Trump Rolls Out Gold Card: Premium Immigration Route With $1M Price Tag
Trump Launches ‘Gold Card’: New $1 Million Fast-Track Route to U.S. Citizenship Unveiled at White House: U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday officially launched the much-anticipated Gold Card, a new immigration pathway he claims will offer a “direct route” to American citizenship for eligible applicants. The announcement was made during a meeting with top business leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.
Ahead of the formal launch, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the “Trump Gold Card” had finally arrived, calling it “a direct path to citizenship for all eligible and verified individuals.” He added that U.S. companies would now be able to retain valuable foreign talent more easily, promising that the application website would go live within 30 minutes.
“Better than the Green Card,” says Trump
Speaking at the launch event, Trump described the new program as “somewhat like a Green Card, but with bigger benefits.” He said companies would now have the option to purchase Gold Cards to keep skilled individuals in the United States.
Trump emphasized that many highly educated individuals — including those from India, China, and France — are forced to leave the U.S. after graduation due to visa limitations. The Gold Card, he said, is intended to stop that “talent drain.”
“This is a gift to bring some of the best people to our country,” Trump said. He also claimed the program would generate “billions of dollars” for the U.S. Treasury.
What Is the Trump Gold Card?
According to program details, the Gold Card provides a new route to a U.S. visa and, ultimately, citizenship. The program involves two payments:
- $15,000 DHS background-check and processing fee
- $1 million post-verification award
Applicants must:
- Qualify for lawful permanent residence
- Be eligible for entry into the United States
- Have a visa number available during processing
The plan is designed to attract individuals believed to offer maximum potential benefit to the United States.
Strict Vetting Promised
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the $15,000 vetting fee would fund an extensive background-check process to ensure only eligible individuals are approved. Lutnick added that companies will be allowed to issue multiple Gold Cards, though each card is tied to a single individual.
With the program now officially live, the administration claims it will streamline immigration for high-skilled individuals while giving American companies new flexibility in talent retention.
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