Washington, D.C. – December 11, 2025
In a bold move blending immigration policy with economic incentives, President Donald Trump announced the launch of the "Trump Gold Card" visa program on Wednesday, offering affluent foreign nationals a streamlined path to U.S. permanent residency—and eventually citizenship—for a hefty $1 million contribution to the federal government. Dubbed a "direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people," the initiative has sparked both praise from business leaders eager to retain global talent and sharp criticism for favoring the ultra-wealthy amid the administration's aggressive deportation efforts.
Trump broke the news via a post on Truth Social, exclaiming, “THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S TRUMP GOLD CARD IS HERE TODAY! A direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people. SO EXCITING! Our Great American Companies can finally keep their invaluable Talent.” The program's official website, trumpcard.gov, went live shortly after, inviting applications and promising "unmatched opportunities" and residency "in record time."
### How the Gold Card Works
Under the program, individual applicants must pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for a thorough background check, followed by the $1 million "gift" to the U.S. Treasury upon approval. Successful candidates receive lawful permanent resident status—essentially a revamped green card—under EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories, bypassing traditional hurdles like job-creation mandates from the existing EB-5 investor visa program. This status allows holders to live, work, and study indefinitely in the U.S., with eligibility for naturalization after five years.
For corporations, a "Corporate Gold Card" variant costs $2 million per foreign employee, targeting high-skilled workers in tech, finance, and other sectors to address talent retention concerns. Trump teased a premium "Platinum Card" option at $5 million, which reportedly exempts holders from certain U.S. taxes and guarantees faster citizenship processing, though full details remain forthcoming.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick highlighted the vetting process during a briefing, emphasizing that the $15,000 fee funds "rigorous" security screenings to ensure only the "best of the best" qualify. Unlike capped programs, the Gold Card has no annual limits on issuances, positioning it as an unlimited revenue stream for federal initiatives.
### A Replacement for EB-5?
The Gold Card builds on the decades-old EB-5 program, which requires investments starting at $800,000 but ties approvals to job creation in targeted areas. Trump's version streamlines this by eliminating economic impact requirements, focusing instead on direct financial contributions. Proponents argue it will inject billions into the economy while attracting elite graduates from U.S. universities who might otherwise leave due to visa backlogs.
On X (formerly Twitter), reactions were swift. News outlets like THE WEEK shared videos explaining the program's mechanics, noting its appeal to corporations for retaining "invaluable talent." User @AshWilliam15 called it an "expedited path for the wealthy," linking to BBC coverage that raised equity concerns. Meanwhile, @cryptodegenxxxx quipped about the $5 million Platinum tier as a way to "buy US citizenship," amplifying viral clips of Trump's announcement.
### Backlash and Broader Context
The rollout coincides with Trump's intensified immigration crackdown, including mass deportations and border fortifications, drawing accusations of hypocrisy. Critics, including immigration advocates, decry the program as a "pay-to-play" scheme that exacerbates inequality in the U.S. immigration system. "While families are torn apart at the border, the rich get a golden ticket," said one analyst in a Hindustan Times op-ed.
Legal experts question the program's longevity, noting it stems from Executive Order 14351 and could face congressional challenges or court scrutiny over its classification as a "gift" rather than an investment. The Independent reported that while Trump touts it as superior to a standard green card, it only guarantees residency—not automatic citizenship—leaving some fine print ambiguities.
As applications pour in— with early reports of interest from tech hubs in India and China—the Gold Card underscores Trump's vision of merit-based, economically driven immigration. Whether it reshapes U.S. borders or fuels further debate remains to be seen.
This report is based on official announcements and multiple news sources. For application details, visit trumpcard.gov.
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