By Jessica Morag, Esq. |Partner, US Immigration Department
The United States currently offers two distinct investment-based immigration pathways, the long-established EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and the Trump Administration’s newly announced “Gold” and “Platinum” Visas. Of these, the EB-5 Program remains the only fully operational and dependable route to obtaining U.S. permanent residence through investment. It requires an investment of $800,000 to $1,050,000 in a qualifying enterprise that creates at least ten U.S. jobs. Although the process is documentation-intensive, it provides a proven path to a green card and, ultimately, U.S. citizenship. For Israeli investors in particular, processing times remain relatively efficient, with no current visa backlog.
The new investor visas proposed by the Trump Administration are intended to offer a faster and more streamlined alternative by eliminating the job-creation requirement. The Gold Visa would grant permanent residence in exchange for a $1–$2 million investment, while the Platinum Visa would require a $5 million investment and allow residence and employment in the United States for up to 270 days per year without subjecting foreign income to U.S. taxation. These investment thresholds are separate from additional filing and processing fees. Recently, USCIS released Form I-140G and opened preliminary registration for Gold Visa applicants, representing the first tangible step toward program implementation.
For Israeli citizens, the Gold Visa concept may offer a strategic gateway to long-term security, global mobility, and access to the world’s largest economy. For Israeli families and entrepreneurs seeking residency options that provide a reliable “Plan B” — ensuring personal and financial stability, access to premier U.S. education and healthcare systems, and the ability to live, work, or invest in the United States as circumstances evolve, this could be an option. A program offering U.S. permanent residence through a straightforward capital investment, without the operational burden of job creation, may be especially attractive to Israeli investors who value efficiency, predictability, and flexibility.
Moreover, high-net-worth Israelis may prefer investment structures that allow for diversification and passive participation, rather than direct involvement in U.S. business operations. The Gold Visa’s emphasis on capital contribution over employment metrics aligns well with this investment philosophy. Given Israel’s dynamic business environment and ongoing regional uncertainty, the opportunity to secure U.S. permanent residence for oneself and one’s family through a streamlined investment vehicle represents not only an immigration benefit, but a powerful asset-planning and legacy tool.
Despite these developments, the Gold and Platinum Visa programs are not yet fully defined or operational. Critical regulations governing eligible investments, adjudication procedures, compliance obligations, and tax coordination remain outstanding, and potential legal challenges could further delay implementation. Until the regulatory framework is finalized and applications are actively being processed, the EB-5 Program continues to be the only established and legally reliable option for investors seeking permanent residence in the United States. We will continue to monitor developments closely and keep clients informed as these new programs evolve.
