The U.S. “Gold Card”: A New Pathway to Citizenship.

The United States government has confirmed the imminent launch of its highly anticipated “Gold Card” program, slated to commence next week. As revealed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during a White House cabinet meeting, this new initiative, championed by the Trump administration, aims to stimulate job creation and reduce the national deficit.

Priced at $5 million, the Gold Card offers affluent investors an expedited route to U.S. citizenship. This program effectively replaces the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa scheme, established in 1990. While the EB-5 required investments of at least $1 million (or $800,000 in targeted areas) coupled with the creation of ten jobs, the Gold Card simplifies the process for investors with significantly greater capital.

The announcement coincides with statements regarding heightened international interest in trade negotiations with the U.S., suggesting a climate where countries are actively seeking to engage with the nation under revised terms. The impact of the Gold Card program on immigration patterns and the U.S. economy remains to be seen, but its arrival marks a significant shift in the landscape of investment-based immigration.