With the announcement of the Trump Gold Card on September 19, 2025, wealthy immigrant investors now have an additional option to consider when seeking permanent residence in the United States. The newly announced Trump Gold Card (1 million dollars per applicant*) alongside the long-established EB-5 Immigrant Investment Program (minimum refundable investment of $800,000 per family) offers a performance-based immigration pathway supported by financial contributions.
Those considering these two options may want to evaluate how the immigration route they choose aligns with their financial situation, aspirations, and long-term asset-building plans in the U.S.
Consider the calculation for a family of three weighing their options:
The entry cost for the Gold Card (EB-1/EB-2) will be approximately 3 million dollars – a non-refundable expense in the form of a gift to the U.S. government.
The EB-5 Investment Immigration Program requires a one-time investment of $800,000** for each family (including the primary applicant, spouse, and eligible children under 21 who are unmarried).
After the project is completed and the mandatory “risk” period has been met, the new commercial enterprise (NCE) can return the investment to the investor.
The EB-5 pathway not only provides a route to obtain a U.S. green card but also has the potential to offer immigrant investors a financial foundation to start building a family in the U.S.
For example: After repaying the EB-5 capital, a family immigrating through investment of $800,000 into a market index fund could generate a 10% profit[1] based on the historical market average. The chart below illustrates a 10-year profit scenario for the aforementioned family of three, assuming the EB-5 profit in the fifth year and then reinvested into the market index fund:
The family hypothetically has the option to spend $3 million on a non-refundable gift or to potentially increase the $800,000 investment when repaid, creating a solid financial foundation for the family and generating an annual passive income from investments of up to $80,000. Setting aside the financial aspect, both options promise to deliver similar outcomes for the family of three: permanent residency in the United States for each of them.
Successful capital recovery in EB-5 investments begins with a thorough due diligence process and selecting the right Regional Center partner. As one of the most experienced Regional Centers in the EB-5 industry, CMB Regional Centers has a track record of helping thousands of families obtain permanent residency, demonstrated by a 100% project approval rate and over $1.4 billion repaid to investors.
