U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a new visa scheme offering wealthy foreigners a fast-tracked route to U.S. residency, and eventually citizenship for a minimum payment of $1 million.
Trump announced the Trump Gold Card on Wednesday, calling it a “direct path to citizenship for all qualified and vetted people,” and saying it would help American companies retain “invaluable talent.”
According to the program’s official website, the Gold Card is a special U.S. visa for individuals who can demonstrate they will provide a “substantial benefit” to the country.
The rollout comes as the Trump administration intensifies its immigration crackdown, including raising work-visa fees and deporting undocumented migrants.
The scheme promises residency approval in “record time.” Individual applicants must pay a $1 million fee, while U.S. companies sponsoring foreign employees will be required to pay $2 million.
A “platinum” tier — offering additional tax breaks — will launch soon for $5 million.
Applicants must also pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee, with possible additional government charges depending on their case.
The program, first announced earlier this year, has drawn criticism from Democrats who argue it gives undue advantage to the wealthy.
When Trump first unveiled the idea, he likened the card to a green card but stressed it is aimed at “high-level” professionals who are “productive.”
“The people that can pay $5 million, they’re going to create jobs,” Trump said. “It’s going to sell like crazy.”
The launch comes as the administration devotes significant resources to tightening immigration rules.
The U.S. has paused applications from 19 countries under Trump’s travel ban, halted decisions on asylum cases approved under President Joe Biden, and in September introduced a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B skilled-worker visa applicants — a move that initially alarmed students and tech firms before the White House clarified it applied only to new applicants abroad.
