Former U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a contentious immigration proposal that allows affluent foreign nationals to obtain U.S. permanent residency more quickly by making a $1 million payment. The move stands in sharp contrast to his administration’s traditionally hardline immigration policies, creating a premium, fast-track option exclusively for those with significant financial resources.
Trump formally revealed the initiative—branded the “Trump Gold Card”—during a White House roundtable on Wednesday, the same day the federal government activated the official application website, trumpcard.gov.
Launched Wednesday afternoon, the site offers the first detailed public outline of the program, covering eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and associated fees.
Under the rules, applicants must first pay a $15,000 Department of Homeland Security processing fee and successfully clear a background screening before making the required $1 million contribution. Employers are also permitted to sponsor foreign workers under the scheme, though this route requires a $2 million payment.
The administration says approved applicants will receive lawful permanent resident status through the EB-1 or EB-2 visa pathways, which are normally limited to individuals with extraordinary accomplishments or exceptional professional abilities. Once submissions are complete, processing is projected to take just “weeks,” though applicants must still attend an in-person interview and may face extra State Department fees.
Premium tier already being floated
Even before the Gold Card is fully operational, officials are signaling a higher-end alternative. The proposed “Trump Platinum Card,” highlighted on the website, would permit eligible holders to remain in the U.S. for up to 270 days annually without paying U.S. taxes on foreign-sourced income. This tier would require the same $15,000 DHS fee alongside a $5 million contribution. Although no rollout date has been announced, interested applicants can register on a waitlist.
Wider immigration backdrop
The launch of the Gold Card coincides with one of the most aggressive immigration clampdowns of Trump’s tenure. Heightened security concerns—including the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.—have prompted the administration to tighten or shut down most legal and illegal entry channels.
Trump initially floated the idea in February, pitching it as a $5 million visa connected to eventual citizenship. A September executive order later finalized the framework, reducing the entry cost to $1 million.
Connection to existing visa systems
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the program is intended to reshape the long-standing EB-5 investor visa, which grants green card eligibility to foreign investors who support U.S. job-creating projects. Lutnick argues the revamped approach could generate as much as $1 trillion for the federal government while attracting what he describes as “top-tier talent.”
Immigration experts, however, point out that significant changes to the EB-5 program usually require congressional approval, casting uncertainty over how the new structure will be implemented.
Still, Trump has suggested that millions of Gold Cards could eventually be issued, pointing to a major shift in U.S. immigration policy—one where financial strength dramatically speeds up access as other routes become increasingly limited.
Earlier this year, Nairametrics reported on Trump’s original proposal for a $5 million “gold card” visa offering green card privileges and possible citizenship. The U.S. Sun also reported that Trump presents the plan as a strategy to attract high-net-worth individuals, arguing it would increase tax revenue and stimulate job creation.
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