Donald Trump’s announcement of a new US “Gold Card” offering visa rights for a $5 million investment is poised to shake up the global cash-for-visa industry. The new scheme promises similar benefits to the traditional green card but with an eye-popping price tag, outpacing current investment-linked visa or citizenship programs in Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
The global market for investor visas has grown rapidly as wealthy individuals seek security, political stability, or new business opportunities outside their home countries. While these programs have been lucrative for host nations, they have also attracted criticism over potential security risks and money laundering concerns.
Trump’s Gold Card would grant individuals rights to live and work in the US in exchange for a significant financial contribution. The new program is set to compete with other international residency-by-investment programs, such as Portugal’s €500,000 visa and Malta’s €650,000 citizenship program. Trump’s initiative also replaces the existing EB-5 visa program, which has been operational since the 1990s, requiring a $800,000 investment.
However, the $5 million fee could prove less attractive than other programs that offer returns on investment, like the EB-5. Critics, including immigration lawyers, have expressed concerns over the scheme’s viability and its marketing focus. Despite this, the US market remains strong for those seeking both wealth creation and preservation, particularly in the context of global political uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the trend of citizenship-for-investment is gaining popularity in regions like the EU and the Caribbean, though it has been fraught with controversy, particularly with countries like Malta selling citizenship to individuals with questionable backgrounds.
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