What Is a “Gold Card” and How Does It Compare to the EB-5 Visa?

In the global migration marketplace, “Golden Visas” or “Gold Cards” are fast-track residency or citizenship programs offered to wealthy investors by countries eager for foreign capital. These programs are now being scrutinized across the West—and for good reason.

The United States EB-5 Visa Program is often grouped in this category. Launched in 1990, the EB-5 allows foreign nationals to obtain a green card in exchange for a minimum $800,000 investment in a U.S. business that creates at least 10 American jobs. Over the decades, the EB-5 has brought billions of dollars into the U.S. economy, particularly in real estate, tech startups, and infrastructure projects.

So, what’s the difference between an EB-5 and other Gold Card programs?

EB-5 Visa (USA)

• Minimum Investment: $800,000–$1.05 million over 2 years

• Job Creation: Required (10+ jobs)

• Residency or Citizenship? U.S. Permanent Residency

• Geopolitical Risk: Increasingly concerning

Gold Card (Global)

• Minimum Investment: Ranges from $100,000 to $2 million

• Job Creation: Not always required

• Residency or Citizenship? Some offer full citizenship

• Geopolitical Risk: Often overlooked

National Security Blind Spot: Foreign Influence Through Investment Visas

Let’s talk real. While investment-based visas are legal and often economically beneficial, there’s a growing threat hiding in plain sight. Rich foreign nationals from China, Middle Eastern oil nations, and strategic adversaries are using EB-5 and similar programs to gain a legal foothold in the U.S. And they’re not stopping at visas. They're buying land near U.S. military bases—yes, right next to our critical defense infrastructure.

This isn't some conspiracy theory. In 2022, Chinese nationals with corporate ties to the CCP purchased land near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, raising alarms inside the Pentagon. Meanwhile, state officials from Texas to Florida have passed laws restricting land purchases near military installations for exactly this reason.

Here’s the danger:

• Access to Sensitive Infrastructure: These investors can monitor military movements, communication signals, and potentially compromise digital infrastructure.

• Legal Trojan Horse: Once granted a green card or citizenship, their legal status makes it harder for national security agencies to monitor or restrict activities.

• Economic Influence = Political Influence: Wealthy foreign actors can fund lobbying efforts, gain local influence, and manipulate policy through “legitimate” channels.

Why It Matters: We’re Not Just Selling Visas—We’re Selling National Leverage

The problem isn't immigration. It's unchecked access. The U.S. government is currently underutilizing tools in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to vet and screen EB-5 applicants more thoroughly.

Meanwhile, American farmers struggle, veterans go homeless, and small businesses collapse—yet foreign billionaires are buying their way into the system.

When you combine economic desperation, political gridlock, and legal loopholes, you create a perfect storm. One where America’s enemies don’t need to invade. They just need to invest.