Trump’s ‘Gold Card’ Program Launches, Offering U.S. Visas Starting at $1 Million

President Donald Trump on Wednesday unveiled his long-promised “gold card” program, a new immigration pathway offering legal status and eventual U.S. citizenship to individuals who pay $1 million, and to corporations that pay $2 million per foreign-born employee. Applications opened immediately via a newly launched government website as Trump announced the initiative alongside business leaders in the White House’s Roosevelt Room.

The program is designed to replace the EB-5 investor visa system created in 1990, which allowed foreign nationals to obtain green cards by investing roughly $1 million in a business that created at least 10 jobs. Trump pitched the gold card as a streamlined, revenue-generating alternative that would help the United States attract and retain top global talent. He previously floated a price tag of $5 million per card before settling on the current fee structure.

All revenue collected, he said, will “go to the U.S. government,” predicting the Treasury Department could receive billions “to do things positive for the country.”

Though labeled a “gold card,” the new document functions as a green card—granting permanent residency and a future path to citizenship. “Basically, it’s a green card but much better,” Trump said. “Much more powerful, a much stronger path.”

Unlike the EB-5 program, Trump’s announcement included no mention of job-creation requirements or caps on the number of cards issued. Instead, he emphasized complaints from companies unable to retain top graduates from U.S. universities because of immigration barriers. “You can’t hire people from the best colleges because you don’t know whether or not you can keep the person,” he said.

The rollout comes despite Trump’s administration continuing its aggressive deportation campaigns and immigration crackdowns—policies that have shaped much of his political identity. At the same time, he has faced criticism from figures within his own “Make America Great Again” movement for suggesting that the U.S. should welcome more skilled immigrants, a gap the gold card could help fill.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the program includes a $15,000 vetting fee to support extensive background checks. Corporations can apply for multiple cards, though each card will be issued to only one individual. Lutnick argued that current green card holders earn less than the average American and that the new system aims to bring in “the best people.”

Investor visas, or “golden visas,” are already common in countries such as the U.K., Spain, Greece, Canada, and Australia. Trump said the U.S. version would attract “tremendous people,” highlighting top graduates from China, India, and France as examples of potential recipients.

“The companies are going to be very happy,” he added.