- Trump launched the "Gold Card"—a fast‑track residency program selling permanent residency for a $1 million gift plus $15,000 processing fee.
- Program favors ultra‑wealthy and corporations, offers Platinum tier with tax perks, and allows family members for additional fees.
- Critics call it a double standard amid tougher immigration rhetoric, raising fairness, security, and optics concerns about buying entry.
In a move that’s already stirring up conversations across political lines, President Donald Trump has rolled out his new “Gold Card” immigration initiative, aimed at luring high-net-worth individuals and top talent to the U.S. with promises of expedited residency.
Launched just this week, the program lets applicants essentially buy their way into permanent resident status for a hefty price tag starting at $1 million.
But it’s not without controversy, especially given Trump’s simultaneous push for tougher restrictions on other forms of immigration.
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The announcement came during a roundtable with business leaders on December 11, where Trump hyped the program as a game-changer for the economy.
“Very excitingly, for me and for the country, we’ve just launched the Trump gold card.
bout 30 minutes from now, the site goes up and all funds go to the United States government,” he said, emphasizing how it could bring in graduates from elite schools like Wharton, Stern, Harvard, and MIT.
What Exactly Is the Trump Gold Card?
At its core, the Gold Card is designed as a fast-tracked pathway to U.S. residency for those who can demonstrate “substantial benefit” to the country—primarily through financial contributions.
According to the official website, trumpcard.gov, applicants kick things off with a nonrefundable $15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
After that, they undergo an expedited background check.
If cleared, individuals pony up a $1 million “gift” to the U.S. government, which seals the deal for permanent residency under EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories.
It’s not just for solo applicants, either.
Corporations can sponsor employees through a similar process, but with a $2 million gift per person—though there’s flexibility to transfer sponsorships later for a fee.
And for those looking for even more perks, a Platinum Card option is in the works, requiring a $5 million contribution.
This one would allow holders to spend up to 270 days a year in the U.S. without taxing non-U.S. income, but it’s still on a waitlist and not fully live yet.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who’s been a big proponent, suggested during the launch that this could rake in billions for the Treasury.
“Obviously, they have to be perfect, people in America,” he added, noting that after five years, participants could pursue citizenship.
Lutnick echoed this sentiment elsewhere, calling it a way to attract “the top top” talent.
The program officially started accepting applications on December 10, 2025, following an executive order Trump signed back in September.
Family members can tag along, but each one adds another $15,000 fee and $1 million gift.
The whole process is touted to wrap up in weeks, assuming everything checks out—no small feat in the usual immigration bureaucracy.
A Complete Contrast in Immigration Policy
What’s raising eyebrows is how this elite pathway fits into Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which has leaned heavily into restrictions.
Just the night before the Gold Card announcement, Trump was at an event doubling down on anti-immigrant rhetoric.
“Why can’t we have some people from Norway, Sweden, just a few,” he said.
“Let us have a few… from Denmark. Do you mind sending us a few people? Send us some nice people. Do you mind?
But we always take people from Somalia, places that are a disaster, right? Filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime.”
This echoes his infamous “s—hole countries” comments from his first term, and it comes amid plans to suspend immigration from “Third World Countries” and pause all asylum decisions after a recent shooting involving National Guard troops in D.C.
Critics argue it’s a double standard: welcoming the rich while slamming the door on others fleeing hardship.
Trump himself described the Gold Card as “somewhat like a green card, but with big advantage,” allowing companies to “buy a card and keep that person in the United States.”
Supporters, like Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, see it as a boon: “I think people are going to come because they’ll be in the greatest country in the world.”
How It Stacks Up Against Existing Programs
Immigration experts are drawing parallels to the EB-5 visa, which also requires investments but has faced backlogs and higher scrutiny.
The Gold Card seems streamlined for the ultra-wealthy, with no need for job creation or regional center involvement—just straight cash to the government.
Visa lawyers are advising clients to jump in early, noting the program’s December 2025 opening and the potential for quick approvals.
But not everyone’s sold.
Some worry about national security risks or the optics of “selling” citizenship, even if it’s framed as a gift.
The program’s revocation clause mentions it can be pulled for security or criminal issues, but details are sparse.
Reactions and What’s Next
The launch has made waves in media circles.
CNN reported on the $1 million visa as a way for foreigners to pay for expedited entry, while The Washington Post highlighted the website’s debut and its focus on fast-tracking.
CBS News delved into the tiered options, including the corporate and platinum levels.
Even Fox Business chimed in, quoting Lutnick on how it’s all about top-tier investors.
As for the future, the Platinum Card’s rollout could be imminent, with applicants urged to join the waitlist now before fees potentially rise.
Trump himself summed it up best: “They can invest in America. And we can continue to build the greatest economy on Earth.”
This program arrives at a tense time for U.S. immigration policy, blending economic opportunism with selective entry.
Whether it boosts the Treasury or fuels more division remains to be seen.
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Also Read: Trump Aides Now Want President to Stop Blaming Biden for His Own Mess
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