US President Donald Trump has introduced a new $5 million “gold card” immigration visa, offering wealthy foreign investors permanent residency in the United States.
Announced during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump referred to the card as the “Trump card.” This new visa option provides permanent residency and a path to citizenship in exchange for a $5 million investment, replacing the current EB-5 visa program.
While showcasing the card, Trump said, “For $5 million, this could be yours. That was the first of the cards. You know what that card is? It’s the gold card—the Trump card.” He also mentioned that the US would begin issuing the card in less than two weeks. When asked who the first buyer was, Trump jokingly replied, “It’s me. It’s pretty exciting, right?”
The Gold Card initiative aims to boost economic growth through high-level foreign investment. The administration plans to phase out the EB-5 visa program, which requires a $1 million investment and the creation of at least ten jobs. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized the EB-5 program, calling it “full of nonsense, make-believe, and fraud,” while praising the new Gold Card as a way to attract “world-class global citizens.”
Trump highlighted the economic potential of the program, estimating that selling one million Gold Cards could generate $5 trillion in revenue, helping to address the nation’s $35 trillion debt. Although the card does not provide immediate citizenship, it grants lawful residency with the possibility of citizenship after five years, pending verification of the applicant’s status.
More information on the application process and criteria will be released in the coming weeks.
