Washington, D.C. – In a bold economic move, President Donald Trump has unveiled a new “Gold Card” visa program aimed at wealthy immigrants, allowing them to secure permanent U.S. residency and a path to citizenship for a fee of $5 million (£3.9 million) per applicant.
According to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, during an appearance on the ‘All-In Podcast’, the initiative has already proven highly lucrative. According to Financial Express, If 1,000 cards are sold within the first 24 hours, it could generate an unprecedented $5 billion for the federal budget. Trump has touted the program as a strategic measure to reduce the U.S. national debt, which currently stands at over $36 trillion.
Trump’s administration projects that if 1 million “Gold Cards” are sold, the program could generate a staggering $5 trillion, making it one of the most ambitious immigration and financial strategies in U.S. history. Reports suggest that 37 million high-net-worth individuals worldwide could potentially afford and be interested in purchasing the visa.
In his announcement, President Trump emphasized that the funds raised from the program would be directed towards paying down U.S. national debt and strengthening the economy.
“We are introducing the Gold Card as a way for the wealthiest and most talented individuals in the world to invest in America and become part of our great nation. This will help fix our budget, grow our economy, and keep America great,” Trump stated.
The Gold Card visa is set to replace the long-standing EB-5 investor visa program, which was originally designed to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. The EB-5 program, established in 1990, has been widely criticized for corruption, fraud, and misuse.
According to Howard Lutnick, the new Gold Card visa offers a higher price and greater accountability compared to the EB-5 visa.
“The EB-5 program was full of nonsense, make-believe, and fraud. It was a way to get a green card at a low price. The Gold Card program is different—it’s transparent, and it will genuinely benefit the U.S. economy,” Lutnick said.
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Who Are the Potential Buyers?
The Gold Card is expected to appeal to wealthy business figures, high-net-worth entrepreneurs, and global investors looking for easier U.S. residency pathways. Given its hefty price tag, the program will likely exclude middle-class investors, making it a more elite and exclusive residency route.
Experts believe that the Chinese, Middle Eastern, and European ultra-rich will be among the top applicants, given their history of investing in U.S. real estate and business ventures.
Economic and Political Reactions
While the Trump administration has championed the move as an innovative financial strategy, critics argue that it commodifies U.S. citizenship, creating a two-tier immigration system that favors the wealthy.
Opponents, including immigration advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers, have expressed concerns that the program prioritizes the ultra-rich over hardworking skilled immigrants, who currently face lengthy and bureaucratic pathways to citizenship.
Despite the criticism, the massive revenue potential of the Gold Card visa may make it one of the most impactful immigration programs in U.S. history. If the projections hold, the U.S. could sell off citizenship at an unprecedented scale, setting a new standard for investment-based immigration.
As the Trump administration continues its push for economic-first immigration policies, the world watches to see whether the Gold Card visa program will be a success story or a controversial experiment in selling U.S. residency to the highest bidder.
