Highlights:
- Trump’s Gold Card visa sees minimal applicant interest since launch
- Experts cite unclear guidelines and legal ambiguity as key deterrents
- EB-5 investor visa remains a popular, well-established alternative
- EB-5 investment covers the whole family and has proven pathways to permanent residency
- Ultra-high-net-worth individuals are the narrow audience for the Gold Card
President Donald Trump’s $1 million Gold Card visa program has failed to generate the interest anticipated by the administration, drawing attention to the challenges of launching a new immigration pathway for wealthy investors. Nearly a week after applications opened, the program has seen minimal engagement from potential applicants, according to immigration experts and industry insiders.
Keshav Singhania, Head of Private Client at Singhania & Co, explained that one of the key issues is the program’s vague application instructions. “The Gold Card’s instructions are loosely worded, with no clear pathway to permanent residency or citizenship,” he said. Such ambiguity has left investors unsure about what the program actually guarantees and how it differs from existing immigration options.
Leading immigration lawyer Poorvi Chothani also advised clients to consider the EB-5 investor visa instead of the Gold Card. “We haven’t received any inquiries about the Gold Card, and given the EB-5’s established legal framework, clients are likely to prefer it,” Chothani said. The EB-5 visa, which has been in operation for decades, provides a defined route to U.S. permanent residency and has proven reliability that high-net-worth individuals value.
The EB-5 program requires investors to commit $800,000 to a targeted employment area or $1.05 million elsewhere, while creating at least 10 full-time jobs. Unlike the Gold Card, which charges $1 million per family member plus processing fees, the EB-5 investment covers the investor’s entire family. This factor makes EB-5 a more cost-effective and predictable option for families seeking to immigrate to the United States.
Shilpa Malik, Managing Attorney at VisaLaw Nation, noted that the Gold Card’s potential audience is extremely narrow. “The program mainly appeals to ultra-high-net-worth individuals who are seeking long-term U.S. access and brand association rather than immediate immigration outcomes,” she said. However, such individuals represent a very limited market, reducing the program’s overall attractiveness.
In contrast, the EB-5 program continues to enjoy strong demand, particularly from investors in India and China. Each year, around 10,000 EB-5 visas are issued, reflecting both the program’s popularity and reliability. The predictable legal framework, clear investment requirements, and established track record make EB-5 a preferred route for global investors.
The Gold Card’s early struggles highlight the challenges of introducing a new high-cost visa program in an already competitive market. With legal uncertainty, lack of a clear roadmap, and limited appeal to the ultra-wealthy, the program has yet to demonstrate its potential. For now, the EB-5 visa remains the tried-and-true option for high-net-worth individuals looking to secure U.S. residency for themselves and their families.
