On Wednesday evening, former President Donald Trump made a significant announcement on his Truth Social platform—foreign nationals can now sign up for the $5 million Gold Card Visa. This new program offers a fast track to U.S. citizenship, targeting wealthy investors interested in gaining quicker permanent residency.
Key Highlights
- Trump’s announcement came with a link to the official website for the visa, which is dubbed “The Trump Card.” The website features an image of the card, showcasing Trump’s signature and photo—a design he first revealed in April during a flight on Air Force One.
- The post from Trump reads, “Thousands have asked about how to apply, and now, the waitlist is officially open.” While the website does not specify an official launch date, it mentions that those who sign up will be notified when they can access the program.
- Potential applicants will need to submit basic information, including their name, region, and whether they are an individual or business entity. Sign-ups will be notified once the visa becomes available.
What Exactly Is The Gold Card Visa?
The Gold Card Visa was first unveiled by Trump in February, with promises that it would offer recipients benefits similar to those of a green card, granting permanent residency in the United States. Trump has emphasized that the program will encourage wealthy individuals to invest heavily in the U.S. economy—by spending large sums, paying taxes, and creating jobs.
In contrast to current paths like the EB-5 investor visa, which requires a significant investment in U.S. businesses, Trump’s Gold Card Visa intends to streamline the process of obtaining a path to citizenship, but without offering an outright purchase of citizenship. The former president has insisted that the Gold Card program would not require Congressional approval, positioning it as a legal tool that expedites citizenship rather than bypassing the process altogether.
The Gold Card’s Potential Rollout
Initially, Trump suggested the Gold Card Visa could be operational in as little as two weeks following its announcement. However, the timeline remains uncertain, and details regarding its official rollout are sparse. In recent weeks, Elon Musk, who was heading the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, tweeted that the program was undergoing a “quiet trial” to ensure it functions as intended.
While the specifics of this trial remain unclear, reports surfaced that some individuals in the Global Entry program were being asked about their potential interest in the Gold Card Visa. This has added to the growing speculation around the program’s launch, though official confirmation has yet to be made.
How Does This Compare to the EB-5 Visa Program?
The U.S. already has the EB-5 investor visa program, which offers foreign nationals the opportunity to obtain a green card in exchange for investments of $800,000 to $1.05 million in U.S. enterprises, with the goal of creating jobs for Americans. There has been much speculation that Trump’s Gold Card program will ultimately replace the EB-5, offering a streamlined version of the process for individuals looking to gain U.S. residency.
While the details of how the Gold Card Visa will impact the EB-5 program remain unclear, the introduction of a more exclusive, high-investment alternative has raised questions about the future of other investor visa options.
What’s Next?
As the Gold Card Visa continues to capture the attention of potential investors, there’s still much that remains unknown—especially regarding the timeline for its full implementation. The Trump administration has made strides toward shaping the program, but without a clear launch date, all eyes will remain on further announcements from the former president.
As the situation develops, prospective applicants will be keeping a close watch on updates for the Trump Card and how it might alter the U.S. immigration landscape for foreign investors.
