A New Chapter for the Gold Card

In September, President Trump officially launched the “Trump Gold Card” visa through executive order. For a $1 million donation to the U.S. government, qualified applicants can receive permanent residency—no job creation or investment required. A corporate version costs $2 million, and a “Platinum Card” ($5M) is also in the works.

As of mid-October, no applications are open yet, but federal agencies are racing to build a system by year-end. Applicants would be classified under EB-1 or EB-2 categories—still subject to visa quotas and backlogs, including for India. The program’s legal foundation is shaky: immigration attorneys widely expect court challenges, since only Congress can legally create new visa categories.

India’s Reaction: Interest with Caution

The Gold Card sparked curiosity among Indian HNIs and professionals facing steep H-1B fee hikes ($100,000). Some firms report a 30–40% rise in queries. But the lack of investment return, legal uncertainty, and ongoing backlogs are giving many investors pause. Meanwhile, EB-5 continues to see strong traction from India—offering a structured, job-creating path with potential capital recovery and faster processing through rural projects.

Don’t Miss the Window

Among all available U.S. residency options, EB-5 is still the most secure and time-tested route, but the window may not stay open forever. Most critically, EB-5 is only authorized through 2027, and the administration’s preference for cash-based programs may signal limited support for its renewal. This makes it even more important to apply now, while the window is still open.

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