Trump’s $1 million Gold Card visa sees weak interest amid legal uncertainty over residency

rump’s $1 million Gold Card visa draws limited interest amid residency concerns

After US President Donald Trump opened applications for the $1 million “Gold Card” visa, the programme appears to be struggling to attract serious interest, particularly among Indian applicants, according to an Economic Times report.

Immigration experts cited in the report said the scheme’s vague framework, legal uncertainty, and lack of a clearly defined route to permanent residency or citizenship have dampened enthusiasm, even among wealthy Indians. Many lawyers are instead advising clients to opt for the long-established EB-5 investor visa programme.

“The instructions for the Gold Card are loosely worded, and there is no clearly defined pathway to permanent residency or citizenship,” said Keshav Singhania, Head – Private Client, Singhania & Co, as quoted by the Economic Times.

Poorvi Chothani, a leading immigration lawyer, said the programme has not generated any concrete interest so far. “We haven’t received a single query so far. And even if we do, we encourage clients to consider EB-5 instead,” she said. Chothani added, “You will get stuck in the EB-1 and EB-2 queues anyway. At this point, I don’t see this as an attractive option given the legal and practical uncertainties.”

Similar caution was echoed by US-based immigration firms. “We have seen significant inbound curiosity, particularly from high-net-worth individuals and global founders. However, this has translated into very limited concrete follow-through,” said Shilpa Malik, Managing Attorney at VisaLaw Nation. “We have not yet started processing any formal applications under the program.”

Malik noted that the potential audience for the Gold Card is extremely limited. “The most likely potential takers, at least in theory, would be ultra-high-net-worth individuals who value long-term U.S. access, optionality, and brand association more than immediate immigration outcomes. That said, this is a very narrow audience,” she explained.

In contrast, demand for the EB-5 investor visa remains robust, particularly from India and China, which together account for the majority of EB-5 applicants. The US issues 10,000 EB-5 visas each year, subject to a country cap of 7%, or 700 visas per country, including dependents.

What was Trump’s Gold Card visa?

US President Donald Trump unveiled the Gold Card visa this week, describing it as a high-value alternative to existing immigration routes and positioning it as a fast-track option for companies seeking to retain foreign graduates.

Calling it “somewhat like a green card, but with big advantages,” Trump said employers could “go to any school, buy a card, and keep that person in the United States.” The White House began accepting applications on Wednesday afternoon. The card costs $1 million for individuals and $2 million for corporate sponsors.

How is it different from the EB-5 visa?

The EB-5 investor visa programme, overseen by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, offers Green Cards to foreign nationals who invest in US commercial enterprises and create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers. Eligible investors, along with their spouses and unmarried children under 21, can apply for permanent residency.

Established by Congress in 1990, the EB-5 programme was designed to stimulate the US economy through foreign investment and job creation. While the Gold Card offers permanent legal residency in exchange for a flat $1 million fee, EB-5 applicants must meet specific investment and employment-generation requirements to qualify for US residence.