The Trump administration on December 11, 2025, launched a new “Gold Card” visa program that offers expedited U.S. residency to foreign applicants who pay a $15,000 DHS processing fee and, after vetting, make a $1 million contribution. [1][2][3]
What the program is – basics and mechanics
The Gold Card visa is presented as an accelerated path to U.S. lawful permanent residency for wealthy foreign nationals. According to the White House presidential action and the program website, applicants first pay a nonrefundable $15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security for vetting; after approval, a $1 million contribution from the individual (or $2 million from a corporate sponsor per employee) is required to receive the card.
The official site and White House language describe the contribution as “evidence that the individual will substantially benefit the United States,” and the program documentation notes additional small Department of State fees may apply. The site also advertises a higher “Platinum Card” tier — described as a future product with a $5 million contribution and special residency/tax features — currently on a waiting list. [1][2]
The White House posted a presidential action detailing the program’s mechanics and set the $1 million and $2 million contribution thresholds. [1] The program’s consumer-facing portal, Trumpcard.gov, is live with an “Apply Now” flow and text framing the Gold Card as an expedited visa option following DHS screening.
Administration statements and claimed uptake
Commerce Secretary Howard W. Lutnick and other administration spokespeople have touted early interest and revenue potential; Reuters and AP report administration claims that thousands pre-registered and that the initiative could generate “billions” of dollars. Reuters notes the administration said about 10,000 people had pre-registered. [3][4] These figures come from administration briefings and statements; independent verification (e.g., public program filings showing receipts) is not yet available.
How the Gold Card compares to existing investor routes
The administration positions the Gold Card as distinct from — but functionally similar in outcome to — investor green-card routes such as EB-5. Unlike the EB-5 program, which ties investment to job creation and regional center activity, official Gold Card material does not require job-creation proof; instead the $1 million/$2 million contribution itself is framed as the qualifying evidence. This represents a policy shift from investment-for-jobs to contribution-for-residency.
This section is analysis and should be read as such: The key legal question is whether the executive branch can create an expedited residency pathway tied to contributions without new legislation. The White House action and program materials claim the program will operate “to the extent consistent with law,” but do not cite new statutory authority that alters existing immigrant-visa categories. If litigated, courts could examine whether the program exceeds executive authority or conflicts with existing visa statutes and immigration law.
Public reaction and political context
Observers and critics point to the program as contradictory: it monetizes residency while the administration continues aggressive enforcement against undocumented immigrants and tightened legal immigration routes. Supporters within the administration cast it as a market-driven way to attract talent and revenue. Reuters and AP report mixed political reactions and concerns that such a program could favor wealth over merit or humanitarian considerations.
