment opportunities with job creation.

The United States thrives on talent, diversity, and economic contribution. While attracting wealthy immigrants is not inherently bad, a policy that eliminates job creation requirements and limits opportunities for skilled professionals may not be the best strategy for long-term economic growth.

At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we stay up to date on immigration policy shifts to help individuals and families plan for the future. If you have questions about your immigration options, call us at (203) 753-7300 for a consultation. We provide legal services in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, ensuring that every client has the guidance they need to make informed decisions.