What is the Trump Gold Card?

The Trump Gold Card program is a proposed fast-track residency initiative designed for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) seeking permanent U.S. residency through a $5 million investment. While the program has been informally discussed by President Donald J. Trump and members of his admin, it has not been officially launched yet. This page will be continuously updated as more details emerge.

The Trump Gold Card aims to provide an alternative to the EB-5 visa, offering a simpler and more direct investment path to U.S. residency. Investors may be able to place their funds in real estate, businesses, and key infrastructure projects to qualify.

Why Consider the Trump Gold Card?

Pathway to Citizenship to the United States of America

Direct & Exclusive access to U.S. Residency:

• The Trump Gold Card offers a fast-track route to a green card for those who can invest $5 million.
• Holders receive privileges akin to a green card, including the right to live and work in the U.S., with a streamlined route to full citizenship.
• It is a path to citizenship, making it a long-term solution for investors seeking U.S. residency. Bring your spouse and children as part of your residency.
• Join an elite group of global investors contributing to the U.S. economy.

Priority Access for High-Net-Worth Individuals & Corporations

• Unlike traditional visa programs, this initiative specifically targets wealthy individuals and top-tier talent.
• Corporations can sponsor employees, particularly high-performing graduates from elite universities (e.g., Harvard, Stanford, Wharton).
• This makes it easier for businesses to secure top global talent without uncertainty.

Potential Economic & Tax Benefits

• No taxes on foreign income while maintaining U.S. residency.
• Full tax obligations only apply to U.S.-earned income, just like other residents.
• Investors and job creators benefit from a clear and structured immigration process.

Government Backing & Legal Assurance

• The program is described as fully legal and does not require Congressional approval.
• Unlike the EB-5 visa, which Trump’s team criticized for fraud and inefficiencies, this program is positioned as a transparent, straightforward alternative.

Contribution to the U.S. Economy & Deficit Reduction

• Trump estimates that selling millions of gold cards could raise trillions of dollars, potentially eliminating the U.S. national debt.
• The program aligns investor interests with national economic priorities, making it a patriotic investment opportunity.

While the program promises significant benefits, potential applicants should consider factors such as the high investment threshold and the current global taxation policies of the U.S. Additionally, the initiative may face legislative and public scrutiny, which could impact its implementation.

What has been shared so far about the Trump Gold Card?

US President, Donald Trump and US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick announced the Trump Gold Card on Feb 25. Here are the key takeaways from their press conference:

Introduction of the “Trump Gold Card”

• A new immigration program where wealthy individuals can buy a “Trump Gold Card” for $5 million.
• The gold card grants green card privileges and serves as a path to citizenship.

Replacement of the EB-5 Visa Program

• The EB-5 program, which allowed foreign investors to obtain green cards, will be ended due to alleged fraud and inefficiencies.
• The Trump Gold Card aims to bring in high-net-worth individuals who will create jobs and invest in the U.S. economy.

Economic Justification

• The plan could raise trillions of dollars in revenue, potentially reducing the national deficit.
• Trump suggested selling millions of these gold cards, estimating up to $50 trillion in revenue.

Eligibility & Benefits

• High-income individuals and talented workers sponsored by corporations would be eligible.
• Gold card recipients wouldn’t pay taxes on foreign income but would be taxed on U.S. income.

Legal & Congressional Approval

• Trump stated the Gold Card program is legally sound and does not require Congressional approval because it is not granting immediate citizenship.
• Individuals from certain countries might be vetted more carefully before approval.

Here’s the video where President Donald J. Trump introduces the Trump Gold Card:

Key Quotes from Trump’s Gold Card Announcement

President, Donald Trump:

• “We’re going to be selling a gold card. You have a green card, this is a gold card.”
• “We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about five million dollars, and that’s going to give you green card privileges plus.”
• “It’s going to be a route to citizenship, and wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card.”
• “We’ll be able to sell maybe a million of these cards, maybe more than that.”
• “A million cards would be worth five trillion dollars. Wow.”
• “If you sell 10 million of the cards, that’s a total of 50 trillion dollars. Well, we have 35 trillion in debt. That’d be nice.”
• “We have it all worked out from the legal standpoint. It’s totally legal to do.”
• “Hasn’t been done before. It’s been done in many different forms. We give them away. Why should we give them away? We shouldn’t give them away.”
• “It’s somewhat like a green card, but at a higher level of sophistication.”
• “It’s a road to citizenship for people and essentially people of wealth or people of talent.”

Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick:

• “The EB-5 program was really… full of nonsense, make-believe, and fraud.”
• “Rather than having this sort of ridiculous EB-5 program, we’re going to end the EB-5 program.”
• “We’re going to replace it with the Trump Gold Card, which is really a green card gold.”
• “They’ll be able to pay five million dollars to the U.S. government.”
• “We’re going to make sure they’re wonderful world-class global citizens.”
• “Why do we give out lotteries of green cards? Why do we give out EB-5 for green cards? The president understands that the right answer is why don’t we eliminate the deficit of the United States of America instead?”

Who Can Apply for the Trump Gold Card?

The Trump Gold Card initiative aims to attract individuals who can significantly contribute to the U.S. economy through investment, job creation, and tax payments. It is aimed at:

• Wealthy Individuals: Applicants are required to invest $5 million to obtain the gold card, which offers green card privileges and a pathway to citizenship.
• High-Level Professionals: The gold card program targets individuals who are wealthy and successful, expected to contribute to the U.S. economy by spending money, paying taxes, and creating jobs.
• Corporate-Sponsored Talent: Companies can sponsor top graduates from prestigious institutions (e.g., Wharton, Harvard, Stanford, and others) by purchasing a gold card on their behalf, facilitating employment for highly skilled individuals.

All applicants will undergo a thorough vetting process to ensure they are “wonderful world-class global citizens.” Eligibility may vary based on the applicant’s country of origin, with some countries’ applicants subject to more careful scrutiny.

Trump Gold Card vs. EB-5 Visa: Key Differences

Feature	Gold Card (proposed)	EB-5 Visa
Investment Requirement	$5 million direct payment to the U.S. government	Minimum of $800,000 to $1.05 million invested in a U.S. business
Processing Time	Expected to be faster	2+ years
Use of Funds	Funds intended to reduce the national deficit	Investment must create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers
Tax Implications	No taxes on foreign income; full taxes on U.S.-sourced income.	Subject to U.S. taxes on worldwide income.
Job Creation Required?	No (to be confirmed)	Yes (10 jobs)
Path to Citizenship	Yes	Yes

Application Process (pending official details)

If officially launched, the Trump Gold Card application process may follow these steps:

• Eligibility Check: Applicants would need to prove their financial standing and investment capability.
• Investment Commitment: A $5 million investment to the US government.
• Application Submission: Investors would provide documentation, including proof of funds and security clearance.
• Residency Approval: Upon approval, investors and their families would receive permanent residency.
• Citizenship Eligibility: After fulfilling residency obligations, investors may apply for U.S. citizenship.

The program aims to replace the existing EB-5 visa, which has been criticized for fraud and inefficiencies. The Gold Card is intended to provide a more straightforward path to U.S. residency and citizenship for affluent individuals and valuable professionals.

Please note that detailed application procedures and additional requirements are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Potential Benefits for the U.S. Economy

The introduction of the Gold Card could provide several economic advantages, including:

Massive Revenue Generation

• Each Trump Gold Card costs $5 million, potentially generating trillions of dollars if millions of cards are sold.
• Trump estimates that selling 10 million gold cards could bring in $50 trillion, which could eliminate the national debt.

Deficit Reduction

• The money raised from the gold card program could be used to pay down the U.S. national debt, currently at $35 trillion.
• Unlike traditional green card programs, this initiative directly funds the government rather than requiring investment in private businesses.

Increased Tax Revenue

• Gold Card holders will pay full taxes on U.S.-earned income, contributing to federal and state tax revenue.
• High-net-worth individuals are expected to spend and invest heavily in the U.S., further boosting tax collections.

Job Creation & Economic Growth

• The gold card program aims to attract entrepreneurs, business owners, and top corporate talent, bringing in individuals who create jobs.
• Corporations can use the Gold Card to hire highly skilled graduates from top universities, increasing innovation and productivity.

Foreign Investment Inflow

• The program is likely to bring foreign capital into the U.S. economy, fueling investments in real estate, businesses, and startups.
• Multinational companies may also use the Gold Card to relocate top executives and key personnel to the U.S.

The Trump Gold Card is positioned as an economic stimulus tool that not only attracts wealthy investors but also helps reduce debt, increase tax revenue, create jobs, and boost foreign investment—all without requiring Congressional approval.

Potential Risks & Challenges

While the Trump Gold Card initiative presents potential economic benefits, several risks and challenges emerge:

Legal and Legislative Hurdles:

• Congressional Approval: President Trump asserts that the program doesn’t require Congressional consent since it offers a path to citizenship rather than immediate citizenship. However, immigration experts contend that such significant changes to visa programs necessitate legislative approval.

Market Demand and Feasibility:

• High Investment Threshold: The substantial $5 million price tag may deter potential applicants, especially when compared to existing programs like the EB-5 visa, which requires a lower investment.
• Corporate Participation: While the program allows companies to sponsor top talent by purchasing Gold Cards, it’s uncertain whether businesses are willing to invest such significant sums per employee.

Fraud and National Security Concerns:

• Potential for Abuse: Similar programs globally have faced issues with fraud and money laundering. Ensuring rigorous vetting processes is crucial to prevent misuse by individuals with illicit intentions.
• Vetting Challenges: The administration emphasizes thorough vetting to ensure applicants are “wonderful world-class global citizens.” However, implementing effective screening to identify and exclude individuals posing security risks will remain a pragmatic challenge.

Ethical Implications:

• Perception of ‘Buying’ Citizenship: Offering residency and citizenship paths primarily to the wealthy may raise ethical questions about equity and the values underpinning the U.S. immigration system. Each individual has their own opinion.

In summary, while the Trump Gold Card initiative aims to boost the U.S. economy by attracting affluent investors, it faces substantial legal, practical, and ethical challenges that need to be carefully addressed to ensure its viability and integrity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the Trump Gold Card officially available?
A: No, as of now, the Gold Card is a proposed program by President Donald J. Trump that has not yet been formally introduced by the U.S. government. Stay updated for official announcements.

Q: What is the Trump Gold Card?
A: The Trump Gold Card is a proposed immigration program that allows wealthy individuals to obtain green card privileges and a pathway to U.S. citizenship by purchasing a $5 million card.

Q: How does it differ from a traditional green card?
A: Unlike a standard green card, which typically requires family sponsorship, employer sponsorship, or an investment through the EB-5 visa, the Trump Gold Card is obtained directly through a financial investment. It also offers additional privileges beyond a normal green card, though details were not fully specified.

Q: Who can apply for the Trump Gold Card?
A: Wealthy individuals willing to invest $5 million. Successful businesspeople who can contribute to the U.S. economy. Corporations looking to sponsor high-caliber talent, such as graduates from top universities (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, etc.).

Q: Will Gold Card holders have to pay U.S. taxes?
A: No taxes on foreign income. Full taxes on U.S.-earned income, just like regular U.S. residents.

Q: What happens to the EB-5 visa program?
A: The EB-5 program will be eliminated, as it was criticized for fraud and inefficiencies. The Trump Gold Card will replace it as a more direct and higher-value alternative.

Q: What are the economic benefits of this program?
A: (1) Revenue generation: Selling millions of Gold Cards could raise trillions of dollars, potentially eliminating the national debt. (2) Job creation: Attracting high-net-worth individuals and businesses will stimulate the economy and create jobs. (3) Tax revenue: Gold Card holders will pay full U.S. taxes on domestic earnings.

Q: How will applicants be vetted?
A: All applicants must go through a strict vetting process to ensure they are “wonderful world-class global citizens.” Some countries may be excluded based on security concerns.

Q: Do applicants automatically get U.S. citizenship?
A: No. The Trump Gold Card provides a path to citizenship, but recipients will still need to meet residency and other legal requirements before becoming full U.S. citizens. Trump confirmed that citizenship itself would require Congressional approval in the future.

Q: Can this program be implemented without Congress?
A: Yes, for the Gold Card itself: Since it only grants residency and not immediate citizenship, Trump stated that it does not require Congressional approval. No, for citizenship: A full citizenship grant under this program would require Congress to act.

Q: How many Gold Cards does the U.S. plan to issue?
A: Trump mentioned selling potentially millions of cards. If 10 million cards were sold, it could generate $50 trillion, more than enough to pay off the national debt.

Q: When will the Trump Gold Card be available?
A: Trump indicated that the program would be launched in about two weeks, though no specific date was confirmed.

Q: Are there any restrictions on which countries can apply?
A: While no formal list was mentioned, Trump stated that applicants would be vetted carefully, and certain countries may face restrictions.

Q: What will the money from this program be used for?
A: The funds could be used to reduce the U.S. deficit. Trump also suggested that if the program raises more than expected, there could be surplus funds beyond just debt reduction.

Q: Has this type of program been done before?
A: Trump stated that nothing like this has been done before in the U.S. He also criticized the current system, arguing that green cards should not be given away for free through lotteries or outdated programs.

Q: Can I invest in residential real estate to qualify?
A: The specifics have not been confirmed yet, but similar programs globally restrict investment to commercial real estate and business ventures.

Q: Will there be a refund policy for investors?
A: No details on refunds have been disclosed. Typically, investor visa programs do not offer refunds once the investment has been made.