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The administration of President Donald Trump officially announced the launch of the Gold Trump Card program, a new immigration pathway that allows wealthy individuals and companies to obtain permanent residency in the United States in exchange for a hefty financial fee, in a move aimed at attracting investments and "talents" according to the administration's description.
🏛️ Program Background and Legal Framework
The official announcement of the Gold Card came after months of planning:
· Initial Announcement: President Trump first revealed the idea in February 2025.
· Executive Order: Trump signed an official executive order (No. 14351) on September 19, 2025, directing the creation of the program. The order instructs three departments (Commerce, Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs) to implement it within 90 days.
· Stated Goal: The executive order specifies that the program aims to "prioritize the acceptance of foreigners who will benefit the nation positively," including successful entrepreneurs and investors, as part of a broader policy to restrict other forms of immigration.
💰 Financial Details and Types of Cards
The program consists of different levels, each linked to a specific financial amount:
• Individual Gold Card
· Cost: One million dollars paid as an "unrestricted gift" to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
· Processing Fee: $15,000 non-refundable fee.
· Advantage: Obtaining permanent residency (Green Card) through "EB-1" or "EB-2" visas usually designated for individuals with extraordinary abilities or high qualifications.
• Corporate Gold Card
· Cost: Two million dollars paid by the company to sponsor a foreign employee.
· Processing Fee: $15,000.
· Advantage: Accelerating the process for the desired employee to obtain permanent residency to work in the American company.
📝 Application Procedures and Expected Timeline
The official website of the program (trumpcard.gov) will open for applications starting from the announcement date (December 10, 2025).
Application Stages:
1. Fee Payment: A processing fee of $15,000 must be paid upon application.
2. Security Screening: Applications are subject to scrutiny and security screening by the Department of Homeland Security.
3. Final Payment: If initial approval is granted, the applicant must pay one million dollars (or two million for companies).
4. Visa Interview: An interview must be attended at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, and any additional documents must be submitted.
• Expected Duration: The government indicates that the entire process may take only weeks to obtain permanent residency, a duration considered "standard" compared to traditional pathways that take years.
🎯 Goals and Expected Revenues
The U.S. administration presents this program as an initiative achieving several objectives:
· Attracting Capital and Talent: The program is presented as a means to attract wealthy individuals and "exceptional" individuals to bolster the American economy and help companies retain outstanding foreign students after graduation.
· Funding for the General Treasury: Officials, based on estimates from the Department of Commerce, expect the Gold Card program to generate over $100 billion, while the Platinum Card program may yield about a trillion dollars in federal revenue. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated in February that the plan could raise up to a trillion dollars to pay down the national debt.
⚖️ Controversy and Legal Criticisms
The program has faced sharp criticism from immigration experts and political opponents, notably:
· Legal Issues: Experts question the legality of creating the program via an executive order, as establishing a new visa pathway typically requires Congressional approval and the enactment of legislation. They warn that any subsequent court ruling declaring the program illegal could jeopardize applicants' funds and may even lead to the revocation of their residency or citizenship.
· Visa Pathway: The program relies on "EB-1" and "EB-2" visas designated for individuals with extraordinary global achievements (such as Nobel Prize winners) or holders of advanced degrees. Critics argue that converting it to a pathway based solely on wealth deprives the individuals these visas were designed for and undermines the economy in the long run.
· Ethical and Political Criticisms: Critics argue that the program creates a wealth-based immigration system at a time when the administration tightens policies against asylum seekers and migrants from poor countries. Trump's statement about being open to granting cards to wealthy Russians ("oligarchs") raised potential corruption concerns.
• United States (Traditional EB-5 Program): Investment ($800,000 - $1,050,000) with the creation of 10 jobs.
What distinguishes the Trump program is the nature of payment as a direct "gift" to the government, without requiring investment in a business project or the creation of specific jobs as in the traditional American "EB-5" program.
🔮 Summary and Future Expectations
The launch of the "Trump Gold Card" represents a paradigm shift in American immigration policy by opening the door for permanent immigration for the wealthy in exchange for a direct financial contribution. While the administration promotes it as a source of revenue and a mechanism to attract talent, it raises fundamental questions about fairness, legitimacy, and the future direction of the immigration community in the United States. Legal challenges and further executive details are expected to remain at the forefront in the coming months.
