Trump introduces $1M ‘Gold Card’ Visa Program Promising Faster U.S. Residency

The new program offers wealthy foreign applicants expedited green-card-level residency for hefty fees, raising both revenue hopes and immigration concerns.

The "Trump Gold Card" visa program was formally introduced by President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday. It provides non-citizens a method for getting expedited permission to live in the US for a high cost.

Interested candidates can pay a fifteen thousand dollar fee to the Department of Homeland Security for expedited processing through the website Trumpcard.gov, which has an "apply now" option.

In order to obtain the visa, which is equivalent to a "green card" and permits them to live and work in the United States, applicants must first undergo a background check or vetting process and then make a $1 million contribution the website also refers to this as a gift.

It's basically a green card, but it's much better. Trump told reporters at the White House, "Much more powerful, a much stronger path." A path is really important. They must be great individuals.

During the previous registration period, around ten thousand individuals registered for the trump gold card requirements, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and he expected many more. In an interview with Reuters, Lutnick stated, he would expect over time that they sell, people know, thousands of these cards and raise, you know, billions and billions of dollars.

According to Lutnick, the trump gold card program would attract people who could benefit the US economy. He compared that with average Green Card holders, who he said made less money than the average American and were more likely to be on or have family members on public assistance. He did not support his assertion with any evidence.

Hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants have been deported by Trump's administration, which has also taken steps to deter legal immigration.

The Gold Card program is Trump's vision of a counterbalance to that, designed to bring in money for the U.S. Treasury in the same manner that the reality television host and former New York businessman says his tariff program has been effective.