U.S. President Donald Trump launched a new immigration initiative in February called the “Trump Card,” offering foreign nationals a pathway to U.S. residency in exchange for a $5 million investment. The program quickly drew attention, with reports indicating that over 68,000 people signed up within hours of its launch.
The Trump Card is being positioned as a premium alternative to the existing EB-5 investor visa, a longstanding program that grants U.S. green cards to those who invest at least $800,000 in job-creating American ventures. In contrast, the Trump Card promises what Trump described as “green card-like privileges” and a potential path to citizenship, though specific legal or regulatory details have not been disclosed.
In his social media announcement, Trump promoted the initiative with characteristic flair, writing, “FOR FIVE MILLION $DOLLARS, THE TRUMP CARD IS COMING!” He claimed that the program would offer wealthy investors a “beautiful road” to accessing “the Greatest Country and Market anywhere in the World.”
The digital version of the Trump Card reportedly features Trump’s image, his signature, the Statue of Liberty, a bald eagle, and the American flag. According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the final version of the card will be made of gold, reflecting what he described as Trump’s appreciation for luxurious design. While the details of the card remain vague, the concept appears aimed at attracting ultra-wealthy investors from around the globe, a move Trump suggests could bring both prestige and capital into the U.S.
This is 4x the cost of the previous EB-5 visa”
Meanwhile, a viral post on social media is now discussing if the gold card could stop the dream of many Indians. The post read, “This is 4x the cost of the previous EB-5 visa, and it’s clearly designed for ultra-rich investors. For most salaried Indians, even NRIs, this isn’t even remotely affordable. What’s worse, it might lead to more rich folks parking money in Indian real estate instead of migrating just to stay invested somewhere. Flat prices in cities like Mumbai and Bangalore are already ridiculous. If high-net-worth individuals are locked out of the US, they’re just going to pump more money into Indian properties, worsening affordability for everyone else. This policy doesn’t just affect migration. It has ripple effects on housing, investment flows, and urban life back home. Anyone here in real estate or on an EB-5 path?.”
A user noted, “The US dream for most Indian applicants? Seriously, why have a “US dream”. Make your own “Indian” dream and make your own country great.” Another said, “This is a non issue for most…. 90% of Indian H1Bs never even took advantage of EB5 when it was <1M Indians have always prioritized saving money, sending it back home or investing. They don’t like to pay for a green card.” “People who can spend $5M for a visa aren’t coming to take up your job. Rest easy,” said a netizen. “If I had 5 million dollars to invest, I’ll go back to India and retire,” noted a user.