Jordan’s move to ease residency rules will attract investment, say experts

RIYADH: President Donald Trump assured that investors entering the US under the newly introduced $5 million “Gold Card” visa program will not be subject to taxes on their foreign assets.

This assurance comes as Trump and his administration seek to attract high-net-worth individuals from around the world by offering a direct pathway to US residency and citizenship.

Addressing Congress on March 4, Trump outlined the program’s structure. “They (investors) won’t have to pay tax from where they came, the money that they’ve made, you wouldn’t want to do that. But they have to pay tax (in the US) and create jobs,” he said.

His remarks came as a reassurance to prospective investors who may have been concerned about the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, which has deterred some wealthy individuals from seeking US residency due to global taxation concerns.

Arab News raised this concern in a previous article following Trump’s announcement of the new initiative.

Now that the president has cleared that doubt and reassured investors that their assets abroad won’t be taxed, Salman Al-Ansari, a geopolitical analyst and former US investor, emphasized that the Gold Card exemption is a game-changer.

“This move certainly removes a significant barrier for Saudi and Gulf investors who were previously wary of US residency due to FATCA’s global tax implications,” he told Arab News in an interview.

Al-Ansari added that this exemption “is a clear indication that his administration is responsive to global investor concerns.”

However, he noted that despite this strong incentive, long-term concerns about possible changes in US tax policy are likely to remain. “Investors in the region understand that tax policies can change with different administrations, so some may still approach with caution, opting for structures that offer flexibility in case future regulations become less favorable,” Al-Ansari added.

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Read: Will Trump strike gold with wealthy Arabs through new residency program?

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The new initiative will replace the existing EB-5 visa program, which was originally designed to grant permanent residency to investors who contributed at least $1 million to a US business that created or sustained at least 10 jobs for American workers.

Trump emphasized to Congress that the initiative would address talent retention by allowing investors to fund and support highly skilled graduates from top US universities, preventing them from being forced to leave the country.

The US faces stiff competition from other nations with established golden visa programs, particularly Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia, which have successfully attracted high-net-worth individuals through similar initiatives.

On whether Saudi investors will become more selective about US investments due to domestic taxation under the Gold Card visa, Al-Ansari noted: “The exemption of foreign assets is a strong incentive, but the fact that income generated within the US is still taxable means that Saudi investors will likely be more strategic in their choices.”

He added: “They may favor sectors that offer higher tax efficiencies, such as real estate, energy, or industries benefiting from tax incentives.”

However, Al-Ansari said that as long as the US provides a stable business environment and competitive opportunities, taxation within the country is a reasonable tradeoff.

“The key factor for Saudi investors will be the ease of doing business and whether the Gold Card visa comes with additional facilitations that make investments more attractive beyond the tax benefits,” he concluded.

By structuring the Gold Card visa to exempt foreign assets from US taxation, Trump’s administration is positioning the program as an attractive alternative to other golden visa schemes worldwide.

Investors from the Gulf, who have already benefited from similar residency programs in their home countries, may now see the US as an increasingly viable destination for expanding their businesses and securing long-term financial stability.

As highlighted in a previous report by Arab News, the initiative is being closely watched due to its potential to attract substantial foreign capital, especially from countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.

Despite global competition from established golden visa programs, the US remains an appealing destination for investors, due to its business environment, talent pool, and real estate opportunities.

With the added benefit of no taxation on foreign assets, the Gold Card program is seen as a highly attractive option for investors looking to expand their businesses and secure long-term financial stability in the US.