Trump unveils a $1 million “gold card” visa plan as part of a broader immigration crackdown. The move introduces a new program that lets wealthy foreign nationals purchase U.S. residency, with a forthcoming “platinum” tier priced at $5 million.
On X, the former president described the initiative as a direct path to citizenship for qualified and thoroughly vetted individuals, praising the ability of American companies to attract top talent once again. An official site promises residency in record time after a $15,000 DHS processing fee, a background check, and the required investment.
The September executive order lays out the financial commitments: applicants must contribute $1 million, while businesses sponsoring workers must contribute $2 million. Sponsors would also face a 1% annual maintenance fee totaling $20,000 per year and a 5% transfer fee of $100,000 each time the visa is reassigned to a different employee.
The program appears amid a push by the Trump administration to prioritize deportations of undocumented migrants, and it has drawn notable criticism for seeming at odds with the nation’s long-standing image as a land of opportunity for the working poor.
A Platinum Card is reportedly on the horizon on the program’s official portal. This tier would allow holders to spend up to 270 days inside the United States without owing taxes on income earned abroad, with a price tag of $5 million.
Trump has claimed that proceeds from the scheme would fund a country-enhancing account that could generate substantial revenue. The executive order authorizing the Gold Card’s launch was signed in September; initial reports last February put the visa price at $5 million. The reduced price may position this program competitively against similar “pay-to-jump-the-line” schemes abroad. For instance, New Zealand’s golden visa program, pegged close to $3 million, has already attracted interest from some wealthy U.S. buyers following the former president’s re-election campaign.
In September, Trump described the plan as a way to bring in high achievers who are likely to invest heavily rather than attempt to cross borders illegally.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem praised the program on social media, stating that qualified individuals and corporations contributing $1 million and $2 million respectively would receive expedited EB-1 or EB-2 green cards after comprehensive vetting.
