The Trump administration plans to introduce a Gold Card visa program that allows foreign nationals to obtain residency permits by investing $5 million. The official website for Gold Card applications, TrumpCard.gov, was launched on Thursday, June 12.
The Gold Card visa program follows a pre-registration and review process, although applications are not yet open. The newly launched website is simple, allowing interested individuals to provide their name, region of origin, the type of visa they are applying for, and email address. The full application process for the Gold Card has not been disclosed, but the investment amount is set at $5 million, with funds going directly to the federal treasury without refunds, financial returns, or job creation requirements. It is reported that on the day the website went live, thousands of high-net-worth individuals registered.
President Trump took to social media to announce, “Thousands of people are calling to inquire about how to sign up to embark on the path to the greatest country and market in the world.” In April, Trump unveiled the Gold Card visa for the first time aboard Air Force One, holding a sample card bearing his portrait and the investment amount.
Commerce Secretary Lutenick stated that the Gold Card visa is an upgraded version of the EB-5 investor visa, bringing talented individuals who can create employment opportunities while also helping to reduce the fiscal deficit.
Currently, the EB-5 investor visa in the U.S. requires investments ranging from $800,000 to $1.05 million in designated projects, with a requirement to create at least 10 full-time jobs. The investment can be repaid after five years, but it carries market risks. The EB-5 investor visa program allows foreign investors in U.S. businesses to obtain a green card and become legal permanent residents. The Gold Card eliminates employment and repayment conditions, opting instead for a high one-time donation to acquire residency status, positioning it more like a “buy a passport” model targeting ultra-high-net-worth individuals.