Latest news with #YearbookofImmigrationStatistics
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can a 'gold card' program visa spur investment in the U.S. economy?
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is planning a 'gold card' visa with a potential pathway to U.S. citizenship for $5 million. The program would replace an existing program that offers U.S. visas to investors who spend about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people. And it echoes similar 'golden visa ' programs in countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Malta and others that have allowed participants to pay a fee or make an investment in order to secure a pathway to residency in desirable places. 'Golden visa' programs all have different frameworks and paths to permanent residency and have had mixed results in spurring investment in a country's economy. Who will qualify for a 'gold card'? Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said Trump's gold card would replace an existing program in two weeks, so details about who would qualify and what the application process would look like should be available before then. For now, all Trump has said is they will cost $5 million. Of recipients, he said, 'They'll be wealthy and they'll be successful and they'll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people, and we think it's going to be extremely successful.' He added that companies, not just individuals, ' will be able to buy gold cards. ' What does the U.S. already offer? Congress created a program called EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program in 1990 to create jobs and encourage foreign investment. Under that program, investors who spent about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people can qualify for a visa and a pathway to permanent residency. About 8,000 people obtained investor visas in the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2022, according to the Homeland Security Department's most recent Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. What do other countries offer? Henley & Partners, which advises both governments and people on residence or citizenship by investment programs, says more than 100 countries around the world offer or have offered 'golden visas' to wealthy individuals and investors. That list includes the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Malta, Australia, Canada and Italy, although some countries have tightened their restrictions or ended programs. Under different programs in different countries, requirements include buying a house, making a financial investment or creating a certain number of jobs. Basil Mohr-Elzeki, managing partner Henley & Partners North America, said the programs often help countries meet investment goals. But they don't always last. Spain's government scrapped its program to allow people from outside the European Union to obtain residency permits if they invested more than half a million euros ($520,000) in real estate. The program was criticized for causing soaring housing prices. The U.K. ended its program in 2022 over security concerns. Will Trump's 'gold visa' program be effective in spurring U.S. investment? Mohr-Elzeki of Henley & Partners said despite the high price tag, there may be an appetite for the program, but it remains to be seen what the parameters are. 'We don't have that much information aside from the investment threshold and the intention,' he said. But generally these kind of programs can help countries meet investment goals, depending on the goal, he said. 'We do think that there will be significant demand in this program,' he said. 'We are just waiting on on the details of what frameworks that they're going to be outlining.' The key to whether it will be a success or not will less likely be the $5 million investment threshold and more to do with the process. 'Typically speaking, the lower the residency requirements, the more popular the program as those wealthy individuals globally, they like options,' he said. 'So they may be investing in the United States, but they may invest elsewhere as well — to have access to live in the States, access to live in Europe, access to live in the UAE. So all of these come into play. ' What comes next? If the new program replaces the existing EB-5 program in two weeks, there are questions over what will happen to people in the existing program. Typically those people get grandfathered in to the new program but there's a possibility they might not be, said Mohr-Elzeki. In 2022, Congress extended the EB-5 program until 2027, so Congressional action would be needed to change it. But Trump has said gold cards won't require Congressional approval. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can a 'gold card' program visa spur investment in the U.S. economy?
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is planning a 'gold card' visa with a potential pathway to U.S. citizenship for $5 million. The program would replace an existing program that offers U.S. visas to investors who spend about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people. And it echoes similar 'golden visa ' programs in countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Malta and others that have allowed participants to pay a fee or make an investment in order to secure a pathway to residency in desirable places. 'Golden visa' programs all have different frameworks and paths to permanent residency and have had mixed results in spurring investment in a country's economy. Who will qualify for a 'gold card'? Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said Trump's gold card would replace an existing program in two weeks, so details about who would qualify and what the application process would look like should be available before then. For now, all Trump has said is they will cost $5 million. Of recipients, he said, 'They'll be wealthy and they'll be successful and they'll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people, and we think it's going to be extremely successful.' He added that companies, not just individuals, ' will be able to buy gold cards. ' What does the U.S. already offer? Congress created a program called EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program in 1990 to create jobs and encourage foreign investment. Under that program, investors who spent about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people can qualify for a visa and a pathway to permanent residency. About 8,000 people obtained investor visas in the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2022, according to the Homeland Security Department's most recent Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. What do other countries offer? Henley & Partners, which advises both governments and people on residence or citizenship by investment programs, says more than 100 countries around the world offer or have offered 'golden visas' to wealthy individuals and investors. That list includes the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Malta, Australia, Canada and Italy, although some countries have tightened their restrictions or ended programs. Under different programs in different countries, requirements include buying a house, making a financial investment or creating a certain number of jobs. Basil Mohr-Elzeki, managing partner Henley & Partners North America, said the programs often help countries meet investment goals. But they don't always last. Spain's government scrapped its program to allow people from outside the European Union to obtain residency permits if they invested more than half a million euros ($520,000) in real estate. The program was criticized for causing soaring housing prices. The U.K. ended its program in 2022 over security concerns. Will Trump's 'gold visa' program be e ffective in spurring U.S. investment? Mohr-Elzeki of Henley & Partners said despite the high price tag, there may be an appetite for the program, but it remains to be seen what the parameters are. 'We don't have that much information aside from the investment threshold and the intention,' he said. But generally these kind of programs can help countries meet investment goals, depending on the goal, he said. 'We do think that there will be significant demand in this program,' he said. 'We are just waiting on on the details of what frameworks that they're going to be outlining.' The key to whether it will be a success or not will less likely be the $5 million investment threshold and more to do with the process. 'Typically speaking, the lower the residency requirements, the more popular the program as those wealthy individuals globally, they like options,' he said. 'So they may be investing in the United States, but they may invest elsewhere as well — to have access to live in the States, access to live in Europe, access to live in the UAE. So all of these come into play. ' What comes next? If the new program replaces the existing EB-5 program in two weeks, there are questions over what will happen to people in the existing program. Typically those people get grandfathered in to the new program but there's a possibility they might not be, said Mohr-Elzeki. In 2022, Congress extended the EB-5 program until 2027, so Congressional action would be needed to change it. But Trump has said gold cards won't require Congressional approval.
The Hill
27-02-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Can a ‘gold card' program visa spur investment in the U.S. economy?
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is planning a 'gold card' visa with a potential pathway to U.S. citizenship for $5 million. The program would replace an existing program that offers U.S. visas to investors who spend about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people. And it echoes similar 'golden visa ' programs in countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Malta and others that have allowed participants to pay a fee or make an investment in order to secure a pathway to residency in desirable places. 'Golden visa' programs all have different frameworks and paths to permanent residency and have had mixed results in spurring investment in a country's economy. Who will qualify for a 'gold card'? Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said Trump's gold card would replace an existing program in two weeks, so details about who would qualify and what the application process would look like should be available before then. For now, all Trump has said is they will cost $5 million. Of recipients, he said, 'They'll be wealthy and they'll be successful and they'll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people, and we think it's going to be extremely successful.' He added that companies, not just individuals, ' will be able to buy gold cards. ' What does the U.S. already offer? Congress created a program called EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program in 1990 to create jobs and encourage foreign investment. Under that program, investors who spent about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people can qualify for a visa and a pathway to permanent residency. About 8,000 people obtained investor visas in the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2022, according to the Homeland Security Department's most recent Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. What do other countries offer? Henley & Partners, which advises both governments and people on residence or citizenship by investment programs, says more than 100 countries around the world offer or have offered 'golden visas' to wealthy individuals and investors. That list includes the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Malta, Australia, Canada and Italy, although some countries have tightened their restrictions or ended programs. Under different programs in different countries, requirements include buying a house, making a financial investment or creating a certain number of jobs. Basil Mohr-Elzeki, managing partner Henley & Partners North America, said the programs often help countries meet investment goals. But they don't always last. Spain's government scrapped its program to allow people from outside the European Union to obtain residency permits if they invested more than half a million euros ($520,000) in real estate. The program was criticized for causing soaring housing prices. The U.K. ended its program in 2022 over security concerns. Will Trump's 'gold visa' program be e ffective in spurring U.S. investment? Mohr-Elzeki of Henley & Partners said despite the high price tag, there may be an appetite for the program, but it remains to be seen what the parameters are. 'We don't have that much information aside from the investment threshold and the intention,' he said. But generally these kind of programs can help countries meet investment goals, depending on the goal, he said. 'We do think that there will be significant demand in this program,' he said. 'We are just waiting on on the details of what frameworks that they're going to be outlining.' The key to whether it will be a success or not will less likely be the $5 million investment threshold and more to do with the process. 'Typically speaking, the lower the residency requirements, the more popular the program as those wealthy individuals globally, they like options,' he said. 'So they may be investing in the United States, but they may invest elsewhere as well — to have access to live in the States, access to live in Europe, access to live in the UAE. So all of these come into play. ' What comes next? If the new program replaces the existing EB-5 program in two weeks, there are questions over what will happen to people in the existing program. Typically those people get grandfathered in to the new program but there's a possibility they might not be, said Mohr-Elzeki. In 2022, Congress extended the EB-5 program until 2027, so Congressional action would be needed to change it. But Trump has said gold cards won't require Congressional approval.
Associated Press
27-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Can a ‘gold card' program visa spur investment in the U.S. economy?
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is planning a 'gold card' visa with a potential pathway to U.S. citizenship for $5 million. The program would replace an existing program that offers U.S. visas to investors who spend about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people. And it echoes similar 'golden visa ' programs in countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Malta and others that have allowed participants to pay a fee or make an investment in order to secure a pathway to residency in desirable places. 'Golden visa' programs all have different frameworks and paths to permanent residency and have had mixed results in spurring investment in a country's economy. Who will qualify for a 'gold card'? Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said Trump's gold card would replace an existing program in two weeks, so details about who would qualify and what the application process would look like should be available before then. For now, all Trump has said is they will cost $5 million. Of recipients, he said, 'They'll be wealthy and they'll be successful and they'll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people, and we think it's going to be extremely successful.' What does the U.S. already offer? Congress created a program called EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program in 1990 to create jobs and encourage foreign investment. Under that program, investors who spent about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people can qualify for a visa and a pathway to permanent residency. About 8,000 people obtained investor visas in the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2022, according to the Homeland Security Department's most recent Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. What do other countries offer? Henley & Partners, which advises both governments and people on residence or citizenship by investment programs, says more than 100 countries around the world offer or have offered 'golden visas' to wealthy individuals and investors. That list includes the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Malta, Australia, Canada and Italy, although some countries have tightened their restrictions or ended programs. Under different programs in different countries, requirements include buying a house, making a financial investment or creating a certain number of jobs. Basil Mohr-Elzeki, managing partner Henley & Partners North America, said the programs often help countries meet investment goals. But they don't always last. Spain's government scrapped its program to allow people from outside the European Union to obtain residency permits if they invested more than half a million euros ($520,000) in real estate. The program was criticized for causing soaring housing prices. The U.K. ended its program in 2022 over security concerns. Will Trump's 'gold visa' program be e ffective in spurring U.S. investment? Mohr-Elzeki of Henley & Partners said despite the high price tag, there may be an appetite for the program, but it remains to be seen what the parameters are. 'We don't have that much information aside from the investment threshold and the intention,' he said. But generally these kind of programs can help countries meet investment goals, depending on the goal, he said. 'We do think that there will be significant demand in this program,' he said. 'We are just waiting on on the details of what frameworks that they're going to be outlining.' The key to whether it will be a success or not will less likely be the $5 million investment threshold and more to do with the process. 'Typically speaking, the lower the residency requirements, the more popular the program as those wealthy individuals globally, they like options,' he said. 'So they may be investing in the United States, but they may invest elsewhere as well — to have access to live in the States, access to live in Europe, access to live in the UAE. So all of these come into play. ' What comes next? If the new program replaces the existing EB-5 program in two weeks, there are questions over what will happen to people in the existing program. Typically those people get grandfathered in to the new program but there's a possibility they might not be, said Mohr-Elzeki.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump sees 'a thirst' for his 'gold card' visa idea with $5 million potential path to US citizenship
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he plans to start selling a 'gold card' visa with a potential pathway to U.S. citizenship for $5 million, seeking to have that new initiative replace a 35-year-old visa program for investors. 'If we sell a million, that's $5 trillion dollars,' Trump said during the first meeting of his second-term Cabinet, suggesting that the new revenue generated for federal coffers could be used to pay off the country's debt. 'I think we will sell a lot because I think there's really a thirst,' Trump said of demand from the business community to participate. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The president said of recipients that 'they'll be wealthy and they'll be successful and they'll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people, and we think it's going to be extremely successful.' 'Companies can buy gold cards and, in exchange, get those visas to hire new employees,' Trump said. 'No other country can do this because people don't want to go to other countries. They want to come here," Trump said. 'Everybody wants to come here, especially since Nov. 5," he said of his Election Day victory last fall. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters during the same meeting that Trump's initiative would replace the EB-5 program, which offers U.S. visas to investors who spent about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people. Lutnick said that program 'has been around for many years for investment in projects' but 'it was poorly overseen, poorly executed.' The commerce secretary added that the gold card — which would actually work more like a green card, or permanent legal residency — would raise the price of admission for investors and do away with fraud and 'nonsense' that he said characterize the EB-5 program. A pathway to citizenship as part of the new program also sets it apart from the EB-5 program. Trump said vetting people who might be eligible for the gold card will 'go through a process' that is still being worked out. Pressed on if there would be restrictions on people from China or Iran not being allowed to participate, Trump suggested it will likely not 'be restricted to much in terms of countries, but maybe in terms of individuals." About 8,000 people obtained investor visas in the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2022, according to the Homeland Security Department's most recent Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. The Congressional Research Service reported in 2021 that EB-5 visas pose risks of fraud, including verification that funds were obtained legally. Investors' visas are common around the world. Henley & Partners, an advisory firm, says more than 100 countries around the world offer 'golden visas' to wealthy individuals, including the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Malta, Australia, Canada and Italy. Trump made no mention of the requirements for job creation. And, while the number of EB-5 visas is capped, the Republican president mused that the federal government could sell 10 million 'gold cards' to reduce the deficit. He said it 'could be great, maybe it will be fantastic.' 'It's somewhat like a green card, but at a higher level of sophistication," the president said. 'It's a road to citizenship for people, and essentially people of wealth or people of great talent, where people of wealth pay for those people of talent to get in, meaning companies will pay for people to get in and to have long, long term status in the country.' Congress determines qualifications for citizenship, but Trump said 'gold cards' would not require congressional approval.
