Trump’s $5 Million “Gold Card” Visa Unveiled
President Trump has announced a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, unveiling a new “Gold Card” visa program priced at a cool $5 million.
Revealed on Tuesday from the Oval Office, the initiative is set to replace the decades-old EB-5 visa system, which Trump and his administration have slammed as a flawed, fraud-ridden relic.
With the promise of green card privileges and a direct path to citizenship, the “Gold Card” is being pitched as a premium ticket for the world’s most successful individuals to plant their flag in America.
“We’re going to be selling a ‘Gold Card.’ You have a green card, this is a gold card,” Trump declared, emphasizing the program’s exclusivity.
He continued, “We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million, and that’s going to give you green card privileges. It’s going to be a route to citizenship, and wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card.”
Once again, Trump is the expert of thinking of things we had no idea we could do.
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 25, 2025
Now, he's offering to sell U.S. "gold cards" to wealthy foreigners for $5,000,000 in return for entry into the U.S.
If just 200 rich people take this, that's $1 BILLION.pic.twitter.com/Vtssqu0de7
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Trump, blasted the EB-5 program’s shortcomings, urging that it “was really, you lend some money but it was full of nonsense, make-believe, and fraud,” adding “It was a way to get a green card that was low price.”
Currently, the EB-5 allows foreign investors to secure residency by investing $800,000 in targeted employment areas or $1.05 million elsewhere, provided they create jobs. Lutnick argued that the “Trump Gold Card” will ditch the “ridiculous” loopholes and raise the bar, requiring a $5 million payment straight to the U.S. Treasury, plus an additional investment in the economy. The program, he added, will roll out in just two weeks.
Trump also suggested the “Gold Card” could generate jaw-dropping revenue—potentially trillions—by selling up to a million of them, with the funds earmarked to chip away at the national debt.
“We’ll be able to sell maybe a million of these cards, maybe more than that,” he mused, framing it as a financial windfall for a debt-laden nation. Unlike the capped EB-5, which saw about 8,000 visas issued in 2022 according to Homeland Security data, Trump’s proposal seems to envision no upper limit, banking on the allure of U.S. citizenship.
Trump contrasted the “Gold Card” with the EB-5’s convoluted requirements, which he dismissed as a cheap shortcut to residency. Lutnick echoed this, promising a vetting process to ensure only “wonderful, world-class” people make the cut.
Supporters have labeled the move a masterstroke, leveraging America’s appeal to bolster the economy while sidelining a program long criticized for abuse. The EB-5 has been dogged by fraud allegations, with the Congressional Research Service noting risks tied to verifying the legality of funds.
Leftists immediately suggested that the Gold Card represents a pay-to-play scheme that turns citizenship into a luxury good for oligarchs and tycoons.
When asked if Russian oligarchs could buy in, Trump simply responded “Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people.”
Some have also suggested that replacing the EB-5, which has been in place since 1990, will require legislative approval, not just an executive order. Trump waved off such concerns, however, claiming it’s “all worked out from a legal standpoint.”
Is this a stroke of genius or a gilded gimmick? Trump certainly believes the world’s most successful people are ready to RSVP to a new golden age of America.
It's a great way to reduce the deficit and get people here who will create jobs.
— SelectaVision Cinema & TV (@CED_LD_Guy) February 26, 2025
And we'll still have a legal immigration system for everyone else who wants to come in through legal means who aren't rich but will be good citizens regardless of race, color or creed.
Selling citizenship is not a new concept.
— TheUnusualSuspect (@beerandtokens) February 26, 2025
Its also something 2016 MAGA would have been against
A brilliant move. Instead of letting freeloaders pour in, make wealthy investors buy their way in while creating jobs and boosting the economy. Merit-based immigration at its finest.
— Chaotic Genius (@realchaosgenius) February 25, 2025
Countries around the world offer similar programs for years. Expat anyone?
— monyman (@monyman2you) February 25, 2025
The issue with the current EB-5 visa is that wealthy Chinese Nationals have been abusing it.
— Kratos Disciple (@KratosDisciple) February 26, 2025
So Trump decided that if they want to play that game, then it's going to be $5 million instead of $1 million.
Trump Team is operating on another level.
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