The Trump administration is introducing a groundbreaking immigration initiative designed to attract ultra-high-net-worth individuals to the United States. The proposed Gold Card Visa, which may be rebranded as the Trump Card, offers wealthy foreign investors a pathway to permanent U.S. residency without the stringent job creation requirements of the existing EB-5 visa program.
What is the Gold Card Visa?
Unlike the EB-5 visa, which mandates an investment of at least $800,000 and the creation of 10 American jobs, the Gold Card Visa requires an upfront payment of $5 million per applicant. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently announced that he has already secured $5 billion in commitments by selling 1,000 Gold Cards, even though an official application process has yet to be established.
Who is Behind the Initiative?
The concept of selling U.S. residency originated from discussions between President Donald Trump and billionaire investor John Paulson. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later helped refine the plan, and Elon Musk is reportedly developing the software for the application process, which is expected to launch in the coming weeks.
Key Benefits of the Gold Card Visa
- No Job Creation Requirement: Unlike the EB-5 program, investors are not required to create American jobs.
- Permanent Residency Without Citizenship: Gold Card holders can maintain residency without global tax obligations.
- Revocable in Case of Violations: The U.S. government retains the right to revoke residency for criminal activity.
- Economic Boost: The program is expected to generate trillions of dollars in revenue to help reduce the national debt, currently at $36.2 trillion.
- High Demand: Secretary Lutnick estimates that over 37 million people worldwide could afford to purchase these cards.
How Will the Revenue Be Used?
President Donald Trump has projected that selling one million Gold Cards could generate $5 trillion in revenue. The funds would be directed toward national debt reduction, infrastructure projects, and economic growth initiatives.
When Will Applications Open?
While an exact timeline remains unconfirmed, the application process is expected to be launched within the next two weeks, pending congressional approval.
Final Thoughts
The Gold Card Visa represents a game-changing immigration strategy that could reshape the U.S. residency landscape for wealthy investors. If implemented, it would provide a fast-track solution for high-net-worth individuals seeking stability and financial opportunities in the United States while contributing billions to the economy.
