President Donald Trump announced a new immigration initiative, proposing a “gold card” visa program that would offer US residency and a pathway to citizenship for investors willing to pay $5 million.
The initiative, which Trump said would be launched within two weeks, is expected to replace the existing EB-5 investor visa program. The full details of the plan and its implementation remain unclear, but Trump indicated that the measure would not require congressional approval.
“We’re going to be selling a gold card,” Trump said at the Oval Office while signing executive orders alongside Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “We’re putting a price on that card of about $5 million, and that’s going to give you green card privileges.”
Lutnick confirmed that participants would be required to pay the fee directly to the US government. “Rather than having this sort of ridiculous EB-5 program, we’re going to end it and replace it with the Trump gold card,” he said.
He added that applicants would still undergo vetting to ensure they are “wonderful, world-class, global citizens.” The funds generated from the program would be used to reduce the federal deficit, Lutnick said.
The announcement comes as Trump continues to enforce stricter immigration policies in his second term, pledging the largest deportation effort in US history while securing the southern border.
He has also threatened Canada and Mexico with tariffs unless they take stronger action against the flow of fentanyl, other illegal drugs, and undocumented migrants into the US
