US President Donald Trump has introduced a new visa program called the Trump Gold Card, aimed at providing a costly pathway for non-citizens to obtain expedited residency in the United States. Officially launched through the website Trumpcard.gov, the program allows interested individuals to pay a processing fee of $15,000 to the Department of Homeland Security. Following a background check, applicants must make a substantial contribution of $1 million to secure their visa, which offers similar rights to a Green Card.
During a press briefing at the White House, Trump described the Gold Card as “basically a Green Card, but much better. Much more powerful, a much stronger path.” He emphasized the importance of the program, stating that it would facilitate entry for “great people” into the country.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that approximately 10,000 people pre-registered for the Gold Card before its official launch, with expectations that the number will grow significantly. “I would expect over time that we’d sell thousands of these cards and raise billions of dollars,” Lutnick stated, highlighting the economic benefits he anticipates from the program.
Lutnick further elaborated that the Gold Card program aims to attract individuals who would positively contribute to the US economy, suggesting that they would be financially more successful than typical Green Card holders. He claimed that average Green Card recipients earn less than the average American and are more likely to rely on public assistance, although he did not provide evidence to support this assertion.
The introduction of the Trump Gold Card comes amid the administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration policies. Trump’s administration has previously focused on deporting numerous undocumented immigrants and implementing measures designed to reduce legal immigration. The Gold Card initiative represents a strategic pivot, aiming to generate revenue for the US Treasury, similar to how Trump’s tariff policies have been positioned as beneficial for the economy.
In addition to individual applications, there is also a corporate version of the Gold Card. Companies can expedite visa processing for employees through a contribution of $2 million per employee, further opening avenues for business-related immigration.
As the program unfolds, it raises questions about the balance between encouraging investment in the US and the administration’s overall immigration stance. The Gold Card initiative embodies a unique approach to immigration, merging financial contributions with residency rights, setting the stage for potential shifts in the landscape of American immigration policy.
