Trump Administration Opens $1 Million “Gold Card” Path to U.S. Residency

Washington

The Trump administration rolled out a highly anticipated but deeply controversial immigration initiative designed to allow wealthy foreign nationals to buy an expedited route to lawful permanent residence in the United States.

Under the new “Gold Card” program, applicants who pay $1 million to the U.S. government, after an initial $15,000 processing fee and standard security vetting, can secure what the administration describes as a fast-track equivalent of a green card. A separate corporate option allows companies to sponsor foreign employees for $2 million per worker.

President Donald J. Trump, surrounded by business leaders at the White House, described the program as a way to attract affluent individuals whose financial contributions will “benefit the American people and fuel economic growth.” Applicants, once approved, would be eligible for lawful permanent resident status and ultimately could pursue U.S. citizenship through naturalization after meeting standard requirements, according to government materials.

The administration has also teased an even more expensive “Platinum Card,” priced at $5 million, that it says would allow holders to spend up to 270 days a year in the United States without being subject to federal income tax on non-U.S. earnings. That initiative is pending further regulatory or congressional action.

The launch represents a striking departure from traditional U.S. immigration policy and has sparked debate among lawmakers, immigration experts and civil society groups. Advocates say the program could generate significant revenue for the federal government and help attract global investment and talent. Critics, however, argue it amounts to selling access to American residency and benefits only the very wealthy.

Some immigration attorneys have questioned whether the administration has the legal authority to create a new visa category without explicit congressional approval, and they warn that applicants could face uncertainty if the program is challenged in court.

Opposition voices have been quick to seize on broader concerns about the initiative’s equity and impact. On national television, commentators criticized the $1 million threshold, saying it favors the affluent while fundamentals of the broader immigration system remain strained.

The rollout of the Gold Card comes amid a broader and more aggressive immigration agenda pursued by the Trump administration, which includes increased enforcement actions and tightened vetting procedures for other visa categories.

As the first applications begin to be processed, legal and political battles over the program’s scope and constitutionality are expected to intensify in the coming months.