The U.S. immigration system has historically provided pathways for workers of all types, from basic laborers to foreign investors and skilled professionals, to legally enter the country, with a traditional preference for those who can provide skills or funding lacking in the local market. There have always been specific types of visas available to foreign investors; the EB-5 visa program, for example, has enabled foreign individuals to gain U.S. residency by investing in American businesses and creating jobs. However, a new proposal, commonly called the Trump Gold Card, aims to augment or replace this system, shifting the focus from job creation to personal wealth.
With thousands of Gold Cards allegedly already sold in advance as of the time of writing this article, this shift could have significant consequences for both businesses that rely on skilled foreign professionals and those seeking entry to the US market, making it more difficult to recruit talent through traditional visa programs. Fortunately, alternative hiring solutions continue to provide companies with a faster and more flexible way to hire international employees in the US, bypassing immigration barriers and problematic delays.
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What Is the Trump Gold Card and How Will It Change U.S. Immigration?
President Donald Trump’s proposed “Gold Card” visa would grant residency and a simplified optional path to citizenship to foreign nationals who can pay a minimum $5 million investment.
The future of the EB-5 Visa is now uncertain, with the Trump administration suggesting that the Gold Card system would fully replace it at some point. Unlike the EB-5 visa program, which requires investors to invest a smaller amount and create a minimum amount of full-time U.S. jobs, the Gold Card would eliminate job creation requirements and focus solely on personal wealth.
Potential Policy Shifts in US Visas
The EB-5 visa has historically been tied to both economic growth and job creation. The Gold Card proposal, in contrast, would likely mean the prioritization of wealthy individuals over skilled professionals who may lack the required financial assets.
This policy change raises confusion for those currently in the EB-5 process and concerns for industries dependent on highly skilled foreign talent.
How Does the Gold Card Compare to Other Golden Visa Programs?
There are currently dozens of countries across multiple continents offering some form of Gold Visa program. Major economies, including the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia, have or had similar “golden visa” investor-oriented programs that offer residency or citizenship paths to high-net-worth individuals in exchange for substantial financial, property, or commercial investments.
Notable examples include:
- The U.K. investor visa (Tier 1) required a minimum investment of £2 million before it was suspended in 2022 due to concerns over money laundering. Instead, the current Investor-Founder Visa focuses solely on business viability and removes personal wealth factors.
- Spain and Portugal both notably offer golden visas granting temporary residency and simplified permanent residency with lower investment requirements, with options existing for investment between €500,000-€2 million in Spain or €250,000 in Portugal. Traditionally, these visas were available via real-estate purchases. However, Portugal recently removed the option to invest via real estate.
While this approach may attract wealthy individuals, historical Golden Visa programs have been controversial, with opponents arguing that they do little to address labor shortages in key industries and favor wealthy foreign citizens over those who would add to local economies long-term. Trump’s Gold Visa could, therefore, create hiring challenges for U.S. companies.
How the Trump Gold Card Could Make Hiring Foreign Talent More Difficult
For companies looking to recruit international professionals or break into the US market via investment, the Gold Card proposal could present several challenges, making it harder to expand locally by filling key roles in industries reliant on foreign expertise.
Prioritizing Wealth Over Skills
The Gold Card eliminates job creation requirements, meaning wealthy individuals can secure U.S. residency without investing in businesses that generate employment long-term. This policy shifts immigration away from skills-based hiring, making it harder for companies to open positions in the US or bring international employees to the US through traditional visa channels.
Increased Talent Shortages in Key Industries
Sectors such as technology, healthcare, and engineering rely heavily on highly skilled foreign professionals to address labor shortages. If U.S. immigration policy prioritizes wealth-based residency over employment-based visas, companies may struggle to find qualified candidates.
An Uncertain and Unstable Policy Landscape
U.S. immigration policies, like those in other countries, frequently change, often in response to shifting political leadership and economic conditions. A lot is still uncertain regarding how Trump’s Gold Card may function or how it may work in relation to existing visa systems. However, companies that rely on skilled foreign workers or are considering their next step toward expansion often cannot afford to wait for uncertain policies to stabilize.
A Smarter Alternative: Employer of Record (EOR) Services in the US
Rather than risk errors or costly delays waiting for complex immigration policies to take effect, companies can hire or transfer international talent in the US today through an Employer of Record (EOR) solution.
What Is an Employer of Record (EOR) in the US?
An EOR is a third-party organization that legally employs workers on behalf of a business, typically in a new market where the business doesn’t have a local company entity. Similar to a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) in the US, this allows businesses to hire skilled foreign professionals in the US without dealing with complex US visa law requirements, costs, delays, payroll systems, or compliance regulations.
How INS Global Helps Companies Hire Without Immigration Barriers
INS Global specializes in helping businesses expand worldwide and hire foreign professionals quickly and compliantly, with hiring and payroll solutions in all 50 states of the US. Instead of waiting months or even years for immigration approvals, by partnering with EOR like INS Global companies can onboard employees locally in days.
EOR vs. Gold Card: Why EOR Services Are the Better Hiring Solution
Using an EOR service is a more flexible, cost-effective, and efficient alternative to relying on traditional expansion methods like company incorporation or visa programs.
1. Faster Hiring Process
Work visas, including investor and employment-based visas, can take a long time to process.
With an EOR, companies can hire international professionals in the U.S. within weeks or even days, eliminating long immigration delays.
2. Lower Costs Compared to Investor Visas
The Gold Card requires a $5 million investment, while the EB-5 visa requires at least $800,000. Investor visa around the world typically come with a range of financial or commercial requirements that can put too much pressure on expansion projects.
Hiring through an EOR eliminates the need for large investments or fixed commercial goals, making global expansion more accessible to businesses of all sizes.
3. More Flexibility for International Hiring
Companies can hire professionals remotely or locally through an EOR without setting up a U.S. legal entity.
This is especially beneficial for businesses testing new markets before committing to full-scale expansion that requires entirely new structures, teams, or payroll systems.
4. Guaranteed Compliance with U.S. Labor Laws
An EOR handles payroll, taxes, benefits, and legal requirements through teams of experienced legal professionals, ensuring businesses stay compliant with federal and state labor laws at every step.
Future-Proof Your Hiring Strategy with INS Global
Trump’s Gold Card represents a major shift in U.S. immigration policy. For companies reliant on skilled foreign workers or those looking for new ways, waiting for these changes to unfold is not a viable strategy.
Instead of investing millions or waiting for policy updates, businesses can use an EOR to hire top international talent immediately—without visa roadblocks.
Why Choose INS Global?
INS Global is your one-stop-shop for tailored expansion solutions in 160+ countries including all 50 states in US. Since 2006, we’ve offered our expertise and experience to businesses of all sizes, at every stage of the expansion process. INS Global’s EOR in the US offers:
- A rapid hiring solution without visa delays
- No need for a U.S. legal entity to expand your business
- Full compliance with U.S. labor laws for international employees
- Access to global talent pools to fill critical roles
Contact INS Global today to learn how our EOR and other solutions can help you build a world-class workforce.
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