The Trump administration has officially launched a premium immigration visa program requiring a minimum investment of one million dollars, branded as the “Trump Gold Card.” Formally initiated through an executive order signed on September 19th, the program was personally announced by President Donald Trump at a White House roundtable and promoted on his Truth Social account as “SO EXCITING.
Prospective applicants must first submit a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to trigger an expedited eligibility review. The program’s website promises residency “in record time,” claiming processing can be completed in a matter of weeks. Upon approval, a mandatory $1 million “gift payment” is required as evidence the individual will “substantially benefit the United States.”
The program extends beyond individuals to corporate sponsorship. Companies can pay $2 million per employee to sponsor foreign workers, with a unique provision allowing the transfer of this payment to a new employee’s application without an additional fee if sponsorship ceases.
While similar to a Green Card in granting lawful permanent residence and a pathway to citizenship, the website compares its legal classification to EB-1 and EB-2 visas, noting final determination is “subject to availability” by DHS. All gift payments are directed to the Department of Commerce, not DHS or the State Department.
Additional financial burdens include the same $1 million payment and $15,000 fee applied to each family member of the primary applicant. The website also mentions potential additional fees from the State Department without clarifying if they are one-time or recurring. All cardholders will be subject to U.S. worldwide income tax, with a forthcoming “Trump Platinum Card” advertised to provide tax benefits on foreign income.
This initiative marks a stark contrast to the administration’s broader immigration policy, which has included revoking at least 85,000 visas in under a year and restricting pathways for poorer demographics. The website notes that Gold Card status can be revoked for national security or criminal risks.
The program has drawn immediate criticism, notably from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, who condemned it as “an illegal pay-to-play scheme that undermines our values and rewards wealth over hard work, talent, and a love for America.” He accused the president of “rolling out the welcome mat for Russian oligarchs and cartel bosses” instead of creating fair policies.