President Donald Trump has unveiled a new visa initiative, dubbed the “Gold Card” program, which will enable affluent foreign nationals to attain U.S. residency through a significant monetary investment. Announcing the program on Truth Social, Trump stated, “Today we are proud to announce THE TRUMP GOLD CARD,” revealing that individuals can obtain the card for a $1 million investment, while corporations can secure it for $2 million.
The Gold Card plan serves as a reflection of the Trump administration’s complex immigration strategy, which juxtaposes the tightening of conventional visa pathways with the introduction of costly alternatives. Since entering office, Trump has consistently sought innovative revenue-generating measures, such as imposing new tariffs, claiming a share of corporate profits from companies like Nvidia, and suggesting that the U.S. should earn royalties from university patents. By monetizing green cards at $1 million each, the administration is transforming immigration policy into a potential revenue source, all the while reducing humanitarian programs like Temporary Protected Status and parole.
Under the newly detailed executive order, foreign nationals who contribute a minimum of $1 million to the Commerce Department will gain access to an expedited immigrant visa process. Corporations wishing to have employees enter this streamlined process must contribute $2 million. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed that the administration anticipates issuing approximately 80,000 Gold Cards, although the program is still in the “implementation phase.” Once approved through a vetting process administered by the State Department and Department of Homeland Security, applicants will be granted lawful permanent resident status—commonly recognized as a green card—upon paying an additional $15,000 processing fee.
The introduction of the Gold Card will effectively replace the existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories, which currently cater to individuals with “exceptional ability” in various fields. Lutnick indicated, “In less than a month, the other visa green card categories are likely to be suspended, and this will be the model that people can come into the country.” He further noted that demonstrating exceptional value to the U.S. by contributing financially is a solid expectation for prospective applicants.
In addition to the Gold Card, the administration is contemplating the introduction of a “Platinum Card” visa available for $5 million. This card would allow recipients to reside in the U.S. for up to 270 days each year while avoiding taxes on income generated outside the country. However, this proposal requires congressional approval. Preparations for the Platinum Card are underway, with a waiting list established on a federal website.
In a related move, Trump signed an executive order imposing an extra $100,000 fee on applicants for H-1B visas, which permit thousands of skilled workers to live and work in the U.S. for up to six years. When queried about the anticipated reaction from the tech industry regarding the new H-1B fee, Trump expressed confidence that companies would be pleased, suggesting that this would ensure a productive influx of talent into the country.
Trump elaborated on the broader implications of the Gold Card initiative, stating, “For far too long, we have had millions of illegal aliens pouring into our country, and our immigration system was broken… We anticipate THE TRUMP GOLD CARD will generate well over $100 billion very quickly, which will be utilized for reducing taxes, pro-growth projects, and paying down our debt.”
However, legal experts warn that the Gold Card may face challenges, emphasizing that allowing individuals to bypass traditional immigration processes may provoke lawsuits.
