Trump launches & gold card; immigration visas

President Trump Launches $1 Million ‘Gold Card’ Visa Program for Wealthy Foreign Investors
Former President Donald Trump has unveiled a new immigration initiative offering fast-tracked U.S. residency to wealthy foreign applicants who can pay at least $1 million (£750,000). The program known as the Trump Gold Card promises a “direct path to citizenship for all qualified and vetted people,” Trump announced on social media on Wednesday.
According to the program’s official website, the Gold Card is designed for individuals who can show they will bring a “substantial benefit” to the United States. Promoted as a priority visa, it claims to deliver residency approval in “record time.”
The launch comes as Washington intensifies its broader immigration crackdown raising visa fees and accelerating deportation efforts targeting undocumented migrants.
Program Details and Pricing
Individual applicants must contribute $1 million described by the program as proof that they will substantially benefit the U.S. economy. Businesses sponsoring foreign employees are required to pay $2 million, along with additional fees.
A premium option the “Platinum Card” is expected soon and will cost $5 million. It advertises access to special tax incentives.
Applicants are also required to pay a non-refundable processing fee of $15,000 before the review process begins. The website notes that extra government charges may apply depending on each applicant’s circumstances.
Promotional images for the scheme show a gold-finished card featuring Trump’s portrait alongside the tagline “Unlock life in America.”
Criticism and Political Response
The Gold Card has faced criticism since its initial announcement earlier this year with Democratic lawmakers arguing that it unfairly favors wealthy individuals and resembles a “pay-to-play” approach to U.S. immigration.
When Trump first outlined the idea, he compared it to a green card, which is normally available to immigrants across income levels and offers a path to citizenship after five years. However, the Gold Card targets “high-level professionals,” Trump said, emphasizing productivity and economic contribution.
“The people that can pay $5 million, they’re going to create jobs,” Trump stated, calling the program “a bargain.”
Part of a Larger Immigration Shift
The launch coincides with a series of hardline immigration measures pursued by the Trump administration. The U.S. has paused immigration applications from individuals in 19 countries mostly in Africa and the Middle East still affected by the administration’s travel ban.
Authorities have also halted decisions on asylum applications and announced plans to review thousands of cases approved during President Joe Biden’s administration.
In September, Trump issued an order introducing a $100,000 fee for applicants to the H-1B visa program widely used by skilled foreign workers. The decision created significant concern among international students and major technology companies. The White House later clarified that the fee applies only to new applicants living outside the United States.