The new Trump Gold Card program was implemented by White House Executive Order (the ”EO”) on Friday, September 19, and further publicized on the Trump Card website (www.trumpcard.gov) after several months of preparation.
The Gold program offers a pathway to U.S. residency distinct from the EB-5 visa. Instead of requiring investment in a job-creating project which applicants can receive back within a few years, individuals can qualify by making a $1 million contribution (or $2 million if sponsored by a company), which they never get back.
Unlike EB-5, which is tied to new job creation and regional center investments, the Gold Card is tied to existing EB-1 or EB-2 categories, which also have quota limits like EB-5, and have existing backlogs. The Gold Card does not provide favorable tax treatment, and applicants must pay an additional processing fee and undergo extra vetting. It is also unclear whether derivative family members are included under a single $1 million contribution or if each must contribute separately.
The bottom line: people considering immigrating to the U.S. based on the EB-5 immigrant investor visa should apply now.
Trump's executive order requires the government to implement the Gold Card within 90 days of publication, so by December 18, 2025. While the EO includes an obscure mention that the government will “Consider expanding the Gold Card program to visa applicants under EB-5", it remains unclear how this could happen by executive order rather than by passage of legislation by Congress. Current law provides that any EB-5 petitioner submitting their petition before September 30, 2026 will be adjudicated under existing rules.
The most conservative approach for those considering EB-5 would be to apply before the December 18, 2025 deadline for Gold Card implementation.
The Trump Card website also refers to a Platinum card as “coming soon”, which would require a $5 million contribution, and offer recipients exemption from US income taxes on non-U.S. income and allow recipients to spend up to 270 days in the US. Note that the Platinum Card has not yet been implemented.
If you are considering the EB-5 immigration by investment visa, Contact Peachtree Group to learn more about the process.
Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”) has received I-956F approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the federal agency that oversees the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, for the development of Madison Bradenton, a 240-unit multifamily community in Bradenton, Fla.
The approval marks another major step forward for Peachtree’s EB-5 program, which drives economic growth and job creation through foreign investment in U.S. projects.
“Madison Bradenton reflects the strong demand for high-quality multifamily housing in growing markets,” said Adam Greene, executive vice president of EB-5 at Peachtree. “This project underscores our ability to pair EB-5 financing with secured lending, delivering attractive opportunities for investors while meeting critical housing needs.”
This marks Peachtree’s fourth I-956F approved development. Previous projects include Home2 Suites by Hilton in Boone, N.C., Spring Hill Suites by Marriott in Bryce Canyon, Utah and TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Palmdale, Calif.
Peachtree launched its EB-5 program in 2023 and remains committed to delivering high-quality, job-creating projects nationwide.
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Peachtree originated $47 million in floating-rate construction financing with a four-year term for the development. The project will include five four-story, elevator-serviced apartment buildings and one two-story carriage-style building, along with a clubhouse and several garage structures.
The 10.7-acre site at 303 301 Boulevard West sits in Manatee County, one of Florida’s fastest-growing areas. The location offers access to major employers, top healthcare centers and leisure destinations, including Siesta Key Beach, ranked among the nation’s best.
The community will feature 120 one-bedroom, 100 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom residences, averaging 1,027 square feet. Units will include stainless steel appliances, walk-in closets, granite countertops, kitchen backsplashes, ceiling fans, full-size washer-dryers and private patios or balconies.
Bradenton and the North Port–Sarasota–Bradenton metropolitan area continue to benefit from strong population growth, economic expansion and an appealing coastal lifestyle. With 81 percent of area jobs accessible within a 30-minute drive and leading employers in healthcare, government and retail, the market outlook remains highly favorable.
The EB-5 visa program allows foreign investors to obtain a green card in exchange for making a qualifying investment in a U.S. project that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs. The minimum investment is $800,000.
In a recent episode of the Peachtree Point of View podcast, Greg Friedman, CEO of Peachtree Group, sits down with Adam Greene, who heads the company's EB-5 program. Their conversation reveals how this unique financing mechanism can stimulate economic growth and job-creation while producing competitive advantages for commercial real estate investments.
For Peachtree Group investors, understanding EB-5 provides insight into how the firm enhances investment returns. The program works by connecting foreign nationals seeking U.S. green cards with development projects that need capital. These foreign investors contribute a minimum of $800,000 to qualifying projects that create U.S. jobs, and in exchange, they and their families receive a pathway to permanent residency.
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The EB-5 capital typically comes at a lower cost than traditional financing sources, as foreign investors are primarily motivated by immigration benefits rather than financial returns. This allows Peachtree to replace more expensive layers of the capital stack with this efficient capital, potentially improving overall project economics.
Adam Greene, with 14 years of specialized experience in EB-5 and nearly three decades in construction financing, explains Peachtree's innovative approach: Unlike competitors who use a "best efforts" fundraising model, Peachtree fully underwrites and commits to projects upfront, then uses EB-5 capital as a take-out strategy. This eliminates execution risk while still delivering the financial advantages of EB-5 funding.
The podcast highlights a recent $25 million Home2 Suites hotel in Boone, North Carolina as an example. Located in a rural area qualifying for the $800,000 EB-5 investment threshold, the project successfully incorporated EB-5 capital to enhance its financial structure.
The conversation also touches on the proposed "Gold Card" visa program under the Trump administration, which differs significantly from EB-5 as it involves a $5 million donation to the U.S. Treasury rather than an investment in job-creating projects.
Listen to the full episode of Peachtree Point of View to gain deeper insights into how Peachtree leverages EB-5 financing to optimize returns on commercial real estate investments. Follow Peachtree Point of View on your favorite podcast platform for more strategic conversations on investment opportunities and financing innovations.
ATLANTA (April 2025) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”) has successfully secured U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) approval for four regional centers:
These approvals allow Peachtree to independently structure and sponsor EB-5 projects within the designated territories, streamlining the investment process and enhancing efficiency in bringing deals to market.
The approved regional centers cover the continental U.S., giving Peachtree a national footprint to expand its EB-5 program. With these approvals, the firm plans to scale its EB-5 efforts, increase deal volume, and seamlessly integrate EB-5 capital into its broader investment strategy.
Peachtree launched its EB-5 program in 2023 with the appointment of Adam Greene as executive vice president. Since then, the program has received three I-956F approvals for hotel developments, including:
The Regional Center approvals, granted by USCIS, represent a critical milestone in facilitating EB-5 investment opportunities. Previously, Peachtree relied on third-party regional centers, which added complexity and extended processing times. Now, with its own approved regional centers, the firm can directly manage and file EB-5 investments, significantly reducing timelines and enhancing control over its platform.
“These approvals mark a major milestone for Peachtree, solidifying our ability to independently execute EB-5 transactions and accelerate our investment initiatives,” Greene said. “With this expanded capacity, we can efficiently sponsor and structure projects, further driving economic development and job creation across the country.”
Peachtree has built a strong reputation in commercial real estate investment, and the newly established regional centers align with its long-term vision of diversifying and optimizing its capital sources.
"Implementing an EB-5 program is an excellent way to access low-cost capital, diversify our funding sources and invest in job-creating projects across the country," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's CEO and managing principal.
The EB-5 visa program allows foreign investors to obtain a green card in exchange for making a significant investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs in the U.S. Under the program, foreign nationals who invest a minimum of $800,000 in a U.S.-based project that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers are eligible to apply for permanent residency in the U.S.
"Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding our EB-5 footprint by increasing the number of qualifying projects and deepening our engagement with EB-5 investors. With a proven investment track record, national reach and execution expertise, Peachtree is well-positioned to leverage these approvals and solidify its leadership in the EB-5 investment sector," Greene added.
