A $1 Million Dollars for Green Card: Trump’s New Gold Card Sparks Global Frenzy
President Donald Trump’s administration officially launched the “Trump Gold Card” visa program, allowing wealthy individuals to obtain expedited U.S. permanent residency by paying a $1 million contribution following approval and background checks. Corporations can also sponsor foreign employees for $2 million each. Advocates hail the move as a way to attract global talent and generate government revenue, while critics call it a controversial “pay-to-stay” policy that favors the wealthy and may face legal challenges.
Ama Boah
Gold Card Visa
President Donald Trump on December 10–11, 2025 formally launched a bold and contentious new immigration program, the Trump Gold Card designed to offer wealthy foreign nationals and corporate sponsors a fast-tracked route to U.S. permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship.
The initiative, unveiled at a White House event with business leaders and administration officials, introduces a financial pathway to U.S. residency: after passing background vetting and paying a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee, applicants approved under the program are required to make a $1 million “contribution” to the U.S. government to receive the Gold Card. Businesses wishing to secure status for foreign workers must pay $2 million per employee.
What the Program Offers
According to the official description, the Gold Card functions much like a traditional green card, granting lawful permanent resident status that allows holders to live and work in the United States indefinitely and opens a pathway to citizenship after a period of residency. The program is structured to expedite visa processing, with officials claiming the process could be completed far more rapidly than through conventional visa categories.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized that the program includes extensive background checks and is aimed at individuals and companies that “affirmatively benefit” the nation. The administration has also teased a premium tier, the “Platinum Card” which would require a $5 million contribution and provide additional benefits, such as extended stays without U.S. tax on foreign income.
Intended Goals
The Trump administration frames the Gold Card as a competitive tool to attract global talent, benefit U.S. businesses, and generate revenue for the federal government. Trump has publicly argued that current visa pathways are not efficient enough to retain top graduates and skilled professionals from institutions like U.S. universities, noting that companies often lose promising hires due to visa bottlenecks.
Supporters also say the program will bring a significant financial boost to federal coffers and has strong backing from some corporate leaders. Trump’s social media posts have touted the initiative as a “direct path to citizenship” for qualified applicants and crucial to helping American companies retain invaluable international talent.
Criticism & Legal Questions
Despite its proponents, the Gold Card program has drawn sharp criticism from immigration experts, advocates, and some lawmakers. Critics argue the policy effectively allows wealthy individuals to buy a route to U.S. residency, creating a two-tiered immigration system that favors the ultra-rich over ordinary immigrants. They also warn it could be vulnerable to abuse, including potential risks of corruption and money-laundering.
Legal scholars have questioned whether the president has the authority to create a fundamentally new visa category without specific approval from Congress, which constitutionally holds the power to regulate immigration. Opponents say the policy may conflict with existing immigration law and could be challenged in court.
Context and Backdrop
The Gold Card is partly seen as a successor to the older EB-5 investor visa program, which also required about a $1 million investment but included job-creation requirements. Under the new scheme, there are no mandated employment conditions tied to the payment, and it applies more broadly to wealthy individuals and corporate nominees.
The launch also occurs amid a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration, which has combined tough enforcement measures with selective efforts to attract high-earning foreigners.
What Comes Next
Applications are now being accepted through the official portal, Trumpcard.gov. The long-term effects of the Gold Card program on immigration patterns, labor markets, and U.S. competitiveness remain uncertain and are likely to be debated vigorously in legal, political, and economic circles in the months ahead.
Source:
The Guardian/ Washington Post/ AP News
