U.S. President Donald Trump has opened a new online portal for the “Trump Gold Card,” a high-value residency initiative that offers benefits comparable to permanent residency for applicants willing to pay at least one million dollars.
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Trump announced the launch on Truth Social, writing, “THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TRUMP GOLD CARD IS HERE!”, and stating that the portal would go live later in the day. At the White House, he described the program as a “stronger pathway” than the existing green card system, adding that the Gold Card is “much better.”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the initiative seeks to prioritize applicants with higher earnings potential, claiming that current permanent residents earn less than the average U.S. worker and are more likely to seek public assistance. He stated that the new model aims to attract “the best.”
Trump launches “Trump Gold Card”, a new fast-track residency pathway requiring a $1M contribution + $15,000 fee
The White House says it will help retain top global talent, while critics warn it creates a wealth-based immigration system https://t.co/nNqWI4Z2mb
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 11, 2025
According to the portal, the Gold Card is available in three formats. The individual option requires a one-million-dollar payment, while the corporate version—aimed at companies retaining or relocating foreign talent—costs two million dollars. Both require a separate, non-refundable administrative fee of 15,000 dollars.
The administration also introduced the “Platinum Card,” a five-million-dollar premium tier described as offering additional benefits. In another post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “America’s great companies can finally retain their valuable talent.”
While the White House promotes the initiative as a tool to draw investment and highly qualified professionals, legal specialists warn that it may face regulatory scrutiny and raise ethical concerns due to its resemblance to “golden visa” systems used in other countries.
The proposal was first presented as a potential replacement for the EB-5 visa, created under the 1990 Immigration Act. That program grants permanent residency to foreign investors who make a significant investment in a U.S. enterprise and generate at least ten full-time jobs for American workers or immigrants with work authorization.
The administration argues that the new card system modernizes investment-linked immigration, while analysts note that its future may depend on regulatory review and broader public debate over pay-to-enter residency schemes.
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