Trump Administration Moves Forward with $1 Million Gold Card Visa Program
The U.S. government is advancing a new Gold Card visa initiative which would grant permanent residency to foreign nationals who contribute $1 million directly to the U.S. Treasury. The program is intended to replace the existing EB-5 investor visa system which has faced criticism over fraud and administrative inefficiencies.
The draft application form for the Gold Card visa is currently under federal review marking a significant step toward formalizing the policy announced under the Trump administration.
The Gold Card plan aims to streamline investor-based immigration. Unlike the EB-5 program which requires investing in specific U.S. businesses and creating jobs, the Gold Card ties permanent residency directly to a financial contribution. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has criticized the EB-5 program as being full of nonsense, make-believe and fraud highlighting the need for a more secure and straightforward process.
Applicants begin by submitting a formal request to the U.S. Department of Commerce along with a $15,000 non-refundable fee. They then file Form I-140G with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services declaring the lawful origin of their funds. Successful applicants typically complete consular processing overseas before being admitted as lawful permanent residents. Guidance for individuals already in the U.S. is still pending.
The Gold Card visa is already attracting attention from wealthy individuals worldwide. Reports suggest a Platinum Card tier may also be introduced requiring a $5 million contribution and offering benefits such as longer stay periods and favorable tax treatment on foreign income.
The program represents a major shift in U.S. immigration policy linking permanent residency directly to financial contribution rather than job creation.
