U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new high-value visa program known as the “gold card.” This special residency permit, priced at $5 million per applicant, was unveiled on Thursday while he was aboard Air Force One.
Holding up a sample card featuring his own image and the words “The Trump Card,” the president told reporters that the visa could be available “in less than two weeks.” He also revealed that he himself would be the first to purchase one, adding, “Pretty exciting, huh?”
The new visa program is a more expensive version of the traditional green card and is aimed at attracting wealthy investors to the United States. Trump has previously stated that the funds generated from these visa sales could help stimulate economic growth and even be used to reduce the national deficit.
The initiative comes as part of Trump’s broader immigration policies in his second term, which have focused on tightening border controls and increasing deportations of undocumented migrants. However, the president has described the gold card as a pathway to U.S. citizenship for those who can afford the hefty price tag.
Back in February, Trump mentioned that his administration hoped to sell “maybe a million” of these high-priced visas. When asked whether Russian oligarchs would be eligible, he did not rule out the possibility.
The gold card program is expected to spark debate, with critics likely to question whether selling residency favors the wealthy while making legal immigration harder for others. Supporters, however, may argue that the initiative could bring substantial financial benefits to the country.
