In a significant move that marks a new chapter in U.S. immigration policy, President Donald Trump unveiled the Gold Card program, a bold initiative designed to provide a pathway to legal status and eventual citizenship for affluent individuals. The announcement came from the White House on December 10, 2025, where Trump, flanked by top business leaders, launched the program which is now accepting applications.
The Gold Card program represents a radical departure from traditional immigration pathways. Under this new scheme, individuals can secure legal status by paying a $1 million fee, while corporations can sponsor foreign-born workers at a cost of $2 million per employee. This initiative aligns with President Trump's vision of reshaping the nation's immigration system to attract "the world's brightest talent" and simultaneously generate substantial revenue for the federal government.
Trump has been a vocal proponent of such a program since his return to office, initially proposing a $5 million fee per visa. However, after negotiations and considerations, the administration settled on the current pricing structure. The program also includes a more exclusive Platinum Card, available for $5 million plus a $15,000 processing fee, granting foreign nationals the privilege of spending up to 270 days a year in the U.S. without paying taxes on income earned abroad.
The Gold Card is positioned as a superior alternative to the traditional green card, which Trump described as an outdated system that no longer serves the country's best interests. It notably lacks the job creation mandates and program caps that were part of the EB-5 visa, created by Congress in 1990, which required a similar investment but also the creation of at least 10 jobs.
Democrats have been quick to criticize the Gold Card program, labeling it as catering exclusively to wealthy elites and a departure from the nation's values of equal opportunity. The administration, however, has dismissed such criticism as "political noise" from a party accused of failing to produce meaningful immigration reforms.
The announcement has generated intense discussion among policymakers, immigration advocates, and the business community. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized that the vetting process for applicants will include a $15,000 background review to ensure qualifications are met. He also highlighted that the program is designed to reverse the trend of current green card holders earning less than the average American by bringing in high-income applicants who can potentially strengthen the U.S. economy.
This move comes at a time when the U.S. is competing with several other countries that offer investor visas, such as the U.K., Canada, and Australia. Trump has pointed out that the U.S. cannot afford to fall behind in this global competition.
The Gold Card program is expected to be particularly attractive to graduates from countries like China, India, and France, based on demand from major U.S. companies that have faced challenges recruiting top talent from American universities due to the lack of long-term residency options.
While the program has just been rolled out, its long-term impact on the U.S. immigration landscape remains to be seen. However, it is clear that President Trump's administration is determined to redefine the pathway to American citizenship.
