Trump Gold Card Opens for Applications as CBP Moves to Tighten ESTA Screening
December 15, 2025 · EB-5 · 11 min read
On December 10, 2025, the Trump administration officially opened applications for the Trump Gold Card, a fast-track pathway to U.S. permanent residence in exchange for a non-refundable financial contribution. The same day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) moved to tighten screening of visa-free travelers, who must obtain travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before visiting the United States.
New screening rules for travelers entering the United States
Trump Gold Card cost: a non-refundable contribution
Applications for the Gold Card program opened on December 10, 2025. The payment is a non-refundable “contribution” to the U.S. government, set at the following levels:
- Individual applicants: a US$1 million contribution, plus a US$15,000 processing fee.
- Corporate sponsors: a US$2 million contribution for each sponsored employee, plus a 1% annual maintenance fee (US$20,000) and a 5% fee (US$100,000) to transfer the sponsorship to another employee.
At these levels, the contribution is effectively the cost of obtaining permanent residence; unlike traditional investment programs, there is no mechanism for return of capital.
Tighter entry rules: proposed ESTA social media requirements for visa-free travelers
Also on December 10, 2025, CBP proposed that ESTA applicants (including citizens of many EU countries, Australia, and Japan) be required to provide five years of social media history, the email addresses they have used over the past 10 years, and details of their family members in order to travel to the United States.
The proposal would make social media a mandatory data element of the ESTA application. As a result, travelers whose online history does not meet the new security standards would face a significantly higher risk of being refused travel authorization or entry — a major challenge for people who travel to the United States frequently but do not yet hold a green card.
These moves suggest that the United States is prioritizing entry for well-vetted individuals with substantial economic means over large numbers of tourists it sees as contributing little.
Trump Gold Card vs. EB-5: which is the better choice for investors?
Although the Trump Gold Card may, in theory, offer faster processing, immigration professionals consider EB-5 the more reliable and effective route for long-term immigration planning, for two key reasons:
Legal stability
- Trump Gold Card: created by executive order, it is more exposed to policy changes, legal challenges, or reversal by a future administration.
- The EB-5 program: established by legislation passed by Congress, giving it a statutory foundation that does not depend on executive action.
In addition, the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) includes a grandfathering provision: regional center petitions filed on or before September 30, 2026 will continue to be adjudicated even if the Regional Center Program later lapses or is not reauthorized. The Gold Card offers no comparable legal safeguard.
Financial efficiency
In financial terms, the Gold Card is a non-refundable cost of US$1 million to US$2 million per person. EB-5, by contrast, is fundamentally an investment of US$800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) project that covers the investor, their spouse, and eligible unmarried children, with the possibility of return of capital — although, under U.S. law, EB-5 capital must remain at risk.
At IMM Group, we apply a rigorous, in-depth project due diligence process to help protect investor capital. We favor projects with sound capital structures that serve not only the green card objective but also the prospect of capital repayment at the end of the investment cycle.
Why timing matters before 2027
Investors should pay particular attention to the EB-5 investment adjustment schedule set out in the statute. Under the RIA, enacted in 2022, minimum investment amounts will be adjusted automatically for inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), for petitions filed on or after January 1, 2027.
Given cumulative inflation, the TEA investment amount, currently US$800,000, is expected to increase at the next adjustment. The period between now and September 30, 2026 is therefore an important window to file, allowing investors to achieve two strategic objectives:
- Secure the current US$800,000 investment amount before the inflation adjustment takes effect.
- Qualify for protection under the grandfathering provision, adding legal certainty to your immigration pathway.
Explore the U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program in full
IMM Group: a long-standing partner for EB-5 investors
The global investment migration landscape is constantly shifting and increasingly complex. Investors need an advisory partner who not only helps them prepare a sound application but also gives their family peace of mind about the future. For the U.S. EB-5 investment immigration program, as for all of our global investment migration solutions, IMM Group acts as a strategic advisory partner, supporting you with experience and integrity.
As a pioneer with more than 21 years of hands-on experience in Vietnam, IMM Group does not act as a sales agent. We do more than advise — we design investment migration solutions built on:
- Rigorous due diligence and risk management: Having successfully handled hundreds of applications, including complex cases, we conduct multi-layered project due diligence and protect investors’ interests rigorously, including during periods of market stress.
- In-depth professional advice and full transparency: Every IMM Group consultant and case officer holds an investment migration certification from the Investment Migration Council (IMC). Our team provides a comprehensive analysis of benefits and risks so you can make decisions based on complete and accurate information. We put our clients’ long-term interests first.
- Integrity and commitment at every stage: Guided by our philosophy, “Serving with Authentic Values,” IMM Group commits to supporting you from the first step until you are settled. Integrity is our foundation, reflected in our readiness to protect client interests and to proactively refund service fees when risks beyond the client’s control arise (as set out in the contract).
- Receiving and giving back: Since 2025, IMM Group has operated as a nonprofit enterprise, committing at least 50% of its annual profits to the Be Better Fund. By choosing IMM Group, you also help hundreds of students facing exceptional hardship gain a chance to change their lives.
If you are considering a U.S. green card through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, contact IMM Group or leave your details below. Our experienced advisors will provide detailed guidance and help assess your petition’s likelihood of success. We will keep your personal data confidential and use the information you provide only to advise on your family’s case.
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