Yesterday, President Trump announced a new “Gold Card” program by executive order. The program would allow individuals to obtain immigrant visas by making an unrestricted financial gift to the U.S. Department of Commerce—$1 million for an individual or $2 million if made by a corporation. Unlike EB-5, the Gold Card is structured as a donation, not an investment tied to job creation.
The order directs the Departments of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security to design the program within 90 days, including application procedures, adjudication standards, and fee structures. Until those rules are issued, the Gold Card program cannot be implemented. Gold Card visas will come only from the EB-1 category, but the executive order directs agencies to treat the required gift as if it also meets the eligibility standards normally used for both EB-1 and EB-2 (including the national interest waiver). The order further asks agencies to study whether the Gold Card could someday be connected to EB-5, though that would require changes to current law.
EB-5 Remains in Effect
The EB-5 Program continues unchanged under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), which authorizes the program through September 30, 2027. Investor protections—including statutory grandfathering for petitions filed before September 30, 2026—remain firmly in place. Unlike the Gold Card, EB-5 is a congressionally authorized program that requires investments to create U.S. jobs, directly linking immigration benefits to economic growth.
Our Commitment
At CanAm, our priority is to provide clarity and reassurance to our investors and partners. Yesterday’s announcement does not impact EB-5 or the safeguards already established for EB-5 petitioners. We are monitoring developments closely and will continue to keep you informed—just as we have for more than 20 years.
Sincerely,
Your CanAm Team
