Trump Launches $5 Million “Gold Card” Website for US Residency
On June 12, 2025, former President Donald Trump unveiled a new immigration initiative via a dedicated website, TrumpCard.gov, allowing ultra-rich investors to register their interest in a $5 million “Gold Card”—a fast-track U.S. residency permit with a pathway to citizenship.
What Is the Gold Card?
- Residency for Rich Investors: For a $5 million payment, foreign nationals can apply for an elevated residency permit—rumored to be like a “green card but better”—leading to possible citizenship.
- Replacing the EB-5 Program: Trump proposes this as a substitute for the existing EB‑5 investor visa, which offers green cards for investments of $800,000–$1.05 million tied to job creation.
- Tax Advantage? The Gold Card may exempt holders from federal taxes on overseas income—though this awaits legal clarification.
Public & Government Response
- Huge Interest: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick revealed a staggering 25,000 registrations in just 15 hours, with 1,000 potentially sold in a single day—raising hopes for generating up to $1 trillion if 200,000 are sold.
- Official Promotion: Trump echoed its benefits on Truth Social, calling it “a beautiful road” to U.S. residency and citizenship.
Legal and Practical Questions
- Legal Basis: Critics note that immigration law is Congress’s domain; launching a paid program may face constitutional and legislative hurdles.
- Ongoing Uncertainty: Important details—such as eligibility criteria, tax implications, and citizenship pathway—remain unclear. Users on the website can only pre-register for updates.
Global Implications
- Targeting Wealth Markets: Trump seems especially focused on affluent markets like India; U.S. officials anticipate strong interest from high-net-worth individuals there.
- Transforming Investor Migration: If implemented, the Gold Card would represent one of the most expensive investor-visa programs globally, reshaping how wealth-based immigration operates.
Bottom Line
Trump’s “Gold Card” is a high-risk, high-stakes gamble: a daring effort to replace EB‑5 with a luxury-priced fast-track residency program. While public interest is high, the cards are yet to fall on its legality, actual rollout, and real-world impact.
