EB-5 in the U.S.: Investment Green Card and Comparison with Trump Golden Card

The program continues to show steady growth:
•    over 6,000 applications filed through Regional Centers (+38% YoY) 
•    total investment volume reached $5.35 billion in 2025 
•    strong focus on TEA projects (rural and high-unemployment areas) 
Regional Centers remain the primary route due to lower risk and higher approval rates.

The EB-5 program is a structured and legally regulated pathway to U.S. permanent residence:
•    investment from $800,000 
•    funding projects that create jobs 
•    returnable investment model 
•    governed by U.S. law and Congress 
 

The Trump Golden Card introduces a different approach to obtaining U.S. residency:
•    non-refundable contribution from $1.000.000 
•    direct payment to the government 
•    no job creation requirement 
•    introduced via executive action rather than Congress, with a legal framework that remains unclear 
 

On January 21, 2026, the U.S. State Department suspended immigrant visa issuance for citizens of approximately 75 countries due to public benefits concerns, including Russia.

However, application processing continues.
Visas can still be obtained if the applicant is physically present in the U.S., and with the right strategy, the process remains viable.

If you do not hold a second passport, it is worth considering fast-track citizenship programs as part of your overall immigration strategy.

EB-5 remains a stable and proven solution, while the Trump Golden Card is a newer, potentially simpler but less predictable model. Choosing between them requires evaluating both entry conditions and long-term risks.

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