President Donald Trump has introduced a new initiative known as the ‘gold card,’ which offers a legal pathway to U.S. citizenship for individuals willing to invest $1 million. The program was launched on December 10, with a website now accepting applications as Trump inaugurated the program alongside business leaders at the White House.
Just before the launch, Trump announced on Truth Social that the “TRUMP GOLD CARD” is now available, providing a direct route to citizenship for eligible individuals. The initiative aims to replace the existing EB-5 visa program, which was established in 1990 to attract foreign investment.
Under Trump’s plan, individuals can secure the visa by investing the full $1 million, while corporations will need to invest double that amount for each foreign-born employee. Trump envisions this new program as a strategy to attract top talent to the U.S. and generate revenue for the federal government.
All funds collected through this program will be directed to the U.S. government, with expectations of significant financial inflow for national development projects. The ‘gold card’ essentially offers a green card, ensuring permanent legal residency with a clear path to citizenship, which Trump described as a more robust and advantageous option.
Notably, Trump did not specify job creation requirements for corporations applying for the program, unlike the current EB-5 program, which has such stipulations. He emphasized the challenges faced by businesses in recruiting talented individuals from international universities due to visa restrictions.
In conclusion, the ‘gold card’ program aims to streamline the process of obtaining legal residency and citizenship for high-net-worth individuals and corporations, with a focus on talent retention and economic growth in the United States.