2025 U.S. Gold Card Visa Buy U.S. Residency for HKD 40M? | M

Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the introduction of a brand-new "Gold Card" immigration visa, shaking the global immigration market. This visa, priced at up to $5 million (approximately HKD 38 million), attracts wealthy individuals worldwide to obtain U.S. permanent residency (green card) through investment and pave their way to U.S. citizenship.

What is the "Gold Card" Visa?

Trump formally announced this visa plan in the Oval Office, stating that the new "Gold Card" visa will replace the existing EB-5 investment immigration visa. He emphasized that this is a high-end immigration option aimed at the world’s wealthiest investors. Trump described, "This 'Gold Card' not only grants you U.S. permanent residency but also sets you on the path to becoming a U.S. citizen. Wealthy individuals can enter the U.S. by purchasing this card, contributing significantly to the economy, paying substantial taxes, and creating more jobs."

Compared to the EB-5 visa, the investment threshold for the "Gold Card" has been significantly raised to $5 million. In contrast, the current EB-5 visa has a minimum investment requirement of $900,000 (approximately HKD 6.9 million) and requires the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs (along with a processing time of 3 to 6 years). However, Trump and his team believe that the EB-5 program has been plagued by fraud and has become a "low-cost" immigration option that needs to be replaced by a new policy.

The processing time for the "Gold Card" visa is expected to be significantly shortened, and it will not require congressional approval; instead, it will be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This means that as long as wealthy individuals meet the criteria, they can quickly obtain U.S. permanent residency.

Who is Attracted by the "Gold Card"?

The high investment threshold of the "Gold Card" clearly targets the global elite. This policy aims to attract the wealthiest business leaders worldwide, whose funds can not only boost the U.S. economy but also generate tax revenue and job opportunities.

According to Trump, this visa does not require congressional approval but will have strict review standards to ensure that only qualifying wealthy individuals can successfully apply. The "Gold Card" is expected to officially go on sale within two weeks.

Global Competition in the Immigration Market

In fact, the U.S. is not the only country launching high-end investment immigration policies. According to immigration agencies, over 100 countries currently offer similar "Gold Card" visa programs. For example, several European countries like Portugal, Spain, and Greece provide investment immigration plans with relatively lower thresholds, attracting many wealthy Asians. In Portugal, for instance, residency can be obtained with an investment of about €250,000 (approximately HKD 2.1 million), making it significantly more attractive compared to the U.S.'s $5 million requirement.

However, as the global economic and technological center, the appeal of U.S. permanent residency is unparalleled. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, approximately 8,000 people obtained U.S. visas through investment in the year leading up to September 2022. With the introduction of the "Gold Card" program, this number may further increase.

Is HKD 40 Million Worth It?

For wealthy individuals who can afford such a high amount, HKD 40 million (or $5 million) may be just a small portion of their assets. However, for ordinary families, this is undoubtedly a staggering investment. The actual value of purchasing a "Gold Card" lies in the multiple benefits that come with U.S. permanent residency, including access to quality education for children, global mobility, and advantages in conducting business in the U.S. For wealthy individuals looking to expand their global business, this is a worthy investment.

Nonetheless, there are critics who argue that such policies will only exacerbate social inequality, turning the U.S. into a "playground for the rich." Additionally, the high threshold means that only a very small number of people can enjoy immigration benefits, which contradicts the original intent of the EB-5 program to promote economic development.

The launch of the "Gold Card" visa not only marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy but also reflects the global immigration market's trend towards elitism and high-end offerings. For the wealthy, this is a fast track to the U.S.; but for ordinary people, the "American Dream" seems increasingly out of reach. In an era of intensifying global competition, whether spending HKD 40 million to buy U.S. residency is worthwhile is a question that only those truly possessing wealth can answer.