Trump Announced $5 Million “Gold Card” for Wealthy Elites to Obtain Fast-Track U.S. Residency
In a stunning move, President Donald Trump has announced the launch of a new “Gold Card” visa program, offering permanent U.S. residency and a direct path to citizenship—for a jaw-dropping price of $5 million.
Standing in the Oval Office on Tuesday, flanked by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Trump declared the program as a “game-changer for America’s economy.” The initiative aims to replace the existing EB-5 investor visa and attract high-net-worth individuals willing to invest directly in the U.S. government for residency privileges.
“Wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card. They’ll be successful, they’ll be paying a lot of taxes, and employing a lot of people,” Trump said confidently.
A $5M Path to US Citizenship—But for Whom?
The Gold Card, described as a “green card plus”, offers an expedited path to U.S. citizenship for those who can afford the eye-watering price tag. Unlike the EB-5 visa, which required investors to put $1 million into job-creating businesses, the Gold Card will involve a direct $5 million payment to the U.S. Treasury.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, defending the high price, stated:
“This will eliminate the fraud and nonsense of the EB-5 program. The Gold Card is clean, direct, and benefits the U.S. economy.”
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While many nations, including Canada, Australia, the U.K., and Malta, have similar “Golden Visa” programs, the U.S. has traditionally maintained strict residency pathways. The introduction of this ultra-exclusive residency-for-cash scheme marks a radical shift in American immigration policy.
A Billion-Dollar Cash Grab or a Bold Economic Strategy?
Trump mused that the Gold Card could help reduce the national deficit if just 10,000 were sold, generating a staggering $50 billion in revenue.
“This could be huge—maybe fantastic! We sell a million of these, and America wins,” he added.
Critics argue that the policy commercializes U.S. residency and opens the door to wealthy elites and possibly questionable figures looking for a safe financial haven. A 2023 OECD report warned that golden visas globally have been exploited by criminals and corrupt officials to launder money and evade justice.
When asked about Russian oligarchs applying for the Gold Card, Trump responded:
“Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people.”
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No Congressional Approval? How the Gold Card Could Bypass Legal Hurdles
Surprisingly, Trump stated that the Gold Card does not require congressional approval. While Congress typically determines citizenship qualifications, Trump believes this program is an executive action that will replace the EB-5 visa within two weeks.
However, legal experts caution that bypassing Congress on an immigration policy of this scale could lead to significant legal challenges.
Public Reaction: Outrage, Excitement, and Unanswered Questions
The announcement has triggered mixed reactions across the country:
✅ Supporters hail it as a brilliant move to bring in high-value investors and create jobs.
❌ Critics slam it as “selling American residency to the highest bidder.”
Many are left wondering:
- Who qualifies for the Gold Card? No details have been given on nationality restrictions.
- Will there be background checks? Trump claims “vetting” will be involved, but specifics remain unclear.
- How many will be issued? The administration has not set a cap on the number of Gold Cards available.
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