| Photo via TrumpCard.gov Website
WASHINGTON, DC — The Trump administration has formally launched its new “Gold Card” immigration program, opening a fast‑track pathway to U.S. permanent residency for wealthy foreign nationals and corporations willing to pay contributions of $1 million or more. A government website accepting applications went live on Wednesday afternoon, marking the program’s first time being operational.
President Donald Trump introduced the initiative during an event with business leaders at the White House, calling the Gold Card a more powerful version of the traditional green card. “Basically, it’s a green card but much better. Much more powerful, a much stronger path,” Trump said, arguing that the program will attract top global talent while generating significant revenue for the federal government.
How the Program Works
Under the program, individual applicants must pay a nonrefundable $15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security, undergo expedited vetting, and then make a $1 million “gift” to the U.S. government upon approval. The administration says successful applicants could receive permanent residency “in record time,” with processing potentially taking only weeks.
Corporations may also participate by paying $2 million per sponsored employee, plus the same DHS processing fee. Companies may transfer a Gold Card from one employee to another for a 5 percent fee, a feature officials say will help employers retain high‑skilled workers in competitive fields.
“All funds go to the United States government — it could be a tremendous amount of money,” Trump said, predicting that the program could generate “billions of dollars” for the Treasury.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the program includes a rigorous vetting process to ensure applicants meet eligibility standards. The $15,000 fee, he said, covers background checks and security screening. “We make sure these people absolutely qualify to be in America,” Lutnick said, adding that the administration intends to shift employment‑based immigration toward higher‑earning applicants. “So, same visas, but now just full of the best people,” he said.
Part of a Global Trend
The United States is joining a growing list of countries offering so‑called “golden visas” or residency‑by‑investment programs, which grant residency rights in exchange for significant financial contributions. According to Global Citizen Solutions, at least 17 countries currently offer Golden Visa programs, including Portugal, Italy, Greece, Malta, and the United Arab Emirates. These programs typically require investments in real estate, government bonds, or national funds.
A separate analysis by Immigrant Invest lists 21 countries with active Golden Visa programs, including Hungary, Cyprus, Latvia, and several EU member states, with minimum investments ranging from €50,000 to several million euros.
Nomad Capitalist reports that 2025 has seen a tightening of Golden Visa rules worldwide, with countries such as Portugal and Spain removing real‑estate investment options and Ireland shutting down its program entirely. Remaining programs, the report notes, are shifting toward direct contribution models, similar to the U.S. approach.
The U.S. Gold Card is unusual in that it requires a direct “gift” to the government, rather than real‑estate purchases or business investments. Malta’s Permanent Residence Programme is one of the few comparable models, requiring contributions to a national fund rather than traditional investments.
Platinum Tier Also Offered
A higher‑tier “Platinum Card” is also being offered. For a $5 million contribution, foreign nationals may spend up to 270 days per year in the United States without paying federal taxes on non‑U.S. income, according to the government website. The Platinum Card waiting list is already open.
Visa Caps Still Apply
The Gold Card does not create new visa categories or increase annual visa caps. Recipients will be classified under existing EB‑1 or EB‑2 employment‑based visa categories, meaning applicants from countries with high demand may still face wait times based on visa availability.
Trump said he developed the program after hearing from business leaders who struggled to retain top graduates from U.S. universities because of visa limitations. “You can’t hire people from the best colleges because you don’t know whether or not you can keep the person,” he said, arguing that the Gold Card will help companies secure highly skilled workers who might otherwise leave the country.
Launch Amid Broader Immigration Overhaul
The launch comes as the administration continues to pursue aggressive immigration enforcement policies, including mass deportation operations and new restrictions on asylum. While these measures have drawn criticism from immigrant‑rights groups, Trump has also faced pushback from some supporters for promoting pathways for skilled immigrants. The Gold Card, he said, balances enforcement with economic competitiveness.
The government website, TrumpCard.gov, features images of the new card, which includes Trump’s official portrait alongside the Statue of Liberty and an eagle. The site instructs applicants to submit fees online and notes that additional State Department charges may apply depending on individual circumstances.
A family of four applying through the program would pay more than $4.6 million in combined fees and contributions, according to the website’s published structure.
The administration has not said how many Gold Cards it expects to issue annually, nor has it released projections on revenue or economic impact. But Trump said the program will “unlock life in America” for wealthy applicants while strengthening the nation’s fiscal position. “Our Great American Companies can finally keep their invaluable talent,” he wrote on Truth Social as the application portal opened.
