Trump Launches ‘Gold Card’ Visa Program Offering U.S. Residency for $5 Million Investment

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday officially launched a controversial new visa initiative dubbed the “Trump Card”, offering permanent residency to wealthy foreigners willing to invest $5 million in the United States. A government-supported website — trumpcard.gov — has gone live, allowing interested applicants to join a waitlist.

“FOR FIVE MILLION $DOLLARS, THE TRUMP CARD IS COMING!” Trump wrote on his platform, Truth Social. “Thousands have been calling and asking how they can sign up to ride a beautiful road in gaining access to the Greatest Country and Market anywhere in the World.”

What Is the ‘Trump Card’?

First announced in February, the “Trump Card” is marketed as an elevated version of a green card. According to Trump, it offers not only permanent residency but also a pathway to U.S. citizenship.

“We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million, and that’s going to give you green card privileges, plus it’s going to be a route to citizenship,” Trump said previously.

The official website features a sleek, gold-colored card with Trump’s face and invites applicants to enter their name, region, contact information, and whether they’re applying as individuals or businesses.

Support and Controversy

The program is designed to appeal to wealthy investors globally, aiming to boost economic inflows. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick backed the plan earlier this month, calling it “an enormous opportunity” and adding, “the ordinary path of immigration for America is changing.”

However, legal and political hurdles loom large.

Critics argue that the initiative mirrors — and may seek to replace — the existing EB-5 visa program, which already allows foreigners to obtain green cards through investment but at lower thresholds:

• $1.8 million investment in a U.S. business, or

• $900,000 in high-unemployment areas

• Plus job creation for at least 10 American workers
  Applicants also pay $100,000 to $200,000 in government processing fees.

Legal Questions Over Legitimacy

Legal experts and the State Department’s legal team have raised serious concerns. An internal memo, seen by Reuters, warns that the $5 million fee could violate Supreme Court precedent, as it greatly exceeds the actual cost of visa processing.

The memo further cautioned that the program is at “high risk” of being rejected by the White House’s budget office or challenged in court.

Adding to the controversy, Trump has stated he does not plan to seek Congressional approval, asserting that the program doesn’t directly confer citizenship, only a path toward it — though specific eligibility criteria remain undefined.