The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program continues to be a highly sought-after pathway for foreign investors seeking U.S. permanent residency. As of 2025, the program remains authorized through 2027, ensuring that all applications submitted before this date will be processed to completion, even if the law changes in the future. This is known as grandfathering, which guarantees that once an application is filed, it will be adjudicated under the rules in place at the time of submission.

Introduction of the “Gold Card” Visa: A New Alternative?

In February 2025, former President Donald Trump announced a new immigration initiative known as the “Gold Card” visa. This proposal suggests granting U.S. residency to wealthy foreign investors in exchange for a $5 million investment. The Gold Card visa is envisioned as an alternative to EB-5, which has a much lower investment threshold but requires proof of job creation for U.S. workers.

According to the Trump administration, the Gold Card is intended to simplify the process for affluent investors, eliminating certain requirements, such as proving that the investment leads to employment opportunities. The administration has argued that the existing EB-5 program has been vulnerable to fraud and inefficiency, making a more straightforward approach—like the Gold Card—a better option.

However, the introduction of the Gold Card visa has raised concerns among economic analysts and immigration experts. Critics argue that such a policy could contribute to rising real estate prices, as similar investment-based visas in other countries have led to increased housing demand and affordability issues. Additionally, the $5 million investment requirement might limit participation, making it a less effective program than EB-5, which has successfully brought in thousands of investors since its inception.

For now, the Gold Card visa remains a proposal, requiring approval from Congress before it can be implemented. Until then, EB-5 remains the most established and reliable option for investors looking to obtain U.S. permanent residency.

Advantages of Concurrent Filing: Forms I-526 and I-485

One of the biggest advantages of the EB-5 visa is the ability to file Form I-526 (Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor) and Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) at the same time. This is a significant benefit for investors who are already in the United States on valid non-immigrant visas, such as B-1/B-2 (tourist visa), F-1 (student visa), or H-1B (work visa).

How Concurrent Filing Works

Under previous immigration policies, EB-5 investors had to wait for their Form I-526 (which proves their eligibility for the EB-5 program) to be approved before they could file Form I-485 to adjust their immigration status. This meant that applicants had to either:

• Leave the U.S. and wait abroad for their green card processing to be completed, or
• Continuously maintain a valid non-immigrant visa status while waiting for their EB-5 petition approval.

However, under new rules, applicants can now file I-526 and I-485 at the same time, allowing them to remain legally in the United States throughout the processing period.

Additional Forms: I-765 and I-131

When investors file Form I-485, they can also submit two additional forms to improve their quality of life while waiting for their green card:

• Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) – Grants investors and their family members the right to work legally in the U.S. while their green card application is pending.
• Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) – Provides Advance Parole, allowing applicants to travel internationally without losing their pending green card status.

Key Benefits of Concurrent Filing

✔ Legal Residency in the U.S. – Investors and their families can stay in the United States while waiting for their EB-5 approval.
✔ Work Authorization – Allows the main applicant and dependents to get a work permit, making it easier to transition into life in the U.S.
✔ Travel Freedom – Advance Parole allows applicants to travel abroad without abandoning their pending adjustment of status.
✔ Faster Path to Residency – By eliminating the need to wait outside the U.S. for visa processing, investors can integrate into the country more quickly.

For many investors, this policy change makes the EB-5 process much more attractive, as it removes the uncertainty of waiting for approval abroad and allows applicants to continue their lives in the United States without interruption.

One of the most significant advantages of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is the ability for investors to qualify for a lower investment threshold if they choose to invest in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). Instead of the standard $1,050,000 investment requirement, applicants can secure EB-5 eligibility with an investment of only $800,000, making the program far more accessible to a broader range of investors.

Targeted Employment Areas are designated based on specific economic criteria. These areas fall into two primary categories:

1. Rural Areas – Locations that are outside of major metropolitan regions and have a lower population density. Investing in these areas helps stimulate economic growth in places that traditionally lack access to large-scale business development.
2. High Unemployment Regions – Areas where the unemployment rate is at least 150% of the national average. These regions often struggle with job scarcity, and EB-5 investments help create employment opportunities for local residents, ultimately boosting economic stability.

By investing in TEA-qualified projects, an investor can significantly reduce their financial commitment while still benefiting from the same green card eligibility as those who invest the full $1,050,000 in non-TEA areas. This makes EB-5 a far more attractive option compared to alternative programs, such as the proposed Gold Card visa, which suggests an investment requirement of $5 million—a significantly higher financial burden that could exclude many potential applicants.

Why TEA Investments Are Attractive

One of the biggest advantages of choosing a TEA investment is the substantially lower capital requirement. Instead of needing to allocate over a million dollars, investors can meet the EB-5 threshold with just $800,000, allowing them to retain additional capital for other business ventures, personal investments, or financial planning. This lower requirement makes the EB-5 program more competitive and financially accessible, especially for entrepreneurs and business professionals who may not have access to the significantly larger sums required for other visa options.

Moreover, despite the lower investment amount, TEA investors receive the same immigration benefits as those who invest in non-TEA projects. This means that regardless of whether an investor puts in $800,000 or $1,050,000, they still qualify for a U.S. green card under the EB-5 program, along with the benefits of permanent residency for their spouse and children under 21. Unlike other visa categories that impose different tiers of benefits based on investment amounts, the EB-5 program treats all investors equally once their application is approved.

Additionally, TEA investments play a crucial role in economic development. By channeling funds into areas that need financial revitalization, EB-5 investors contribute to job creation and business expansion in underserved communities. This not only benefits the investor by fulfilling the job creation requirement of the program but also provides long-term advantages for local economies, improving employment rates and fostering sustainable growth. Investing in TEA-designated projects is often encouraged by the U.S. government, as it aligns with national goals of reducing unemployment and stimulating economic activity in struggling regions.

A Practical and Cost-Effective Pathway

With a significantly lower capital requirement, equal immigration benefits, and the added advantage of supporting economic development, TEA investments offer one of the most practical and cost-effective options for obtaining a U.S. green card through investment. The EB-5 visa program remains one of the most attractive pathways for foreign investors, particularly those looking for an affordable yet secure way to establish permanent residency in the United States.

Compared to the Gold Card visa, which requires a $5 million investment, EB-5 remains the more accessible and reasonable choice for those who want to achieve U.S. permanent residency through investment without the burden of an excessively high financial commitment. With the added advantage of concurrent filing, employment authorization, and travel benefits, the EB-5 visa program continues to be one of the most effective and proven investor immigration programs available today.

Why EB-5 Remains the Best Choice in 2025

Despite ongoing discussions about new visa programs, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program continues to be the most reliable and cost-effective pathway for foreign investors seeking permanent residency in the United States. The program not only provides a direct route to a U.S. green card, but it also offers unique advantages that make it more accessible and practical compared to alternative investment-based immigration options.

One of the most significant benefits of EB-5 is the ability for investors to establish legal residency in the U.S. through the concurrent filing of Form I-526 and Form I-485. This means that eligible investors who are already in the country on a valid visa can submit both petitions simultaneously, allowing them to remain in the U.S. legally while their applications are being processed. This is a major advantage over other immigration programs, which often require investors to wait outside the U.S. for extended periods before being granted entry.

In addition to securing lawful status during the application process, EB-5 investors and their families gain employment authorization through the submission of Form I-765. This means that while waiting for their green card to be approved, investors, their spouses, and qualifying children can legally work in the United States, providing them with financial flexibility and allowing them to integrate into the U.S. workforce and economy more seamlessly. This feature is particularly valuable for those who wish to establish business ventures, explore career opportunities, or support their families while their applications are pending.

Another critical advantage of the EB-5 program is the travel flexibility it offers through Form I-131 (Advance Parole). With an approved advance parole document, EB-5 applicants can travel internationally without jeopardizing their immigration status. This is especially important for investors who need to manage business affairs in multiple countries or visit family abroad while waiting for their green card approval. Unlike many other visa categories that impose strict travel restrictions, the EB-5 program ensures that investors can maintain global mobility without fear of disrupting their immigration process.

Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of the EB-5 program is its lower investment threshold for projects located in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs). Investors can qualify for the program by committing $800,000 to a TEA-designated project, which is significantly more affordable than the $1,050,000 required for standard investments. These TEA zones, which include rural areas and regions with high unemployment, provide investors with a cost-effective way to participate in the program while simultaneously contributing to economic development in underprivileged communities. By creating jobs and fostering growth in these areas, EB-5 investors not only secure their own immigration benefits but also play a meaningful role in strengthening the U.S. economy.

Although the proposed Gold Card visa has gained attention as a potential alternative to EB-5, its future remains highly uncertain. The program has yet to be fully approved or implemented, and even if it becomes available, its $5 million investment requirement would make it significantly less accessible than EB-5. For many investors, committing such a large sum may not be financially viable, especially when a well-established and cost-effective alternative already exists.

For those who are seeking a clear, structured, and proven pathway to U.S. residency through investment, the EB-5 program remains the most attractive choice. With its legal residency benefits, work authorization, travel flexibility, and relatively low investment threshold, EB-5 continues to stand out as the superior option for investors who wish to secure a future in the United States.