Gold Card Visa for Indian Nationals: What to Know in 2026

Introduction Indian nationals face a specific challenge in the U.S. immigration system: per country visa limits that create some of the longest wait times of any nationality. This backlog affects EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5 categories alike, and it changes the value proposition of any new immigration pathway. The proposed Trump Gold Card, announced by the Trump administration in 2025, has drawn particular interest among Indian professionals and investors because, if enacted, it might operate outside the traditional per country allocation system. It remains a proposal that has not been enacted into law, and creating such a category would require an act of Congress. If a program were enacted and operated this way, it would be a major advantage for Indian nationals who currently face multi year (and in some categories, multi decade) waits. This article examines the Gold Card through the lens of an Indian national evaluating U.S. immigration...#