Trump Administration Overhauls EB-5 Program to Boost U.S. Economy and Pay Down Debt

The Trump administration is set to implement sweeping changes to the EB-5 visa program, aiming to transform it into a powerful economic tool that both strengthens the U.S. economy and contributes to paying down the national debt. Speaking on the initiative, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick outlined the administration’s vision for a revised program that prioritizes substantial investment and economic growth.

A Shift from $1 Million to $5 Million Investment Requirement

For years, the EB-5 visa program allowed foreign investors to obtain U.S. residency by investing $1 million into domestic projects. However, as Secretary Lutnick explained, the program suffered from inadequate oversight and failed to generate the intended economic benefits.

“The EB-5 program, which has been around for many years, often funneled investments into questionable projects with little oversight,” Lutnick stated. “For $1 million, investors were essentially purchasing a visa and securing a green card, but the economic impact was minimal. Now, under the Trump administration, we are creating a robust business model that ensures real investment and job creation.”

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Under the revised framework, foreign investors will be required to invest $5 million and obtain a license from the Department of Commerce. Lutnick emphasized that this model, developed in collaboration with business leaders, will ensure that funds are directed toward high-impact projects that foster economic growth.

“Christy and I are working on this together,” he noted. “We are modifying the EB-5 agreement so that it truly benefits America. If we sell 200,000 of these ‘gold green cards,’ that generates $1 trillion to help pay down our national debt. This is exactly how the Trump administration works—strategic, results-driven, and focused on making America stronger.”

Trump: The ‘Gold Card’ Will Attract the Best and Brightest

President Trump reinforced Lutnick’s comments, describing the program as a game-changer for both the economy and immigration policy.

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“Not all of these investors are going to be job builders, but they will be successful individuals—entrepreneurs, top graduates, and industry leaders,” Trump explained. “Right now, talented individuals graduate from our top universities, and when they can’t stay, they return to their home countries and create billion-dollar businesses elsewhere. With this plan, we ensure that they stay in the United States and contribute to our economy.”

Trump introduced the concept of the ‘Gold Card,’ a new type of residency pathway tied to the $5 million investment. Unlike the previous EB-5 model, which granted green cards without additional conditions, the Gold Card will provide investors with a clear path to U.S. citizenship while ensuring their economic contribution is significant and sustained.

“We’re calling it the Gold Card, and I think it’s going to be very treasured,” Trump said. “If we sell just a million of these, that’s $5 trillion in new investment. If we sell 10 million, that’s $50 trillion—more than enough to pay off our debt and create a surplus. No other country can offer this, because everyone wants to come to America—especially since November 5th.”

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A Transformative Economic Strategy

The administration’s proposed overhaul of the EB-5 program aligns with its broader economic strategy—leveraging private sector investment to drive national prosperity. By increasing the required investment threshold and introducing structured oversight, the new policy ensures that foreign capital directly benefits American industries and job markets.

While the full rollout of the initiative is expected in the coming weeks, the administration is optimistic that the new model will generate strong interest from investors worldwide. With significant potential revenue and long-term economic benefits, the revamped EB-5 program could mark a pivotal step toward balancing the federal budget and reinforcing the U.S. as the top destination for global talent and investment.

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