Foreign nationals with deep pockets will soon be able to register for a new “Trump Gold Card” visa, granting them permanent residency and work rights in the United States, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The official launch is expected within a week, with a dedicated website, Trumpcard.gov, being prepared for applicants.
Speaking at the Axios “Building the Future” event in Washington, DC, Lutnick confirmed that registration will open soon and additional program details will follow in the coming weeks. The gold card, which requires a $5 million investment, is positioned as a new path to a US green card and eventual citizenship, superseding the current EB-5 visa program that requires a smaller investment threshold.
The EB-5 program, which has granted green cards in exchange for investments starting at $900,000 in distressed areas or $1.8 million elsewhere, will be phased out if the gold card initiative moves forward. Lutnick noted that during a recent visit to the Middle East, he encountered significant interest in the new visa, with many high-net-worth individuals expressing a desire to participate.
“Basically, everyone I meet who is not an American is going to want to buy this card if they have the fiscal capacity,” Lutnick said. The Trump Gold Card, first proposed by President Donald Trump in February, will allow wealthy investors to buy permanent residency in the US for $5 million, with a clear path to citizenship. Trump touted the plan earlier this year, emphasizing its appeal to affluent global citizens.
Immigration experts, however, have pointed out that implementing a new visa program of this scale would require Congressional approval. Despite the legal hurdles, Lutnick argued that the initiative could provide a substantial boost to the US economy, and potentially help pay down the nation’s $36 trillion federal debt. “If there are 200,000 people who pay, that’s a trillion dollars. That pays for everything,” Lutnick stated.
Not all details of the program have been finalized, but the administration hopes to attract a wave of new investment and high-value individuals seeking to make the US their new home. As anticipation builds, observers are watching closely to see how the proposal develops and whether it will reshape the landscape of US immigration policy.
