President Donald Trump has officially introduced his highly anticipated “gold card,” a new visa initiative offering legal status and a pathway to US citizenship for individuals willing to pay $1 million.
Corporations interested in securing a gold card for foreign-born employees may need to shell out as much as $2 million per person.
The announcement was made at the White House on Wednesday, where Trump was joined by a group of business leaders as the program’s application website went live.
A New Twist on the Green Card
Trump described the gold card as essentially a green card, but “much more powerful” with “a stronger path” to citizenship.
The program is meant to attract top global talent while generating revenue for the federal government.
“All funds taken in as part of this program will go to the US government,” Trump said, predicting billions would flow into a Treasury Department account for use on initiatives “positive for the country.”
Replacing the EB-5 Visa System
The gold card is intended to replace the existing EB-5 investor visa program, which Congress introduced in 1990.
Under EB-5, applicants could gain permanent residency by investing roughly $1 million into a US company that employs at least ten people.
Trump’s new scheme removes references to job creation requirements and overall program caps, leaving the details on corporate applicants less clear.
The revised pricing also represents a significant change from his initial $5 million proposal.
Targeting the Best and Brightest
The president cited complaints from business leaders frustrated by US immigration rules.
“You can’t hire people from the best colleges because you don’t know whether or not you can keep the person,” Trump said, pointing to difficulties in recruiting foreign graduates.
While Trump’s political career has been associated with hardline immigration policies and border crackdowns, the gold card reflects a more selective approach to welcoming skilled immigrants.
Ensuring Qualified Applicants
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick explained that each application will include a $15,000 vetting fee and a rigorous background check.
“We want to make sure these people absolutely qualify to be in America,” he said.
Companies can obtain multiple cards but are limited to one employee per card.
Lutnick also emphasized that the program seeks to improve the quality of immigrants compared with current green card holders, noting that many earn below-average salaries.
“Same visas, but now just full of the best people,” he added.
Joining a Global Trend
Investor visas, often called “golden visas,” are offered by many countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Malta, Australia, Canada, and Italy.
Trump suggested the US gold card program will similarly target elite talent from top universities, highlighting graduates from China, India, and France as potential candidates.
“The companies are going to be very happy,” Trump said, promising that this initiative will bring highly qualified individuals into the US workforce.
Balancing Revenue and Immigration Goals
Trump’s gold card program aims to serve dual purposes: boosting the economy through significant federal revenue while making the United States a destination for the most capable global talent.
Business leaders and government officials alike expressed optimism that the initiative could provide both financial and intellectual benefits to the country.
Whether the program will face scrutiny over its pricing, eligibility criteria, or broader immigration impact remains to be seen, but the rollout marks a notable shift in Trump’s approach to skilled immigration.
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