US Green Card by Investment | EB-5 and Gold Card Options for Middle Eastern Investors

Investment-based immigration continues to gain momentum among high-net-worth individuals seeking greater global mobility, long-term security and expanded business opportunities, particularly for individuals from the Middle East and their families. Rather than relying on employer sponsorship, these pathways offer flexibility, self-sponsorship and alignment with broader wealth, education and succession planning goals.  

Below is an overview of the most relevant US pathways to permanent residency, including the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and the Trump Administration’s new Gold Card Program, now live. 

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program: A Direct Route to Permanent Residence 

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program remains one of the fastest and most straightforward investment-based options for Middle Eastern investors seeking US permanent residence. The program allows investors to contribute to US job creation, even indirectly, while obtaining a green card. This dual benefit aligns with both immigration and economic objectives. 

Most investors participate through the EB-5 Regional Center Program, which allows capital to be invested in government-approved projects. When investors place funds in a targeted employment area, the minimum investment amount is $800,000. This investment must create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers, benefiting both the investor and the US economy. In addition, the government filing fee recently dropped to $3,675 from $11,160. 
 
From a processing perspective, visa availability for EB-5 has historically been favorable for nationals of many Middle Eastern countries, allowing eligible applicants already in the US to file adjustment of status applications concurrently when visa numbers are available. This provides faster access to work authorization and travel flexibility while the green card application is pending. 

The Trump Gold Card Program: A Premium Fast-Track Initiative 

In September 2025, the Trump Administration announced a new “Gold Card” initiative designed to attract high-net-worth foreign nationals through an expedited path to US permanent residence. The program’s application site is now live, and applicants begin the process by registering as a foreign investor and paying the $15,000 government processing fee, per applicant. 
 
While not an investment-based option in the traditional sense, the Gold Card functions as a premium, fast-track mechanism that relies on an applicant’s ability to provide a contribution of $1 million to the United States per individual.  Successful applicants receive lawful permanent resident status through existing immigrant visa categories (EB-1 or EB-2), assuming the individual is eligible, admissible and a visa number is available. 

Further, companies can apply on behalf of individuals by donating $2 million, with the additional flexibility of changing the designated foreign investor-recipient, if desired. 
 
Practical considerations are important. Because the Gold Card is newly launched, applicants and advisors are closely monitoring how eligibility standards, adjudication practices and timing will operate in practice, including how the process interfaces with established statutory immigrant visa frameworks and country-based visa availability. Interested applicants should consult closely with their legal advisors to understand the inherent risk associated with the absence of statutory authority and the lack of prior case processing. In addition, the source of funds is likely to be analyzed in depth by the government, requiring detailed documentation and a clear explanation of the origin and movement of assets, making early and careful preparation critical. 

For many investors, EB-5 may remain the more predictable option when the primary objective is a clearly defined investment-to-green-card pathway, while the Gold Card may appeal to those seeking a premium, expedited process and who can meet the program’s stated requirements. 

Why are these pathways so Appealing for Middle Eastern investors? 

Several factors make these programs particularly attractive to Middle Eastern investors: 

• • • Lifestyle Opportunities:  Many Middle Eastern investors want a second residency for themselves and their families to provide education and job opportunities for their children and facilitate easier travel once a US passport is secured. Currently, US passport holders can travel to more than 150 countries without a visa or with a visa on arrival, opening a wide range of additional opportunities.   

• • • Fast Processing and Lack of Visa Backlogs: Unlike many other nationalities, Middle Eastern nationals currently enjoy a lack of visa backlogs in the EB-5 category, meaning green cards are immediately available for qualified applicants. This is likely to be the case under the Gold Card, compared with employment-based categories like EB-2 and EB-3, which often involve long wait times and complex labor certification processes.  

• • • Simplicity of Fund Transfers: Most Middle Eastern investors can transfer funds without any major hurdles. Unlike some countries that impose strict limitations on outbound capital, most Middle Eastern countries generally allow international wire transfers without significant restrictions. That said, certain investors may require additional clearances depending on their nationality, and additional documentation may be needed to demonstrate the source of funds, particularly in free-trade zones. For this reason, investors benefit from working with a lawyer who understands local rules and can help navigate them to ensure a smooth process.  

• • • Flexibility of self-sponsorship: One of the strongest advantages of both the EB-5 and Gold Card programs is self-sponsorship. Investors do not need a US employer, job offer or labor certification. For investors with diverse business interests or those who prefer not to be tied to a single employer, this independence is a key benefit. 

Each investment-based pathway serves a different objective. EB-5 is best suited for investors seeking permanent residence and long-term stability, often through a more passive investment structure.  
 
The Gold Card adds a new option to the landscape and may be relevant for certain high-net-worth individuals, depending on how the program is implemented and how it aligns with existing immigrant visa eligibility and availability. 

Final Thoughts 

Investment-based immigration provides a powerful alternative to traditional employment-sponsored pathways. With careful planning, proper structuring and experienced legal guidance, eligible investors can align their capital with their long-term residence, business and family goals in the United States. 

Need to Know More? 

For questions related to the EB-5 or Gold Card, or to initiate an application, please contact Partners Isha Atassi at [email protected] or Rahul Soni at [email protected].  

This blog was published on December 29, 2025, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.