Trump 'Gold Card' Program: A $5 Million Pathway to U.S. Citizenship

Washington, D.C. – February 26, 2025

President Donald Trump has introduced a bold new immigration initiative, dubbed the "Gold Card" program, aimed at attracting wealthy foreign investors to the United States. Announced on Tuesday, February 25, the program is set to replace the decades-old EB-5 immigrant investor visa, offering what Trump describes as an "elite" route to U.S. citizenship for a price tag of $5 million. The move signals a significant shift in immigration policy, prioritizing high-net-worth individuals and aiming to bolster the U.S. economy while addressing the national deficit.

Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, Trump outlined the program's vision, emphasizing its appeal to affluent global citizens. "We’re going to be selling a gold card," he declared. "It’s going to give you green card privileges, plus it’s a route to citizenship. Wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card—they’ll be successful, they’ll spend a lot of money, pay a lot of taxes, and employ a lot of people." Trump projected that the initiative could generate substantial revenue, musing that selling 1 million cards could yield $5 trillion, with a potential cap of 10 million cards bringing in $50 trillion—figures he suggested could offset the nation’s $35 trillion debt.

The "Gold Card" program marks a departure from the EB-5 visa, established by Congress in 1990 to stimulate economic growth through foreign investment. The EB-5 currently requires investors to commit between $800,000 and $1.05 million in U.S. businesses, creating or preserving at least 10 jobs, to secure permanent residency. Critics, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, have long pointed to fraud and inefficiencies in the EB-5 system. "The EB-5 program was full of nonsense and fraud—a low-priced way to get a green card," Lutnick said alongside Trump. "We’re ending that ridiculous program and replacing it with the Trump Gold Card."

Unlike its predecessor, the "Gold Card" does not appear to mandate job creation, instead focusing on a direct financial contribution to the U.S. Applicants will undergo vetting to ensure they are "world-class global citizens," according to Lutnick, though specific eligibility criteria remain forthcoming. Trump indicated the program could launch within two weeks, asserting that congressional approval is unnecessary for its initial rollout, as it builds on existing green card frameworks. However, he acknowledged that establishing a formal path to citizenship would require legislative action.

The proposal has sparked a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. Supporters argue it aligns with global "golden visa" trends—over 100 countries, including Spain, Malta, and Canada, offer residency or citizenship through investment—while positioning the U.S. to compete for high-net-worth talent and capital. Critics, however, question the feasibility of Trump’s revenue projections and the lack of job-creation requirements, suggesting it could devolve into a pay-to-play system favoring the ultra-wealthy.

The administration has yet to release detailed plans, but Trump hinted at flexibility in the program’s scope, even suggesting that controversial figures like Russian oligarchs might qualify. "I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people," he remarked when pressed on the matter. "They can afford $5 million."

As of today, February 26, 2025, the "Gold Card" remains in its conceptual phase, with further details promised in the coming weeks. Economists and immigration experts are closely watching how this ambitious proposal will take shape—and whether it can deliver on its promise to transform both the U.S. economy and its immigration landscape. 17GEN4.com