The U.S. government recently unveiled a new website dedicated to promoting a visa program designed for affluent immigrants, providing a pathway to American residency at considerable financial cost. This initiative features a “Trump Gold Card” priced at $1 million, alongside various processing fees and background checks. For those willing to invest more significantly, a “Platinum Card” set at $5 million will enable holders to spend up to 270 days in the United States without being subject to U.S. taxes on their non-U.S. income.
The program is structured to also include corporate investors. The “Trump Corporate Gold Card” allows businesses to transfer access from one employee to another, contingent upon payment of a transfer fee and Department of Homeland Security vetting. A nominal annual maintenance fee will also be required. Companies investing $2 million can secure U.S. residency for select employees, potentially opening new avenues for business operations in the country.
This initiative was first presented by former President Trump in February, alongside Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. During a recent White House announcement, Trump framed the visa program as a means to attract foreign investment, stimulate job creation, and contribute to reducing the national deficit. The wealthy-centric visa scheme stands as a strategic element of Trump’s broader immigration policy, which aims to pair stricter deportation measures for undocumented migrants with new legal pathways tailored for high-income individuals.
In conjunction with this new program, Trump is proposing significant changes to the H-1B visa framework, introducing a hefty $100,000 application fee aimed at limiting its use. This move could substantially increase expenses for technology and other companies wanting to employ foreign skilled workers.
While Trump envisions the potential for up to one million card purchases, immigration experts express skepticism regarding the actual number of investors able to meet these financial thresholds. The viability of such a program will ultimately depend on finding a sufficient pool of wealthy individuals ready to invest in their U.S. residency.
