United States President Donald Trump has officially launched the $1m Gold Card immigration visa program on Wednesday.
The new $1m Gold Card immigration visa pathway offers expedited permanent residency to foreign nationals who make a substantial financial contribution to the U.S. government.
“A direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people. SO EXCITING! Our Great American Companies can finally keep their invaluable Talent,” Trump wrote on social media.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that an official government webpage promises U.S residency “in record time” with the new $1m Gold Card immigration visa.
For individuals, the cost structure includes a non-refundable $15,000 application fee followed by a one-time $1m contribution to the Department of Commerce upon approval.
Businesses sponsoring employees are required to pay $2m, along with additional fees. A “platinum” version of the card that offers special tax breaks will also be available soon for $5m, the website said.
The website added: “01 Submit Your Application
Your opportunity begins here, with your application and a nonrefundable processing fee. This is the first step to securing the Trump Gold Card.
“02 Careful Consideration
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services facilitates an in-depth background check and process to vet the potential cardholder.
“03 Approval
Once an applicant is approved, a Trump Gold Card will be available for use throughout all 50 states and territories.”
The official launch comes months after Trump first unveiled the proposal, which he touts as a solution for American companies struggling to retain highly skilled international graduates from U.S. universities.
During a White House roundtable with business executives, the President announced that the application portal is now live, ushering in a shift from traditional employment-based visas like the EB-5 program, which the Trump Gold Card Visa Program is largely expected to supplant.
“Essentially, we’re having people come in, people that, in many cases, I guess, are very successful or whatever,” the president said back in September. “They’re going to spend a lot of money to come in. They’re going to pay, as opposed to walking over the borders.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem praised the program on X, saying, “under this historic initiative, qualified individuals and corporations, who contribute $1 million and $2 million respectively, will receive expedited EB-1 or EB-2 green cards following rigorous vetting”.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that this is the latest immigration policy Trump is enacting.
The U.S. president, since assuming power in January 2025, has taken several steps on immigration.
