Elon Musk Recommends Golden Visa to Replace Green Card: A New Era for Investor Immigration?

A Radical Shift in U.S. Immigration Policy?

In a surprising and forward-looking proposal, Elon Musk has reportedly recommended replacing the current U.S. Green Card system with a capital-based Golden Visa program—one that prioritizes investors, innovators, and tech entrepreneurs over traditional family or employment-based applicants.

While the idea has not yet been introduced as legislation, sources close to the Trump administration indicate that the concept has gained attention among conservative policymakers. It signals that the U.S. could finally join countries like Portugal, Greece, the UAE, and St. Kitts in offering clear residency rights in exchange for economic contribution.

What Is Musk Suggesting?

According to media leaks and political insiders, Elon Musk’s suggested framework includes:

• A Golden Visa for individuals investing at least $1 million in U.S.-based businesses, innovation, or infrastructure

• Fast-track residency for AI experts, startup founders, and inventors

• A points-based system that values wealth, innovation, and contribution over traditional ties

• Eventual citizenship eligibility for those who meet long-term criteria

If implemented, the program could attract high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs who are currently investing in Europe, Asia, or the Caribbean.

Why Now?

The timing of Musk’s proposal is strategic. With Trump aiming for a return to the White House and investor immigration gaining popularity worldwide, the U.S. appears to be considering a competitive response to existing Golden Visa programs in other jurisdictions.

Current U.S. investment visas like the EB-5 and E-2 are often described as slow, expensive, and administratively complex. Musk’s model promises a faster, simpler, and more attractive system, particularly for the global elite who are already seeking mobility and stability through investment.

What Would This Mean for Global Investors?

If Elon Musk’s Golden Visa model becomes a reality, global investors would gain:

• A more transparent U.S. residency pathway

• Quicker processing and entry

• A system not limited to real estate but open to tech, infrastructure, and capital markets

• An elite alternative to the traditional Green Card

This could position the U.S. as a top-tier destination for high-value investors, directly challenging Europe and the Caribbean.

Yusuf Boz: “The U.S. Is Poised to Redefine Investor Migration”

Yusuf Boz, CEO of NotteGlobal and a global leader in residency-by-investment advisory, commented:

“Elon Musk’s vision aligns with what we’re already seeing across the globe: countries are no longer offering residency simply for presence—they want value. If the U.S. adopts such a system, it will immediately become one of the most attractive investment migration destinations in the world.”

Boz emphasized that clients looking to diversify their global mobility strategy should closely follow these developments.

America’s Golden Opportunity

Even though Elon Musk’s Golden Visa proposal is not yet law, it introduces a powerful idea: that the future of immigration will be based on what you contribute, not just who you know.

For investors, entrepreneurs, and tech professionals, this could open an entirely new chapter in U.S. migration strategy—one that rewards innovation, economic impact, and global thinking.

At NotteGlobal, we are closely monitoring the evolution of this proposal and advising our clients on how to position themselves for the next wave of opportunity