USA Gold Visa 2025: Trump’s New Path for Wealthy Investors

🗓️ 26 Feb 2025

At Abroad Routes, your trusted immigration consultancy in Dubai, we’re always on the lookout for the latest global immigration opportunities to help our clients achieve their dreams of living and working abroad. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a bold new proposal that’s generating buzz worldwide: the “USA Gold Card” visa program. This initiative promises to replace the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa with a streamlined, high-value pathway to U.S. permanent residency and citizenship—for a price tag of $5 million. Here’s what we know so far and how it could impact wealthy investors in the UAE and beyond.

What is the USA Gold Visa Program?

Announced on February 25, 2025, from the Oval Office, the USA Gold Visa—often referred to as the “Gold Card”—is designed to attract affluent foreigners to the United States. Unlike the current EB-5 program, which requires a minimum investment of $800,000 to $1.05 million in a U.S. business that creates at least 10 jobs, the Gold Visa sets a significantly higher bar. For $5 million, applicants would gain permanent residency (akin to a green card) and a clear route to U.S. citizenship, without the complex job-creation requirements of the EB-5.

President Trump has positioned this program as a way to bring “wealthy and successful” individuals into the U.S., emphasizing that these investors will spend money, pay taxes, and potentially bolster the economy. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has echoed this sentiment, calling the existing EB-5 program “full of nonsense and fraud” and touting the Gold Card as a vetted, premium alternative for “world-class global citizens.”

Why the Shift from EB-5?

The EB-5 program, launched in 1990, has long been a popular option for investors seeking U.S. residency. However, it’s faced criticism for fraud risks, lengthy processing times, and challenges in verifying the legitimacy of funds. The Trump administration aims to phase out EB-5 entirely, replacing it with the Gold Visa to simplify the process and raise the entry threshold—making it exclusive to ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

For our clients in Dubai, this shift could signal a new era of opportunity—or a narrowing of options, depending on your financial goals and capacity. The $5 million price tag positions the U.S. as one of the priciest “golden visa” programs globally, outpacing programs in countries like Portugal (€500,000) or Greece (€250,000).

Key Features of the USA Gold Visa Program

Although details are still emerging, here’s what we’ve gathered based on Trump’s announcement:

Cost: A flat $5 million fee, likely a direct payment rather than an investment tied to job creation.
Privileges: Immediate green card status, allowing recipients to live, work, and travel freely in the U.S., with a pathway to citizenship after five years as a permanent resident.
Timeline: Set to launch in two weeks from the announcement date—around mid-March 2025.
Vetting: Thorough background checks to ensure applicants meet high standards, though specific criteria remain unclear.
No Congressional Approval Needed: Trump claims the program can be implemented via executive action, bypassing Congress, though legal experts question this assertion.

Trump has also floated the idea of selling millions of these cards, suggesting the revenue could help reduce the U.S. national debt—a potential $50 trillion windfall if 10 million are sold. While ambitious, this vision underscores the program’s scale and economic intent.

How Does This Compare Globally?

Golden visa programs are nothing new—over 100 countries, including the UAE, offer residency-through-investment options. However, the Trump Gold Visa’s $5 million fee dwarfs most alternatives. For comparison:

UAE Golden Visa: Starts at AED 2 million (around $545,000) for real estate investors.
Portugal: €500,000 (about $524,000) via investment funds or property.
Canada: The now-defunct Immigrant Investor Program required $800,000 CAD.

The U.S. program’s high cost may deter some, but for Dubai’s elite—business tycoons, entrepreneurs, and investors with global ambitions—it could be a worthwhile trade-off for access to the world’s largest economy and a coveted U.S. passport.

Opportunities for UAE Investors

For our clients at Abroad Routes, the Gold Visa presents a unique proposition:

Simplified Process: No need to navigate the EB-5’s job-creation maze—just pay the fee and pass vetting.
Corporate Advantage: Trump hinted that companies could purchase Gold Cards for talented employees, potentially benefiting UAE-based firms looking to secure U.S. residency for key staff.
Prestige and Access: U.S. citizenship offers unparalleled travel freedom, business opportunities, and a stable base in a global superpower.

However, there are considerations to weigh. The U.S. taxes its citizens and green card holders on worldwide income, which could impact high-net-worth individuals with assets across multiple jurisdictions. Also, the program’s legal footing remains uncertain—Congress may challenge Trump’s unilateral approach, potentially delaying implementation.

What’s Next?

The Gold Visa is slated to roll out in mid-March 2025, but many questions linger: Will there be a cap on issuances?

What specific vetting processes will apply?

How will it integrate with existing immigration frameworks?

At Abroad Routes, we’re closely monitoring developments to provide our Dubai clients with real-time insights.

If you’re a high-net-worth individual or business owner in the UAE considering U.S. residency, now’s the time to start planning. Our expert consultants can assess your eligibility, compare the Gold Visa to other global options, and guide you through the application process once it’s live.

Let Abroad Routes Be Your Guide

The USA Gold Visa could redefine U.S. immigration for the wealthy, and Abroad Routes is here to help you seize this opportunity. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore how this program—or alternatives like the UAE Golden Visa—can align with your international aspirations. Whether it’s the U.S., Europe, or beyond, we’re your trusted partner on the journey to a new home abroad.

Stay tuned for updates as we learn more about this game-changing proposal!