This Week’s Immigration Highlights: F, M & J Visas Social Media Rules “Gold Card” Update

1. F‑1, M‑1 & J‑1 Visa Interviews Resume — With New Social Media Rules

U.S. embassies abroad have resumed scheduling F‑1 (academic), M‑1 (vocational), and J‑1 (exchange visitor) visa interviews. This comes after a temporary hold due to enhanced vetting procedures. As of July 2025:

• Applicants must disclose all social media usernames used over the last five years on the DS‑160 visa application.
• Public visibility of accounts is expected; private or locked profiles may raise red flags or cause delays.
• Visa denials are more likely if applicants omit handles or have controversial content online.

Key tip Review and clean up your online presence before your interview. (NAFSA, Guardian , VisaVerge)

2. “Trump Gold Card” Investment Pathway — $5M for U.S. Residency?
A new immigration proposal informally dubbed the “Trump Gold Card” would offer permanent residency to high-net-worth individuals in exchange for a $5 million investment. The plan was unveiled by Trump allies in early 2025 and has gained attention worldwide.
Key highlights:

• Described as a streamlined investor visa with no job-creation requirement.
• Proposed as an alternative to the EB‑5 program, which requires $800K–$1.05M and proof of U.S. job creation.
• Marketed as offering a faster path to a green card and eventual citizenship.

However — and this is important — EB-5 is a congressionally authorized program, and cannot be repealed, replaced, or terminated without an act of Congress.
As of now, EB‑5 remains fully active and legally intact.
“Any new visa program, such as the so-called Gold Card, would require full congressional approval before it could replace or modify the EB‑5 Regional Center Program.”
— Forbes, April 2025