Donald Trump has launched a new immigration program that allows wealthy foreign nationals to effectively buy a fast-track U.S. residency visa for US$1 million, with an even more lucrative “platinum” tier to follow. Branded the “Trump Gold Card,” the scheme offers what Trump described on social media as “a direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people,” saying it would help American companies retain “invaluable talent.”
According to an official government webpage, applicants can secure U.S. residency “in record time” once they pay a US$15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), pass security and background checks, and transfer US$1 million. Under a September executive order, individuals must pay US$1 million, while businesses sponsoring an employee must pay US$2 million. Companies are also required to pay a 1 per cent annual maintenance fee of US$20,000 and a 5 per cent transfer fee of US$100,000 each time they move the visa from one employee to another.
The program is being rolled out as the Trump administration escalates efforts to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, drawing sharp criticism for appearing to sell privileged access to residency while tightening the door on poorer migrants. Critics say it clashes with America’s traditional image as a refuge for the disadvantaged rather than a haven for the ultra-wealthy.
A higher tier, the “Trump Platinum Card,” is “coming soon,” according to the site. For US$5 million, cardholders would be allowed to spend up to 270 days a year in the United States without being subject to U.S. taxes on their non-U.S. income. Trump has claimed that revenues from the program will be directed into “an account where we can do things positive for the country,” predicting it would generate “many billions of dollars.”
The gold card concept was first floated in February at a higher price point of US$5 million, but the cost has since been slashed to US$1 million, potentially making it more competitive than similar “golden visa” schemes abroad. New Zealand, for example, offers a comparable program costing close to US$3 million and has reportedly seen strong interest from wealthy Americans since Trump’s re-election.
Defending the initiative, Trump argued that the program would bring in affluent, “very successful” individuals who would pay to enter the U.S. rather than “walking over the borders.” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem praised the scheme on social media, saying that under the initiative, vetted individuals and corporations contributing US$1 million and US$2 million respectively would receive expedited EB-1 or EB-2 green cards after “rigorous vetting.”
Supporters frame the program as a tool to attract capital and high-skilled talent. Opponents see it as a “pay to jump the line” system that monetizes access to U.S. residency, further widening the divide between wealthy migrants and those with far fewer resources.
