VOI World/ Simran Kaur
US President Donald Trump has launched the Trump $1mn Gold Card visa scheme, a controversial new programme designed to provide an expedited pathway to US residency for wealthy foreign applicants. The scheme went live with the rollout of an official federal website, which allows interested individuals to apply after paying a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security.
Once applicants clear a background and security vetting process, they must make a mandatory contribution of at least $1 million as evidence of significant benefit to the United States. Upon approval, Gold Card holders receive immigration status comparable to EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories, enabling permanent residency and a long-term pathway to citizenship.
The programme also includes a corporate track, allowing US employers to pay $2 million per foreign-born employee to retain high-skilled talent graduating from American universities. Immediate family members may be included, subject to additional screening and fees. The initiative effectively modernises the investor-visa model previously associated with EB-5 programmes.
Trump administration officials have promoted the scheme as a tool to attract global talent, strengthen competitiveness and generate additional federal revenue. Supporters argue it creates a streamlined, market-driven alternative to traditional visa processes. Critics, however, warn that the programme privileges the wealthy, risks bypassing congressional oversight and may raise legal and ethical concerns regarding fairness and access.
Applications opened immediately upon launch, with the government maintaining that all security and immigration protocols remain in place. A more premium “Platinum Card,” priced at $5 million and offering extended benefits, is under consideration pending further approvals.
