The Most Effective EB5 Visa Solution in the Context of Trump Launching Gold Card

The Trump administration has just announced the Trump Gold Card and Platinum Card proposal, creating a major wave of interest in the investor community seeking U.S. EB5 residency. Many people worry that the traditional EB5 Visa program will be replaced. However, with a solid legal foundation and clear roadmap, EB5 Visa remains the most optimal solution for obtaining a U.S. green card for the whole family at this time.

1. Background of Trump Gold Card and Platinum Card

September 19, 2025 marks an important event when the Trump administration signed an executive order proposing two new immigration programs aimed at attracting international investors. This move has raised many questions about the future of existing residency pathways.

The Trump Gold Card sets a requirement of contributing $1 million USD for individuals, or $2 million USD per person if a company sponsors employees. In return, participants will receive a green card immediately without having to go through a complex process.

Meanwhile, the Trump Platinum Card requires a contribution of up to $5 million dollars, offering extended residency privileges of up to 270 days per year along with global income tax exemption benefits – an attractive condition for wealthy investors.

The U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security have not yet issued an official review process for the Gold Card. It is estimated that within 90 days from the announcement date, around December 18, 2025, specific details will be clarified. The Trump Platinum Card is currently in the reservation stage and has not been officially issued.

Notably, both of these programs follow the “first come – first served” principle, creating time pressure for those who want to participate early.

2. Will EB5 Visa be replaced by Gold Card?

The most frequently asked question today is whether the traditional EB5 Visa will be completely replaced by these new programs. This concern is completely justified when the model shifts from investment creating jobs to direct “purchase.”

However, according to immigration experts, the possibility of EB5 Visa being eliminated is extremely low. The main reason lies in the legal nature of this program. A program that has been approved by Congress and operating for over three decades cannot be simply canceled by an executive order from the President.

To change or terminate EB5 Visa, it needs to go through a complex legislative process with Congressional participation. This includes discussion and voting in both the House and Senate, then signed into law. This process often takes many months, even years.

Moreover, the U.S. EB5 residency program has proven tremendous value in attracting foreign investment capital and creating tens of thousands of jobs for American workers. Suddenly “eliminating” this program would cause the administration to face serious legal challenges from investors and related parties.

3. The superior stability of the current EB5 Visa program

In the context where new proposals have many unclear points, the current EB5 Visa remains the most reliable choice for your family to obtain a U.S. green card.

3.1. Extended long-term until 2027

The U.S. EB5 residency program has officially received a 5-year extension from Congress, effective until September 30, 2027 under the Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA). This is a significant step forward compared to the previous situation when the program was only extended short-term year by year.

This stability brings great peace of mind to investors, giving them the necessary time to prepare applications without worrying about sudden changes. Investment amounts are maintained stable throughout this period, facilitating long-term financial planning.

3.2. Reasonable and clear investment amount

According to RIA 2022 regulations, EB5 Visa requires an investment amount from $800,000 USD for projects located in TEA areas, or $1,050,000 dollars for projects outside TEA. This figure is significantly lower than the Gold Card requirement.

The special point is that the program allows concurrent filing of I-526/I-526E and I-485 applications, significantly shortening the waiting time to receive a green card right in the U.S. This is an advantage that newly proposed programs cannot yet provide.

3.3. Large Visa quota

In 2025, the EB5 Visa program has over 18,000 visa slots allocated. Of these, 32% of the annual quota is reserved for projects in priority areas such as rural areas and high unemployment areas.

For Vietnamese investors, good news is that there is currently no backlog situation. Visas are available for eligible applications, making the process smoother.

3.4. Fast processing time

One of the outstanding advantages of U.S. EB5 residency is the application processing speed. The I-526/I-526E residency application is reviewed within an average timeframe of 8 to 12 months – an impressive figure compared to many other immigration programs.

The approval rate is always maintained at a high level above 94% for both types of applications: I-526/I-526E for conditional two-year green card and I-829 for conversion to permanent green card. This figure reflects the reliability and transparency of the program.

4. The Grandfathering protection shield

One of the most important points that makes EB5 Visa safe is the “Grandfathering” or non-retroactive mechanism stipulated in the RIA 2022 Act.

According to this principle, all I-526/I-526E residency applications filed before September 30, 2026 will be “protected.” These applications will continue to be processed under current policies even if the EB5 Visa program expires or is not extended after September 30, 2027.

For applications filed after September 30, 2026 but before September 30, 2027, although still valid, they may face certain risks. They may be suspended, denied, or have to face new regulations if the policy is not extended.

A similar situation occurred during the period from July 2021 to March 2022, causing thousands of applications to be stalled with major consequences for time, costs, and visa rights. Therefore, the Grandfathering mechanism acts as a protective shield, creating peace of mind for investors.

This regulation is especially meaningful in the context where Congress may not extend the program in 2027, or there may be major changes in law such as increasing investment amounts or extending approval times.

5. What should investors do?

With outstanding advantages, EB5 Visa is currently the optimal choice for those who want to settle in the U.S. However, to maximize this opportunity, investors need a very thorough preparation strategy.

5.1. Prepare legal financial documents

USCIS sets strict requirements for proving the lawful source of EB5 Visa investment funds. Investors need to provide documents such as tax returns, real estate purchase contracts, inheritance certificates, or other financial documents.

This is considered the most complex and time-consuming step in the process. Therefore, starting early and seeking support from reputable immigration consulting units is necessary to ensure applications meet the strict standards of the EB5 program.

5.2. Choose projects already approved I-956F

A U.S. EB5 residency project that has been inspected and approved by USCIS regarding capital structure and job creation capability will help the I-526E application have a much faster and safer chance of approval.

Assessing the safety and transparency of projects is an essential step. Connecting with reliable and reputable Regional Centers will help minimize risks from unclear or unfeasible projects.

5.3. File applications before September 30, 2026

This is the most important note for investors who want to participate in EB5 Visa. The possibility of the program adjusting investment amounts in the future is very high, so filing early helps you lock in the current investment amount.

Thanks to the Grandfathering mechanism, applications filed before this deadline will be guaranteed rights regardless of policy changes. Because visa quotas are limited annually, acting early also helps avoid potential backlog situations in the future.

If you are determined to pursue the EB5 gold card pathway, don’t hesitate. Act today to avoid unfavorable policy changes and shorten the waiting time to receive a U.S. green card.

6. Conclusion

Statements or proposals to replace the EB5 Visa program with Gold Card or Platinum Card at this time still have no binding legal value. Whether abolishing an old program or creating a new program, everything must go through a complex legislative process under Congressional authority. The President does not have unilateral power to implement these changes.

Looking at the entire U.S. investment immigration market landscape, the U.S. EB5 residency program still maintains a stable position against the wave of challenges from Gold Card and new proposals. With a solid legal foundation from the RIA 2022 Act, investors who have completed applications can be completely assured.

Newland USA, with a team of experienced experts and the motto “Stable settlement – Lifelong prosperity,” is ready to advise and support customers regarding information related to the EB5 investment program. Please contact Newland USA immediately via hotline 0785591988 or email: newsletter@newlandusa.asia for detailed and free consultation.

Learn more:

• What is Form I-829? Guide to Filing a Petition to Remove Conditions on 2-Year Green Card for EB5 Immigrant Investor Program
• The Optimal Choice for EB5 Investors to Manage a Green Card Investment Project
• Paying Taxes and What EB5 Investors Need to Know
• Is Native Language Proficiency a Mandatory Requirement for EB5 Investment?