Henley & Partners Lauds EB-5 Visa Program Renewal as an Avenue for High-Net-Worth Individuals to Migrate to the United States.

Paragraph 1: Introduction of the US "Gold Card" Visa Proposal

In February 2025, US President Donald Trump proposed a "gold card" visa program, offering affluent investors a path to US citizenship in exchange for a $5 million investment. This initiative aimed to bolster the US’s competitive edge in the global investment migration market, attracting high-net-worth individuals seeking to contribute to the American economy. Henley & Partners, a leading international investment migration firm, welcomed the proposal, viewing it as a significant opportunity for wealthy individuals seeking US residency and eventual citizenship.

Paragraph 2: Henley & Partners’ Response and Recommendations

Henley & Partners CEO, Dr. Juerg Steffen, expressed enthusiasm for the potential of the gold card visa but emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity and clarity in investor immigration policies. He urged US authorities to ensure a stable transition that safeguards existing programs like the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. Steffen advised investors considering the EB-5 program to act promptly under the current regulations to secure their green card eligibility within the established framework. Henley & Partners reaffirmed its commitment to guiding investors through the evolving US immigration landscape and engaging with stakeholders to support economic growth while ensuring certainty for investors.

Paragraph 3: Growing Global Demand for Investment Migration and the US Opportunity

Henley & Partners reported a surge in demand for investment migration solutions, with clients from 94 countries and inquiries from over 180 nationalities in the preceding 12 months. Dominic Volek, Group Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, highlighted the gold card visa as a unique opportunity for high-net-worth individuals seeking US residency and citizenship. He noted the US’s dominance in private wealth creation, accounting for 32% of global liquid investable wealth and 37% of the world’s millionaires, aligning with the findings of Henley & Partners’ USA Wealth Report. Volek welcomed the US government’s progressive approach to offering citizenship via investment, viewing it as a strategic move to benefit both wealthy migrants and the American economy.

Paragraph 4: Navigating the Existing EB-5 Program and the Legislative Process

Volek encouraged investors considering the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program to act swiftly under the current rules, as their ability to obtain a green card would likely be protected under existing regulations. He emphasized that the gold card visa would require new legislation to pass through Congress, a process unlikely to be completed in the short term. The existing EB-5 program, bolstered by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), offered investors a degree of stability and certainty, making immediate action advisable for those seeking to secure their place within the current framework.

Paragraph 5: The Economic Benefits of Wealthy Migrants

Henley & Partners, with over 60 offices worldwide and a track record of raising over $15 billion in foreign direct investment, expressed its eagerness to collaborate with the US government to connect interested investors with the new gold card visa program. Dr. Steffen underscored the crucial role of attracting and retaining wealthy migrants for economic growth, emphasizing the benefits they bring beyond their personal wealth. These benefits include tax revenue, business creation, job generation, foreign exchange influx, increased stock market investment, and stimulation of high-value sectors like luxury retail, high-tech, and prime real estate. Many millionaire migrants are also entrepreneurs who launch new businesses and drive economic activity, contributing to the long-term prosperity of their new home countries.

Paragraph 6: Conclusion: A Win-Win for Investors and the US Economy

The proposed gold card visa program represents a potential win-win scenario for both high-net-worth individuals seeking US residency and citizenship and the American economy. While the new program holds promise, navigating the existing EB-5 program remains a viable and potentially more immediate pathway for eligible investors. The focus on attracting and retaining wealthy migrants through investment migration programs highlights the recognized economic benefits they contribute, including capital investment, job creation, and overall economic stimulation. Henley & Partners’ expertise and global reach position them to play a key role in facilitating these investment migration flows and shaping the future of global citizenship.