USA Golden Visa: Your Path to American Residency Through Investment

Introduction

The United States has long been a destination of choice for immigrants seeking new opportunities, but obtaining permanent residency can be challenging without family connections or employment sponsorship. For those with financial means, however, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program—often referred to as the “USA Golden Visa”—offers a direct pathway to a green card through investment.

This program, established in 1990, allows foreign investors and their immediate families to obtain permanent residency by making a qualifying investment in a U.S. business venture that creates jobs for American workers. As immigration policies evolve, including recent proposals like the “Trump Gold Card,” understanding investment-based immigration options has never been more relevant.

This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about obtaining U.S. residency through investment, from program requirements to application processes and recent developments.

• When discussing the energy crisis and the role of hydrogen, link to authoritative sources or reports:
  • Example: “The world faces an intensifying energy crisis driven by long-term dependence on fossil resources International Energy Agency (IEA) Report.”
• For MXenes and their applications, link to foundational or review articles:
  • Example: “MXenes have emerged as particularly intriguing candidates due to their remarkable tunability and excellent electrical properties Review on MXenes.”

Methodology

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Results and Discussion

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  • Example: “The efficiency of the HER process is primarily determined by the strength of hydrogen binding to the catalyst surface, quantified by the Gibbs free energy change (ΔGH∗\Delta G_{\text{H}^*}ΔGH∗​) Nørskov et al., 2005.”
• For the d-band centre model, link to the original work by Hammer and Nørskov:
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Figures and Supplementary Information

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References

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  • “Gan, J., et al. (2020). Hydrogen evolution on MXenes: Insights from DFT calculations. Journal of Catalysis, 389, 1-10. DOI:10.1016/j.jcat.2020.06.001.”

What Is the USA Golden Visa?

While “Golden Visa” isn’t an official U.S. government term, it’s commonly used to describe the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. This program enables foreign nationals to obtain lawful permanent residency (a green card) by investing in the American economy.

The EB-5 program was created by Congress to stimulate economic growth through foreign capital investment and job creation. Under this program, investors who meet specific requirements can secure green cards for themselves, their spouses, and their unmarried children under 21 years of age.

The core requirements include:

• Making a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise
• Creating or preserving at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers
• Demonstrating that investment funds were obtained lawfully

The program allocates approximately 10,000 visas annually, with certain percentages reserved for investments in rural areas and areas with high unemployment rates.

Investment Requirements

The minimum investment amount for the EB-5 visa depends on where you invest:

• Standard investment: $1,050,000 in most areas

• Targeted Employment Area (TEA) investment: $800,000 in rural areas or areas with high unemployment (at least 150% of the national average)

These investment thresholds were adjusted under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, which reauthorized the program through September 2027.

Investors have two primary options for their EB-5 investment:

1. Direct Investment: Creating a new business or investing in an existing business directly, with hands-on management involvement

1. Regional Center Investment: Investing through USCIS-approved organizations that sponsor economic growth projects, often allowing for more passive investment and counting indirect job creation

All investments must be considered “at risk,” meaning there’s no guarantee of return. The investment must also create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers within two years of the investor’s admission to the United States as a conditional permanent resident.

The Application Process

Obtaining permanent residency through the EB-5 program involves several steps:

1. Filing Form I-526: The investor submits a petition demonstrating their investment and business plan.

1. Conditional Residency: Upon approval, the investor and eligible family members receive conditional green cards valid for two years.

1. Filing Form I-829: Before the conditional residency expires, the investor must prove they’ve fulfilled all requirements, including job creation.

1. Permanent Residency: If approved, conditions are removed, and permanent green cards are issued.

The processing time for EB-5 applications varies significantly, with current estimates ranging from 20 to 27 months for the initial I-526 petition. However, recent data shows expedited processing for rural projects, with some approvals in as little as 11 months.

Benefits for Investors and Their Families

The EB-5 program offers numerous advantages for investors and their families:

• Permanent residency: Live, work, and study anywhere in the United States

• No sponsor required: Unlike other visa categories, no employer or family sponsor is needed

• Educational opportunities: Access to U.S. educational institutions, often at lower tuition rates than international students

• Business opportunities: Freedom to pursue various business and investment ventures

• Pathway to citizenship: Eligibility to apply for U.S. citizenship after five years of permanent residency

For many investors, the educational opportunities for their children represent one of the most valuable aspects of the program. With a green card, students can attend prestigious U.S. universities as domestic students, potentially saving significantly on tuition costs.

The Trump Gold Card Proposal

In February 2025, President Donald Trump announced plans for a new “Gold Card” program aimed at wealthy foreign investors. This proposed program would:

• Replace the existing EB-5 program

• Require a $5 million investment (significantly higher than current EB-5 thresholds)

• Provide green card privileges and a pathway to citizenship

• Potentially generate substantial revenue to address the national deficit

According to Trump’s Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the new program would address perceived issues with the EB-5 program, which he described as “full of nonsense, make-believe and fraud.”

While details remain limited, the administration has indicated the program would launch within weeks, with thorough vetting to ensure applicants are “wonderful, world-class global citizens.” Unlike the job creation requirements of the EB-5 program, the Gold Card appears focused primarily on direct financial contribution to the U.S. government.

Comparing the USA Golden Visa to Other Countries

The United States is not alone in offering residency through investment. Many countries worldwide have similar programs, often with varying requirements and benefits:

• European options: Countries like Greece, Malta, and Italy offer residency through real estate investments starting around €250,000-€500,000

• Caribbean programs: Nations such as Dominica and St. Kitts offer citizenship (not just residency) for investments as low as $200,000-$300,000

• UAE Golden Visa: Offers 5-10 year residency for various investment categories, including real estate and business establishment

The U.S. program stands out for its clear pathway to citizenship and access to the world’s largest economy, though it typically requires a larger investment than many competing programs.

Challenges and Considerations

While the EB-5 program offers significant benefits, prospective investors should be aware of several challenges:

• Investment risk: The required investment must be “at risk” with no guarantee of return

• Processing delays: Backlogs can extend wait times, particularly for applicants from high-demand countries like China, India, and Vietnam

• Compliance complexity: Meeting and documenting job creation requirements can be challenging

• Due diligence importance: Selecting legitimate projects and regional centers requires careful research

• Tax implications: U.S. permanent residents are subject to worldwide income taxation

Additionally, the program has faced scrutiny over fraud concerns. In 2021, the U.S. Government Accountability Office identified significant fraud risks, particularly related to difficulties in tracing the origins of applicants’ funds.

Making an Informed Decision

For those considering the EB-5 program, thorough preparation is essential:

1. Consult with experts: Work with experienced immigration attorneys and financial advisors specializing in EB-5 investments

1. Conduct due diligence: Thoroughly research potential investment projects and regional centers

1. Verify source of funds: Ensure all investment capital is properly documented and legally obtained

1. Understand timeline expectations: Be prepared for a multi-year process from application to permanent residency

1. Consider alternatives: Evaluate other visa options that might better suit your circumstances

The decision to pursue an EB-5 visa represents a significant financial and life commitment. While the program offers a clear path to permanent residency, it requires careful planning and substantial investment.

Conclusion

The USA Golden Visa program offers a unique opportunity for foreign investors to obtain permanent residency through strategic investment in the American economy. Whether through the current EB-5 program or potential future options like the proposed Trump Gold Card, investment-based immigration continues to evolve as a pathway to the American dream.

For families with the financial means, these programs can provide access to educational opportunities, business ventures, and quality of life benefits that come with U.S. residency. However, success requires careful planning, thorough due diligence, and patience throughout the application process.

As with any major investment and immigration decision, prospective applicants should work with qualified professionals to navigate the complexities of these programs and determine the best approach for their specific circumstances.

When discussing future research directions, link to experimental studies or reviews that align with your findings:

• Example: “Future research should focus on experimental validation and scale-up strategies, as demonstrated in recent studies on MXene-based catalysts Experimental Study on MXenes.”

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