BREAKING NEWS🚨
Golden ticket to the US?
Applications go live for Trump's new $1 million visa.
(TNND) — Applications have gone live for the Trump Gold Card, which offers expedited visas for foreigners with the means to fork over $1 million plus vetting fees.
A company can also pay $2 million to sponsor a foreign employee to reside in the U.S.
“Basically, it's a green card, but much better, much more powerful, a much stronger path (to citizenship),” President Donald Trump said at a roundtable on Wednesday as the website and application portal launched. “And a path is a big deal. Have to be great people, but much stronger path.”
The Trump Gold Card website says a successful applicant will receive lawful permanent resident status as an EB-1 or EB-2 visa holder.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters at the roundtable that the Trump Gold Card is part of the already-approved visas.
“You know, the average green card holder earned less than the average American,” Lutnick said. “So, they were more likely to be on the dole and be on our assistance programs than average Americans. And the idea is from President Trump, he wants to raise it, bring in the best people into America."
The Commerce Department has said Trump’s Gold Card, announced Platinum Card, and updated H-1B programs are expected to generate $100 billion in revenue.
The government framed the $1 million fee required of Trump Gold Card recipients as a “gift” that demonstrates “evidence that the individual will substantially benefit the United States.”
Todd Belt, the Political Management program director at George Washington University, said other countries offer golden visas to attract wealthy foreigners.
“It's just that Trump is going bigger and bolder than ever before, as is Donald Trump” prone to do, Belt said.
“It allows Donald Trump to claim that he's making America rich again, which is what he ... wants to do,” Belt said. “It gives him something to point at. And when the accounts start filling up, something to say, ‘I've brought X amount of dollars into the country through this program.’”
But Belt said some Trump supporters haven’t liked the president’s support of H-1B skilled worker visas, saying they undercut American workers. And they might feel the same about the Trump Gold Card.
“A lot of the MAGA base wants the American-first agenda to be no immigration at all,” Belt said.
The Trump Gold Card initiative marks a significant development in the realm of US immigration policy, designed to attract affluent individuals by offering an accelerated route to permanent residency. This program, targeting candidates capable of investing $1 million alongside vetting fees, provides a rare opportunity under the EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories, which are traditionally reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities or advanced degrees. This approach aligns with a global trend where countries offer 'golden visas' to wealthy foreigners as a means to bolster investment and economic growth. Distinctively, the Trump Gold Card aims not only to attract capital but also to introduce immigrants deemed highly valuable based on economic criteria, reinforcing the narrative of enhancing the nation's workforce quality. From an economic perspective, the Trump administration expects these programs—including the Gold Card, the Platinum Card, and reformed H-1B visa schemes—to collectively generate close to $100 billion. This infusion could substantially benefit public finances and stimulate domestic business growth, provided the incoming immigrants fulfill the stipulations to contribute positively to the U.S. economy. The program has stirred various responses within political and public spheres. While proponents highlight the potential to "make America rich again" by drawing in substantial investments and top-tier talent, critics voice concerns about the program’s impact on native workers and traditional immigration pathways. Notably, some factions within the MAGA base, which promotes an American-first immigration stance, express apprehensions regarding increased immigration levels, fearing job competition and wage suppression. For applicants, the Trump Gold Card represents a "green card, but much stronger," offering a potentially faster path to citizenship compared to conventional methods. However, candidates must meet rigorous background checks and demonstrate how their presence will materially benefit the U.S., emphasizing the program's intent to welcome only those capable of substantial contributions. In summary, the Trump Gold Card visa program is a bold move, blending immigration with investment-driven policies. It presents a lucrative option for wealthy foreigners seeking expedited residency while aiming to strengthen U.S. economic and demographic frameworks. Potential applicants should carefully assess eligibility criteria and the associated financial commitments, and remain aware of the evolving political climate surrounding immigration reform in the United States.
