World Immigration News

Trump launches $1m 'gold card' immigration visas

Release Date: 2025-12-12
Media: BBC
Summary: Former President Donald Trump has launched the “Trump Gold Card,” a fast-track U.S. visa program targeted at wealthy foreigners who can pay at least $1 million. Trump describes the card as offering a “direct path to citizenship” for qualified applicants and a way for U.S. companies to retain valuable talent.

The Gold Card is intended for individuals who can demonstrate that they will bring “substantial benefit” to the U.S., with the $1 million payment itself considered evidence of such benefit. Companies sponsoring employees must pay $2 million, while a “platinum” version with special tax advantages will cost $5 million. Applicants must also pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee, and additional government fees may apply.

Critics, particularly Democrats, argue that the policy unfairly favors the wealthy. Trump, however, insists it targets “productive, high-level professionals,” claiming that people who can pay $5 million “will create jobs.”

The program comes amid an intensified immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. This includes increased deportations, a pause on visa applications from 19 countries under the travel ban, a halt on asylum decision processing, and a review of approvals issued under President Biden. Trump also ordered a new $100,000 fee for H-1B skilled-worker visa applicants, though the White House later clarified that it applies only to new applicants currently outside the U.S.
Tags: United States of America

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