Trump Unveils $1 Million “Gold Card” Visa for Wealthy Immigrants

President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order establishing the “Trump Gold Card,” a new visa pathway allowing individuals to obtain expedited U.S. residency for a $1 million contribution and corporations to sponsor applicants for $2 million.

The program aims to generate significant federal revenue while prioritizing high-value contributors and expediting immigration adjudication, marking a major shift in U.S. immigration policy’s alignment with economic interests.

Program Essentials

  • Cost and Eligibility: Individual applicants must donate $1 million; corporate sponsors pay $2 million per beneficiary.
  • Residency Status: Approved cardholders receive permanent resident status under EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories, pending background checks by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  • Revenue Allocation: Funds are earmarked for tax cuts, pro-growth initiatives, and debt reduction via deposits into the Treasury and a Commerce Department-managed fund.

Application Process and Timeline

Applicants submit documentation and a nonrefundable processing fee through trumpcard.gov, triggering an accelerated review. Following vetting, successful applicants receive the physical Gold Card, featuring the presidential portrait, Statue of Liberty, and American flag on a gold background.

Rationale and Expected Impact

Trump framed the initiative as a reform to reward legal immigrants and strengthen the economy, contrasting it with “broken” previous policies he criticized for overburdening taxpayers. The administration projects the program could raise over $100 billion rapidly, funding federal priorities without raising taxes.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised the program’s ability to attract “only extraordinary individuals” and spur job creation, while critics warn of legal challenges over bypassing traditional immigration criteria.

Broader Immigration Reforms

Simultaneously, Trump signed an order imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas to curb perceived program misuse and protect domestic workers. Plans for a future “Platinum Card,” costing $5 million for up to 270 days of tax-exempt stay, were also announced but not yet detailed.

Reactions and Next Steps

  • Business Community: Mixed responses-some tech firms express concern over higher sponsorship costs for skilled hires.
  • Legal Experts: Anticipate lawsuits over the expedited pathway’s compatibility with existing immigration statutes.
  • Congressional Outlook: Lawmakers are expected to debate funding uses and safeguard measures for national security.

With implementation details still emerging, the Trump Gold Card represents a high-stakes experiment in leveraging immigration policy for direct fiscal gain.