President Donald Trump has introduced a new program called the ‘gold card’ that provides a pathway to US citizenship for individuals who are willing to invest $1 million. The application website went live on Wednesday, December 10, as Trump launched the initiative alongside business leaders at the White House.
Just before the program’s launch, Trump announced on Truth Social that the ‘Trump Gold Card’ offers a direct route to citizenship for qualified individuals. The program aims to replace the EB-5 visas established in 1990 to attract foreign investment by requiring a $1 million investment in a company employing at least 10 people.
Individuals who can afford the full amount can apply for Trump’s visa, while corporations must pay double per foreign-born employee. Trump believes this program will help the US attract top talent and generate revenue for the government. All funds collected will be directed to the US Treasury Department for positive use in the country.
The ‘gold card’ is essentially a green card, providing permanent legal residency with the opportunity for citizenship. Trump described it as a stronger and more effective version of the traditional green card. Notably, the president did not mention specific requirements for job creation by participating corporations or set overall program caps, aiming to address challenges faced by businesses in hiring international graduates.
Trump emphasized the need to retain talented individuals from US universities who lack permission to stay, citing difficulties in recruiting graduates due to immigration restrictions. The program aims to streamline the process of retaining skilled individuals in the US workforce.
