WASHINGTON — In a move already stirring global debate, President Donald Trump’s administration has introduced the “Trump Gold Card” visa program — a premium, ultra-fast pathway to U.S. residency for non-citizens willing to make a $1 million contribution to the federal government.
The program officially went live Wednesday on the newly launched Trumpcard.gov portal, where applicants can now submit their details, pay a $15,000 fast-track processing fee, and move into an accelerated vetting system managed by the Department of Homeland Security.
Once cleared, applicants must provide what the administration calls a “contribution” or “gift” of $1 million, unlocking access to a visa similar to a Green Card — but, as Trump describes it, “much more powerful.”
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump emphasized the exclusivity and prestige of the new program:
“Basically it’s a Green Card, but better. A stronger path. We want great people coming in.”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick revealed that interest is already surging. According to him, 10,000 individuals pre-registered even before the platform’s launch.
“I would expect we’d sell thousands of these cards and raise billions of dollars,” Lutnick told Reuters.
He added that the program is designed to bring in individuals who can “benefit the U.S. economy,” contrasting them with what he described as “average” Green Card holders — a statement he did not provide evidence for.
The introduction of the Gold Card comes at a time when the administration has been actively tightening both legal and illegal immigration channels. Yet this initiative appears to create a premium lane for the wealthy, a kind of financial counterbalance to broader immigration crackdowns.
There’s also a corporate tier of the program, offering U.S. companies expedited residency for foreign employees — at a hefty $2 million contribution per worker.
Behind the policy, analysts see a strategy similar to Trump’s tariff playbook: generating revenue while reshaping access to the U.S. in a way that aligns with his economic agenda.
