President Donald Trump has introduced a new scheme offering fast-tracked US visas to wealthy foreigners willing to pay at least $1 million. He described the initiative as a âdirect path to citizenship for all qualified and vetted people,â saying it would help American companies retain highly valuable talent.
The programme, known as the Trump Gold Card, provides a US visa to applicants who can demonstrate they will offer a âsubstantial benefitâ to the country. Its launch comes as Washington ramps up immigration restrictions, including raising work visa fees and deporting undocumented migrants at a faster pace.
According to the programmeâs website, the Gold Card promises US residency in ârecord time.â The $1 million fee serves as proof of the applicantâs economic contribution, while businesses sponsoring employees must pay $2 million, along with additional charges.
A premium âplatinumâ version, offering tax incentives, will soon be available for $5 million. Applicants must also pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee before their application is reviewed. Extra government fees may be added depending on each case. Promotional material for the card features the slogan âUnlock life in Americaâ alongside an image of the card displaying Trumpâs portrait.
The scheme has drawn criticism since its announcement in February. Some Democrats argue that it unfairly benefits the wealthy, contrasting it with the traditional green card system, which is open to applicants across different income levels. While green card holders typically become eligible for citizenship after five years, the Gold Card targets âhigh-levelâ professionals whom Trump describes as âproductive.ââThe people that can pay $5 million, theyâre going to create jobs,â Trump said, insisting the programme would be highly popular.
The launch coincides with the administrationâs broader immigration actions, including a pause on applications from 19 countriesâmostly in Africa and the Middle Eastâcovered by the presidentâs travel ban. The government has also halted all decisions on asylum cases and is reviewing thousands approved under former President Joe Biden.
In September, Trump signed an order introducing a $100,000 fee for applicants to the H-1B skilled worker visa programme. The announcement sparked concern among foreign students and technology firms, although the White House later clarified that the fee applies only to new applicants currently outside the United States.
