In a major shift away from traditional employment and merit-based visa systems, the United States has unveiled a new immigration model built on financial contribution. Spearheaded under a presidential proclamation, the new framework introduces three immigration categories: the Gold Card, Corporate Gold Card, and Platinum Card.

Each option comes with significant gift requirements, beginning at US$1 million, and offers a range of immigration and tax advantages. Although the proposals are not yet fully operational, they indicate a dramatic change in how high-net-worth individuals and corporations may approach U.S. immigration in the near future.

What Is the Gold Card?

The Gold Card is intended for individuals prepared to make a US$1 million non-refundable gift to the U.S. Department of Commerce. In return, they are promised lawful permanent residence, most likely through the EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories, subject to eligibility and admissibility.

Applicants must also pay a US$15,000 vetting fee and pass security checks. The initial rollout includes 80,000 Gold Cards, with tens of thousands of individuals reportedly joining the waitlist within days of the announcement.

This card seems to be positioned as a fast-track route for wealthy individuals who are uninterested in employment-based or project-based immigration but are willing to contribute financially to gain status.

How the Corporate Gold Card Works

The Corporate Gold Card is targeted at multinational companies that regularly transfer employees across borders. Employers can obtain this card by making a US$2 million gift per employee, allowing them to assign or reassign the immigration benefit within their internal workforce.

Effectively, this could turn immigration into a corporate-held asset. Instead of filing fresh visa petitions for every staff transfer, companies could maintain a number of Gold Cards and distribute them according to internal staffing needs. The operational details are still unclear, especially around how this will interact with U.S. labour and immigration policies.

Platinum Card: Designed for Global Elites

The Platinum Card is the most exclusive of the three options. It requires a US$5 million gift and offers an unusually generous benefit: the ability to stay in the United States for up to 270 days per year without triggering U.S. tax residency on foreign-earned income.

This is designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals who wish to spend significant time in the U.S. for business, education, or lifestyle reasons, while keeping their primary tax residence elsewhere. However, this is likely to raise questions within the IRS and among tax professionals, as prolonged physical presence with non-resident status is a contentious area.

Timeline and Implementation

Federal agencies, including the Departments of Homeland Security and State, have been instructed to create application procedures within 90 days. So far, few legal specifics have been published.

Despite the lack of details, the response has been strong. Reports suggest that 69,000 people have already expressed interest in the Gold Card. The U.S. government has projected potential inflows of more than US$100 billion through these schemes.

There is debate on whether this initiative represents a bold innovation in immigration or simply a transactional path reserved for the ultra-wealthy.

What This Means for Global Investors

For affluent individuals seeking entry into the United States, these cards provide a different model from traditional pathways. Unlike the EB-5 Programme, there is no requirement to create jobs or invest in a business. Unlike H-1B, there is no lottery or employer involvement. And unlike EB-1A or EB-2 NIW, there is no need to prove exceptional ability or national interest.

Instead, the proposition is straightforward. Donate a significant amount and gain residence. Yet, this comes with several trade-offs:

• No legal entitlement to a visa without passing background checks
  
  
• No return on the financial gift
  
  
• Ambiguity over tax consequences
  
  
• Public policy risks and potential backlash
  
  

Why EB-5 Still Matters

While these new cards are gaining attention, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme remains a structured and effective route to U.S. permanent residency.

With a minimum investment of US$800,000 for rural projects, EB-5 allows investors to place capital in real economic initiatives that generate American jobs. This structure brings economic development, while also aligning investor interest with U.S. policy goals.

Importantly, EB-5 applicants can now file for adjustment of status concurrently, meaning they can stay in the U.S. and receive work authorisation and advance parole while waiting for petition approval. This is particularly attractive to students and professionals already living in the country under other visa categories.

EB-5 rural projects benefit from reserved visas and priority processing, making the route faster and more predictable than before.

Final Thoughts

The Gold, Corporate, and Platinum Cards represent a striking new direction in U.S. immigration strategy. Whether these ideas become a long-term fixture or face legal and political challenges, they are a signal that the landscape is changing.

For individuals and families looking for a reliable, transparent, and purpose-driven pathway, EB-5 continues to stand out. It offers permanent residency through job creation and economic participation, and remains the only true investment immigration programme currently approved by U.S. Congress.

Now is the time to explore options, compare strategies, and move forward with clarity.