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By Dan Gooding and Hollie Silverman
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President Donald Trump announced that people will be able to apply for his Gold Card visa, a pathway to citizenship, starting Wednesday afternoon.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump touted the new immigration option, saying: "THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S TRUMP GOLD CARD IS HERE TODAY! A direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people. SO EXCITING! Our Great American Companies can finally keep their invaluable Talent. Live Site opens in 30 minutes!"
Trump has previously spoken about his plan to offer a Gold Card visa program to grant U.S. residency to wealthy foreign nationals.
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Why It Matters
After announcing the new program earlier this year, Trump came under scrutiny over how it would work and whether Congress would be consulted, as it is supposed to be when modifying or creating new visa programs.
The Gold Card is designed to attract investment into the United States, something the president has long maintained should be a driving factor for legal immigration, so that it benefits the country. Skeptics have said the program would be swayed by money, not merit—the visas will cost individual applicants $1 million.
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What To Know
The visa program has been a key focus of the Trump administration, aiming to attract highly skilled workers and substantial foreign investment to the United States. By setting higher financial thresholds, Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have said the initiative aims to encourage significant economic contributions and offer a faster pathway to residency for those who meet the requirements.
Trump said during a roundtable with business leaders at the White House on Wednesday that the Gold Card would address the issue of losing highly skilled foreign students when they graduate from American colleges, despite his administration having moved to tighten student visa options and length, and the work opportunities available to them at graduation.
Wednesday's announcement brought a new government website specifically designed for the Trump Gold and Platinum cards, confirming previous proposals requiring individual Gold Card applicants to donate $1 million to the U.S. Treasury, while corporate-sponsored applicants would need to contribute $2 million, in addition to a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee.
A third tier, the Platinum Card, is not yet available, but it would allow an individual to spend up to 270 days a year in the United States without becoming subject to U.S. tax on foreign income for $5 million. The website allows potential applicants to sign up for a waitlist for the card.
Being able to spend the money will not automatically guarantee entry into the U.S., according to the website—something which had not necessarily been clear in previous announcements. Applicants must be eligible for permanent resident status, be admissible to the U.S., and a visa must be available.
Under U.S. immigration law, those who receive a Gold Card will effectively be EB-1 or EB-2 visa holders. These visas are usually reserved for those with "extraordinary abilities" such as outstanding professors or researchers, as well as artists and business leaders, and offer permanent resident status with a pathway to citizenship.
Gold Card holders will have to pay taxes, just as they would as green card holders or U.S. citizens, and they would also be eligible for visa revocation if they violate the Department of Homeland Security's rules—i.e., if they are deemed a national security risk.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, speaking at the White House on Wednesday afternoon: "It's a gift of getting somebody great coming into our country, because we think these will be some tremendous people that wouldn't be allowed to stay. They graduate from college, and they have to go back to India, they have to go back to China, they have to go back to France, they have to go back to wherever they came from. It's a shame, it's a ridiculous thing we're taking care of. The companies are going to be happy."
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, also speaking on Wednesday: "For an individual, it's $1 million and for a corporation, it's $2 million. They can then have an employee, full vetting, the best vetting that's ever been done. $15,000 vetting, to make sure these people absolutely qualify to be in America. It's a gift to the United States of America."
What Happens Next
Potential applicants can now register to apply for the Gold Card, with the Platinum Card to come at a later date.
Update 12/10/25, 4:03 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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