US Gold Card Visa Fuels Indian Rush for EB-5 Residency Route

US Gold Card Visa: “The Trump Card is Coming. Enter your information below to be notified the moment access opens.”

This message blazes across the new US government website, teasing the launch of the US Gold Card Visa, a $5 million investment-based residency program announced by President Donald Trump in February. But while the official details of this elite visa scheme remain under wraps, the announcement alone has already triggered ripple effects—especially among Indian high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).

As anticipation builds for the Gold Card Visa, there has been a parallel explosion in applications under the existing EB-5 Investor Program, which the Gold Card is expected to replace. Data from the American Immigrant Investor Alliance (AIIA) reveals that Indian interest in EB-5 visas has surged dramatically since April 2024, fueled by concerns over restrictive student and temporary work visa policies under the Trump administration.

In the first four months of fiscal year 2025 alone (October 2024–January 2025), Indian investors filed over 1,200 I-526E petitions across reserved EB-5 categories—exceeding annual records, according to Nicholas Mastroianni III, President and CMO of United States Immigration Fund (USIF).

US Gold Card Visa: Why Indians Are Choosing the EB-5 Route Now

The growing backlog in other immigration categories is a major driver. With more than 11 million US immigration applications pending, including H1-B and green card categories, Indian nationals are turning to the EB-5 visa as the fastest and most assured route to permanent US residency.

Between October 2024 and March 2025, 649 Indian nationals were granted EB-5 visas through consular processing—indicating that many applications from FY2022–23 have matured. Simultaneously, applications under the Adjustment of Status pathway are increasing among Indian students and professionals already living in the US on F-1 and H-1B visas.

“Indian nationals currently in the US who file under the revised EB-5 provisions now receive work and travel permits within 3–6 months of filing,” explained Sukanya Raman, Country Head at Davies & Associates, LLC.

Student Visas Decline, EB-5 Gains

Adding to the urgency, student visa issuance has plummeted. In the first half of FY2025 (October 2024–March 2025), global student visas fell by 15%, while India saw a staggering 43.5% drop, according to US State Department data. A near-month-long pause in appointments during May and June has only worsened projections for the rest of the year.

“Families are no longer gambling on traditional visa routes. They want permanence, predictability, and control,” said Mastroianni. “The US Gold Card Visa announcement may still be vague, but it’s already changing behaviour. People want in—now.”

US Gold Card Visa: Mumbai Leads Indian EB-5 Surge

India is now the third-largest source of EB-5 investors globally, after China and Vietnam. Most Indian applications stem from the Mumbai region, with 543 of the 638 consular EB-5 petitions filed between October 2024 and May 2025 routed through the US consulate in Mumbai.

According to Ravneit Kaur Brar, an immigration attorney based in California, “India has shown one of the most significant growth trajectories in EB-5 filings.” Between FY2022 and July 2024, India logged 1,341 I-526/E petitions, 1,057 of which were under the Reserved EB-5 categories.

Even more promising is India’s rising approval rate: from 59% in FY2022 to 82% in FY2024, highlighting growing success for Indian applicants.

EB-5 Timelines and Project Types

The time it takes to move from application to visa issuance varies depending on the project. Rural area investments typically take 8–24 months, while projects in High-Unemployment Areas may stretch from 12 to 30 months.

The EB-5 program, first launched in 1992, offers US green cards to investors who invest a minimum of $800,000 (approximately ₹6.88 crore) in targeted zones and create 10 full-time jobs. The scheme covers the investor, their spouse, and children under 21.

After its reform in 2022, EB-5 became more appealing, offering flexibility, faster processing, and increased transparency through stricter audits.

The Gold Card Effect: Uncertainty Breeds Action

Ironically, the US Gold Card Visa, though not yet launched, has catalyzed increased EB-5 activity. With its $5 million price tag, the Gold Card is expected to cater to ultra-wealthy individuals. In contrast, the EB-5 remains a relatively accessible option for India’s growing base of affluent families seeking global mobility.

“The Gold Card announcement triggered a wave of decisiveness,” said Mastroianni. “It’s not just about opportunity now—it’s about urgency. EB-5 is no longer the plan B. It’s the preferred strategy.”

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