Trump’s $5 Million “Gold Card” Visa Program Draws Global Investor Interest

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a premium “Gold Card” immigration initiative, offering residency to foreign nationals investing $5 million in the United States. Announced via the newly launched Trump.Card.gov platform, the program targets affluent individuals seeking U.S. residency and market access. Trump emphasized its appeal on Wednesday, stating, “Thousands have been calling and asking how they can sign up to ride a beautiful road in gaining access to the Greatest Country and Market anywhere in the World.” Though visas remain unavailable pending regulatory approval, the website allows potential applicants to submit preliminary interest under the banner “The Trump Card is Coming.”

Trump’s Golden Visa Program: High-Stakes Investment for U.S. Residency

First proposed in February, the Gold Card program aims to attract deep-pocketed investors by prioritizing U.S. residency pathways beyond traditional green cards. Trump explicitly noted eligibility for Russian oligarchs during the announcement, framing the initiative as a revenue generator to reduce the national deficit. “We’re going to be selling a gold card. You have a green card; this is a gold card,” he stated. The administration positions the program as mutually beneficial: wealthy entrants gain residency while stimulating job creation and economic growth. “They’ll be able to work and provide jobs and build companies. It’ll be people with money,” Trump added, distinguishing it from employment-based visas.

Overwhelming Demand and Economic Implications

By March, U.S. officials reported unprecedented interest. Howard Lutnick, a key advisor, confirmed 1,000 Gold Cards were reserved within 24 hours of the program’s soft launch. Research commissioned by the Trump administration estimates 37 million individuals globally meet the financial threshold for participation. Lutnick highlighted the program’s scalability: “Based on our projections, this could inject tens of billions into the U.S. economy while fast-tracking high-net-worth immigration.” Critics, however, question its equity compared to existing investor visas like the EB-5, which requires lower investments ($800,000–$1.05 million) but involves complex job-creation requirements.

Bold claims accompany the rollout, yet operational details—including approval timelines, investment mechanisms, and legal frameworks—remain undisclosed. Prospective applicants are urged to verify program legitimacy via official U.S. government channels before submitting personal data.

Must Know

What distinguishes Trump’s Gold Card from a standard green card?
The Gold Card offers prioritized U.S. residency for a $5 million investment, bypassing typical employment or family sponsorship requirements. Unlike green cards, which have multi-year waitlists, this program promises expedited processing for premium investors.

Can Russian citizens apply for this golden visa program?
Yes. President Trump explicitly confirmed Russian oligarchs’ eligibility during the February announcement, positioning the initiative as open to all global investors meeting the financial criteria.

How does the Gold Card compare to the EB-5 investor visa?
EB-5 visas require lower investments ($800,000–$1.05 million) but mandate creating 10+ U.S. jobs. The Gold Card’s $5 million threshold has no disclosed job-creation requirements, targeting pure capital infusion.

Is the Trump.Card.gov website officially sanctioned?
The domain is promoted by Trump’s team as the program’s portal. However, applicants should monitor U.S. State Department updates for official policy confirmations.

What happens after submitting interest via Trump.Card.gov?
Currently, the site collects contact details for future updates. No visas or formal applications are yet available.

This premium pathway underscores a growing trend of nations leveraging residency-for-investment schemes. While the Gold Card’s $5 million benchmark positions it among the world’s most exclusive golden visa programs, its success hinges on regulatory clarity and transparent economic benefits. Wealthy investors eyeing U.S. access should consult verified immigration attorneys and monitor .gov announcements before committing resources.