Trump Gold Card Can You Buy US Citizenship for $1 Million
- The Trump Gold Card offers expedited permanent residency for a $15,000 processing fee plus a $1 million "gift" ($2 million for corporate sponsorship), aiming to generate revenue and attract wealthy investors.
- Critics argue the program effectively sells US citizenship, bypasses Congress, and favors the rich, while supporters claim it brings productive, self-sufficient individuals to boost the economy.
- A "Platinum Card" is planned for a $5 million fee, offering tax exemptions on non-US income for part-time residents, signaling an aggressive expansion of "golden visa" policies.
President Donald Trump has officially launched the "Trump Gold Card," a new immigration program designed to expedite US residency for wealthy foreign nationals. For a non refundable processing fee of $15,000 and a subsequent "gift" of $1 million to the US government, successful applicants can bypass traditional visa queues and secure lawful permanent resident status, commonly known as a green card. The initiative also allows corporations to sponsor employees for a $2 million fee. Trump described the program as offering a "much stronger path" to citizenship than existing options, emphasizing the desire to attract high net worth individuals who can invest in the American economy.
This move marks a significant shift in US immigration policy, essentially creating a "pay to play" system for residency. The Commerce Department projects that the Gold Card, along with a future "Platinum Card" and updates to H 1B visas, could generate up to $100 billion in revenue. While proponents like Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick argue this will bring "world class global citizens" who are less likely to rely on social assistance, critics view it as selling citizenship to the highest bidder. Legal scholars also question the program's durability, noting that executive actions can be overturned by future presidents and may face challenges in court for bypassing Congressional authority.
The Gold Card is part of a broader trend of "golden visas" offered by various countries to attract foreign capital, although nations like Portugal and Ireland have recently scaled back their programs due to housing crises and security concerns. In contrast, the US is doubling down, with a planned "Platinum Card" tier costing $5 million that would allow foreigners to live in the US for up to 270 days a year without paying taxes on their non US income. This aggressive push for wealthy immigrants comes amidst a wider crackdown on undocumented migration and asylum seekers, highlighting a stark divergence in how the administration treats different classes of foreign nationals.
Ultimately, the Trump Gold Card raises fundamental questions about fairness and the nature of American citizenship. While it offers a fast track for those with means, it risks alienating the president's own base, who may see it as undercutting American workers. Furthermore, the high cost and legal uncertainties might deter the very investors it aims to attract. Whether this program becomes a lasting pillar of US immigration policy or a short lived experiment remains to be seen, but it undeniably signals a new era where financial contribution is explicitly equated with the right to call America home.