Is the Trump Gold Card the New EB-5? What You Should Know

Touted as a streamlined alternative to the traditional EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, the Trump Gold Card has already sparked debate among expats, investors, and immigration professionals alike.

The Trump Gold Card was introduced in the first quarter by President Donald Trump as a proposed investment-based pathway to US residency and eventual citizenship.

This guide answers key questions about the program, including:

What is a gold card in the US?
How to get a Trump Gold Card?
What are the Trump Gold Card benefits?
Is a gold card the same as a green card?

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Table of Contents

What is the gold card for US citizenship?

The Trump Gold Card, also called Trump citizenship card, is positioned as a high-value investor residency program, modeled after global citizenship-by-investment schemes.

While it shares structural similarities with the EB-5 visa, the Gold Card introduces a higher financial threshold and an emphasis on expedited processing for eligible investors.

According to official announcements, successful applicants may receive:

US residency status upon investment approval
A fast-tracked route to permanent residency and eventual citizenship
Family inclusion for spouses and dependent children

Although full legal implementation is still pending, the Trump Gold Card reflects a growing trend toward elite investor migration models, echoing citizenship-by-investment schemes in other countries, but within a US legal and political framework.

How to get a gold card in the US

Online Registration
Interested applicants can pre-register via the official website. This step appears to be the first stage of interest confirmation, not a formal application.
Investment Requirements
Applicants are expected to commit $5 million into approved US economic sectors or development projects. The program may specify target industries or regions, though exact criteria are yet to be published.
Background and Security Screening
Like other US immigration programs, candidates will undergo extensive due diligence, including criminal, financial, and national security checks.
Approval and Issuance
Once approved, successful applicants would receive a Trump Gold Card, granting residency rights and a potential pathway to citizenship, possibly with fewer residency restrictions than traditional green card holders.

Because the program is in early rollout stages, it’s not yet clear whether the Gold Card will be implemented via executive authority, congressional legislation, or an EB-5-style regulatory framework.

Until further legal structures are established, participation is limited to pre-enrollment and investor interest submissions.

What are the benefits of the Trump gold card?

Benefits of Trump Gold Card — *_{^{Photo by Mohammed Abubakr on Pexels}}*

Residency Without Lengthy Wait Times
Unlike traditional investor visas, the Trump Gold Card may offer expedited processing, targeting a faster route to US residency for eligible investors.
Pathway to Citizenship
Holders are promised a streamlined path to US citizenship, potentially bypassing some of the typical hurdles faced by EB-5 or green card applicants.
No Active Management Requirement
Unlike entrepreneur visas that require day-to-day business oversight, the Gold Card appears to accept passive investments, similar to the classic EB-5 model.
Inclusion of Immediate Family
The program is expected to extend benefits to spouses and minor children, including residency and access to US education and healthcare.
Prestige and Political Branding
The card carries the Trump name and branding, appealing to some applicants seeking association with the former president’s policies or influence.

What is the difference between green card and gold card?

The Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card) is the standard pathway for lawful permanent residency in the US.

It allows individuals to live and work in the country indefinitely and eventually apply for citizenship, typically after five years.

By contrast, the proposed Trump Gold Card is positioned as a premium immigration tier, dubbed by Trump to be a more “high-level Green Card”.

While both may lead to US citizenship, their structure, benefits, and eligibility differ significantly:

Feature	Green Card	Trump Gold Card
Pathway Type	Family, employment, asylum, refugee, or diversity lottery	Investment-based
Minimum Investment	None for most categories	$5 million minimum
Job Creation Requirement	EB-5 requires 10 jobs (for investor route)	None required
Processing Time	Typically 1–3 years depending on pathway and backlog	Undisclosed; may be streamlined if implemented
Residency Requirement	Continuous US residence with physical presence rules	Not clearly defined; possible flexibility suggested
Citizenship Eligibility	After 5 years of permanent residency with physical presence	Potentially similar or shorter; details not publicly confirmed
Tax Obligations	Subject to worldwide taxation upon Green Card issuance	Claimed exemption from US tax on foreign income

Conclusion

The Trump Gold Card may reshape US investor immigration by offering an ultra-premium alternative to EB-5, but it remains more concept than certainty.

Until clearer legal, procedural, and tax frameworks are confirmed, it stands as a bold proposal rather than an actionable path.

Investors considering this route should stay informed, weigh the risks, and watch closely as the details evolve.

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Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters with over 830million answer views on Quora, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.