Trump Gold Card in 2026: Why Wealthy Investors Are Hesitant About the New U.S. Visa

The Trump administration has touted the “gold card” as a revolutionary path to U.S. residency for wealthy investors, but the actual interest in the program has been much lower than expected. Find out why immigration lawyers are criticizing the new initiative, what risks investors see, and whether the “Trump Gold Card” could become an alternative to the EB-5 visa in 2026

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The idea of ​​selling the right to reside in the US to wealthy foreigners sounded like an ambitious political and economic project. Donald Trump's administration presented the "Trump Gold Card" program as a quick and prestigious path to an American green card for investors willing to invest millions of dollars in the country.

However, by 2026 it became clear: the reality was much more complicated. Despite the White House's loud statements about the huge demand and potential billions in revenue to the US budget, the program faced legal disputes, criticism from immigration lawyers and caution from investors themselves.

Why Trump's Gold Card did not meet expectations and what prospects for expats in the US we tell in this article.

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What is Trump's "Gold card"?

The Trump Gold Card program was officially launched at the end of 2025 as a new mechanism for legal immigration for very wealthy people. According to the administration’s plan, a foreigner was to receive an accelerated path to a residence permit in the United States in exchange for a large financial contribution.

Initially, public statements stated an amount of $5 million, but documents and practical implementation contained other figures. The basic condition was the contribution of $1 million to the US budget, as well as the payment of a non-refundable administrative fee of $15,000.

The program was presented as an alternative or even a future replacement for the classic EB-5 investor visa, which has existed since 1990. This is where the main problem arose: unlike EB-5, the new “golden card” was not separately approved by the US Congress.

We tell you about how life in the US is organized and the key differences from Ukraine at the link.

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Why didn’t the Trump Gold Card program meet expectations?

According to court documents from the US Department of Homeland Security, the program attracted only 338 applicants in its first months of operation, Newsweek reports. Of these, only 165 people actually paid the fee and moved on to the next stage of verification.

For a project that was presented as a “new global magnet for the world’s rich,” this was a rather modest result. There are several reasons for such a restrained reaction.

Legal uncertainty

It is the unstable legal status of the program that scares investors the most. US immigration law is traditionally formed by Congress, but the “golden card” was actually created through the executive mechanisms of the Trump administration.

Lawyers directly warn clients: the program can be changed, blocked in the courts, or even completely canceled after a political change of power. Because of this, many wealthy applicants choose more predictable and proven immigration tools.

Lawyers advise against taking risks

The Washington Post writes that the reaction of American immigration lawyers who work with large investors was particularly telling. Some of them openly stated that they do not recommend their clients to participate in the program. Among the critics are even lawyers who previously worked with the Trump family and represented very influential clients in the United States.

The main argument of the professional community is simple - the investor is actually paying a lot of money for a mechanism that does not have a sufficiently clear legislative basis. For wealthy people, the issue of immigration is not only the right to reside, but also tax planning, asset protection, access to the banking system, stability for the family and long-term guarantees. Namely, the guarantees in the “Trump Gold Card” are currently lacking.

All proven ways for legal migration of Ukrainians to the United States in 2026 in this article.

What makes EB-5 more reliable for foreigners?

Against the background of the new program, the classic EB-5 visa remains a safer option for many. EB-5 involves investments in business projects that create jobs in the United States and has existed for over 30 years. Its rules are clear, and the program itself is enshrined in law.

Immigration lawyers in 2026 often draw the attention of clients to several key differences between EB-5 and the “Trump Gold Card”:

1. EB-5 is regulated by US law, while the “gold card” is still based mainly on the executive mechanisms of the Trump administration.

2. The EB-5 program has an established practice of considering applications and clear requirements for investors.

3. The “Trump Gold Card” has already become the subject of litigation and political discussions.

4. In the case of EB-5, investments are directed to business and job creation, while the “gold card” involves a direct contribution to the state.

5. EB-5 rules are considered more stable in the long term.

6. Many lawyers warn that the terms of the “Trump Gold Card” may change after political changes in the US.

As a result, even wealthy investors who are initially interested in the new program often return to the proven EB-5 model.

Details about the package of documents for migration to the US, as well as useful tips for passing a visa interview and medical examination in this article.

Global investors are looking not only at the US

Another trend of 2026 is global diversification of residence and assets. Even very wealthy people are increasingly concentrating their entire lives and businesses in one country. Among the popular alternatives to the US, the following are now actively mentioned:

- Singapore;

- Indonesia;

- United Arab Emirates;

- Portugal;

- Italy.

The reasons are obvious: stable tax regimes, clear rules for investors and a more predictable immigration policy. In addition, in many countries in Europe and Asia, “residency by investment” programs have long been operating in the legislative field and do not cause so many disputes.

Usual financial centers are losing ground due to global instability. Smart money is migrating to places where there are no geopolitical risks. Read here why Indonesia will confidently beat Dubai in the battle for investors in 2026.

Does the “Trump Gold Card” have a future?

Despite the criticism, it is too early to completely write off the program. The United States remains the largest center of global capital, and the American passport is one of the most attractive in the world.

If the administration can resolve legal issues, gain support from Congress, make the procedure more transparent and provide real guarantees to investors, interest in the program may increase.

However, as of 2026, the “golden card” looks more like a political experiment than a full-fledged stable immigration program.

The situation around the “Trump Gold Card” has shown that even high-profile immigration programs can have legal risks and hidden nuances. That is why it is important to get professional support before moving, investing or applying for a visa.

A migration lawyer will help you assess the real prospects of the program, properly prepare documents, avoid financial losses and choose the safest path to legalization in the USA, EU or other countries. This is especially important for Ukrainians who plan to move for business, study, work or investment.

Professional consultation is an opportunity to understand the risks in advance and make decisions with confidence. Contact a migration lawyer to go through the immigration process without unnecessary mistakes and stress.

Let us remind you! The recent geopolitical upheavals have forever changed the rules of investing and choosing a place to live. We have already told you which safe countries in the world remain reliable "concrete safes" for preserving capital and where it is best to wait out global turbulence.

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