On Wednesday, President Trump unveiled the Trump Gold Card, a new immigration program that provides an expedited pathway to U.S. residency and eventual citizenship for foreigners willing to pay $1 million.
The announcement came during a meeting with business leaders at the White House, where Trump described the initiative as a transformative shift in American immigration strategy.
“Basically, it’s a green card but much better,” Trump said. “Much more powerful, a much stronger path.”
Shortly after the event, the program’s website, TrumpCard.gov, went live, showcasing images of the new card design: Trump’s official portrait framed by the Statue of Liberty, an eagle, and his signature.
How the Program Works
According to the website, the process begins with a nonrefundable $15,000 processing fee for Department of Homeland Security vetting. After passing the background check, applicants who contribute $1 million will “receive U.S. residency in record time.”
Successful applicants will become lawful permanent residents, and like green card holders may apply for U.S. citizenship after five years.
The website emphasizes political intent behind the program:
“A $1 million gift upon completion of the individual’s vetting is evidence that the individual will substantially benefit the United States.”
Additional State Department fees may apply. Companies seeking to sponsor foreign workers can buy a Trump Corporate Gold Card for $2 million per employee.
There is also an elite tier: the Trump Platinum Card, a $5 million package that promises foreign nationals the ability to spend up to 270 days in the U.S. without being subject to U.S. taxes on non-U.S. income.
The review process is expected to take weeks, though applicants from a “small number of countries” may face waits of a year or more due to visa availability.
Trump said the program could generate “probably billions of dollars,” all of which he said would be deposited into the U.S. Treasury.
Months in the Making:
The Gold Card stems from a broader immigration overhaul that has unfolded throughout Trump’s current term. He first teased the idea in February, suggesting each card might cost $5 million. In September, he signed an executive order establishing a framework for the program, defining qualified applicants as foreign nationals who “voluntarily provide a significant financial gift to the Nation.”
During the same period, Trump announced a new $100,000 fee on H-1B applications—widely used by tech companies to hire skilled workers. He said he was responding to concerns from CEOs such as Apple’s Tim Cook, who reported losing top graduates due to visa shortages.
Other countries, including the U.K., Canada, and Italy, have long maintained “golden visa” systems. But critics argue such programs create a two-tiered immigration regime favoring the wealthy. Trump officials say that’s entirely intentional.
“We’re the only great country that lets other people just come in without vetting them and deciding whether they’re really going to help the economy,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC.
“Let’s bring in the top of the best… Why should we take people who are below average?”
A Broader Immigration Crackdown:
The Gold Card’s rollout coincides with dramatic shifts in U.S. immigration policy following the November killing of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. The suspect, Rahmanaullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who previously worked with U.S. forces.
In response, Trump announced plans to suspend immigration from “all Third World countries” and ordered a review of all green card applications from 19 “countries of concern,” including Afghanistan and Somalia.
This week in Pennsylvania, Trump revisited controversial comments he reportedly made in 2018. Onstage, he recounted questioning why the U.S. wasn’t receiving immigrants from countries like Norway and Sweden instead of “s***hole countries.”
“Our country was going to hell,” Trump said. “Why can’t we have some people from Norway, Sweden… Do you mind sending us a few people?”
