U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a high-profile scheme offering fast-tracked U.S. visas to wealthy foreign nationals willing to pay at least $1 million (£750,000), according to announcements on social media and the programme’s official website. Dubbed the Trump Gold Card, the initiative promises a “direct path to citizenship” for qualified and vetted applicants, with the former president touting the scheme as a way to retain talent for American businesses.
“So exciting! Our Great American Companies can finally keep their invaluable talent,” Trump wrote on social media on Wednesday, highlighting the programme’s dual purpose of attracting capital and highly skilled individuals to the United States.
The Gold Card was initially announced earlier this year and is designed for individuals who can demonstrate that they will provide a “substantial benefit” to the U.S. economy or society. The programme’s website states that applicants must pay $1 million as evidence of their potential contribution. Applicants are also required to submit a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee before their applications are reviewed.
The initiative comes amid a period of intensified immigration enforcement in Washington, which has included raising fees for work visas, tightening eligibility criteria, and deporting undocumented migrants. The Gold Card programme is being marketed as a legal and expedited pathway for wealthy, highly skilled, or otherwise valuable foreigners to gain U.S. residency and eventual citizenship.
Businesses that wish to sponsor employees under the programme are required to pay $2 million, in addition to other potential fees depending on the circumstances of each applicant. According to the programme’s website, a “platinum” version of the card, offering special tax breaks, will also be introduced soon for a fee of $5 million, aimed at ultra-high-net-worth individuals and corporate sponsors seeking enhanced benefits.
The scheme has drawn attention not only for its substantial financial requirements but also for its promise of accelerated citizenship. While traditional U.S. visa and green card processes can take several years, the Gold Card programme claims to shorten timelines significantly for those who meet the criteria and complete the necessary payments.
Critics argue that the initiative raises questions about equity and fairness in U.S. immigration policy, noting that it prioritises wealth over other forms of contribution or merit. Some lawmakers have expressed concern that such programmes could create a two-tiered system where wealthy applicants receive preferential treatment, while ordinary skilled workers face long waits and stricter scrutiny.
Supporters, however, frame the Gold Card as a tool to attract foreign investment, talent, and expertise into the U.S. economy, which could help drive innovation and support key industries. They note that countries such as Canada and Portugal have implemented similar investor visa programmes successfully.
The Trump Gold Card programme is open to qualified and vetted applicants, with additional requirements outlined on the official website. Interested individuals and corporate sponsors are encouraged to review eligibility criteria carefully and prepare to provide detailed financial and professional documentation.
As the programme rolls out, it is expected to generate significant interest among high-net-worth foreigners seeking U.S. residency while raising broader debates about the role of money in immigration policy and the balance between national security, economic benefit, and fairness.
