The Trump Gold Card price has officially been set at $1 million for individuals who want to secure residency in the United States. This announcement, made in September 2025, represents one of the most dramatic shifts in American immigration policy in decades. Instead of requiring years of paperwork, complicated investment structures, or strict job-creation quotas, the Gold Card introduces a straightforward approach: contribute a large sum of money directly to the United States and gain access to residency rights.
The program is designed with a clear target in mind—wealthy individuals and corporations willing to make substantial financial commitments in exchange for faster approval. By creating this path, the Trump administration hopes to position the United States as a premium destination for global investors and high-net-worth families. For individuals, it offers a once-unthinkable opportunity: bypass the traditional maze of visa categories and obtain a direct path to residency with a single qualifying contribution.
Corporations also stand to benefit. Under the Gold Card system, companies can sponsor foreign employees through multimillion-dollar contributions, giving them greater flexibility in attracting international executives and specialized talent. By making the Gold Card price a headline figure—$1 million for individuals and $2 million per sponsored worker—the administration has made the program both clear and highly exclusive.
Beyond its immediate impact on immigration, the initiative is intended to boost U.S. revenue. Each approved Gold Card application brings in millions of dollars, and officials have projected that the program could generate tens of billions in new funds. Supporters argue this infusion will strengthen the economy, while critics warn it could create a two-tiered immigration system where wealth determines access to opportunity.
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What Is the Trump Gold Card?
The Trump Gold Card is a new residency option introduced by the Trump administration. Unlike traditional immigration routes such as the EB-5 investor visa or employment-based green cards, the Gold Card focuses directly on financial contributions rather than business ventures or labor certifications. Under this program, wealthy individuals, global entrepreneurs, and established businesses can qualify by making significant monetary payments—referred to as “gifts” to the United States government—instead of navigating lengthy bureaucratic hurdles. These contributions are designed to support national development projects, infrastructure improvements, and economic growth initiatives. For many applicants, the Trump Gold Card represents a faster, simpler, and more predictable alternative to older systems that required complex business investments, proof of job creation, or years of waiting through backlogged immigration processes. It is being positioned as both a patriotic opportunity for contributors and a strategic move to attract high-net-worth individuals who want stability, security, and long-term residency in America.
Trump Gold Card Price and Requirements
The Trump Gold Card program is built around clear financial thresholds, with different pathways depending on whether the applicant is applying as an individual, through corporate sponsorship, or seeking the premium-level Platinum option. Unlike traditional visas that emphasize employment history, family ties, or entrepreneurial job creation, this initiative focuses exclusively on direct financial contributions, making it both straightforward and high-impact. Below is a detailed breakdown of the cost structure and requirements:
Individual Applicants
For individuals, the entry price is $1,000,000 per person, which must be paid as a direct contribution to the U.S. government. This payment is considered non-investment based, meaning it does not require the applicant to manage a business or prove economic activity. In addition to this contribution, applicants are responsible for nonrefundable processing fees that cover administrative costs. Each applicant must also pass extensive background checks conducted by multiple federal agencies, ensuring compliance with national security and financial integrity standards. The goal is to welcome individuals who can provide immediate fiscal support while maintaining America’s security priorities.
Corporate Sponsorship
For multinational corporations and global enterprises, the program offers a corporate pathway. Companies can sponsor employees through a $2,000,000 contribution per sponsored worker. This route is designed to help major firms relocate executives, senior management, or high-value talent to the United States without navigating traditional employment-based visa caps. By shifting the burden from complex labor certifications to a straightforward financial contribution, corporations gain a faster and more predictable way to secure U.S. residency rights for their key personnel.
Platinum Card Option
For ultra-high-net-worth individuals, the Trump administration has also introduced a premium tier known as the Platinum Card, priced at $5,000,000 per applicant. Although the details are still being finalized, the Platinum Card is positioned as an elite residency option that goes beyond the Gold Card’s benefits. Early reports suggest it may include extended stays in the U.S. without certain tax burdens, priority access to government services, and enhanced flexibility for global mobility. The Platinum Card is being marketed as a long-term solution for the wealthiest applicants who desire maximum security, prestige, and freedom of residency in America.
How It Compares to the Green Card and EB-5 Visa
For decades, the EB-5 investor visa has been one of the primary pathways for wealthy foreigners to obtain U.S. residency. Under the EB-5 program, applicants were required to invest at least $800,000 in government-approved projects, typically in targeted employment areas. Beyond the monetary threshold, investors also had to prove that their funds directly created or preserved at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs, a requirement that often demanded years of waiting, extensive documentation, and approval delays. Many applicants found themselves entangled in backlogs, leaving them uncertain about when or if permanent residency would be granted.
The Trump Gold Card eliminates those traditional conditions entirely. Instead of funneling money into a specific business venture or development project, applicants are asked to make a direct contribution to the United States government. This “gift” model simplifies the process by removing the need to monitor job creation, oversee investments, or provide years of financial reporting. The result is a system that is faster, more predictable, and especially appealing to ultra-high-net-worth individuals who want immediate residency rights without tying their funds to ongoing projects.
By comparison, other U.S. residency options continue to carry more complex requirements:
- EB-5 Visa: Requires a minimum $800,000 investment into qualified projects plus proof of job creation.
- Employment-Based Green Cards: Depend on professional skills, academic qualifications, or employer sponsorship, with strict annual quotas and long waiting lists for applicants from certain countries.
- Trump Gold Card: Based purely on a financial contribution, with no investment management, job creation, or lengthy backlogs.
For many, this marks a fundamental shift in U.S. immigration strategy—moving from performance-based immigration (jobs, skills, or projects) to contribution-based immigration (direct payments). It reflects the Trump administration’s broader emphasis on streamlining processes and prioritizing applicants who can provide immediate fiscal benefits to the country.
Read Also-President Trump’s New Residency Program Reshaping U.S. Immigration
Benefits of the Trump Gold Card
Supporters of the Trump Gold Card point to several key advantages that distinguish it from traditional immigration programs. By focusing on direct contributions rather than complicated investment or employment requirements, the program is being positioned as one of the most streamlined residency options in U.S. history.
1. Simplicity
Unlike the EB-5 visa or employment-based green cards, the Gold Card requires no complex business planning, job-creation targets, or long waiting periods. Applicants are not burdened with proving the success of an investment or demonstrating the impact of their contribution on the labor market. Instead, the process is straightforward: meet the financial threshold, pass security checks, and secure residency rights. This clarity appeals to global elites who value efficiency and certainty.
2. Prestige
The Gold Card is being marketed not just as a residency option, but also as a symbol of wealth, exclusivity, and status. Much like luxury real estate or rare collectibles, it carries a brand appeal tied to the Trump administration’s emphasis on premium positioning. For many high-net-worth individuals, acquiring the Gold Card offers a blend of legal stability in the United States and international prestige that signals both success and influence.
3. Corporate Advantage
Multinational corporations stand to benefit significantly from the program. Through the corporate sponsorship pathway, companies can quickly bring in executives, senior managers, and specialized talent without navigating the red tape of traditional visa categories. This flexibility makes it easier for businesses to relocate global headquarters, expand U.S. operations, or secure top-tier international talent—all while bypassing lengthy immigration queues.
4. Revenue Generation
From the U.S. government’s perspective, the Gold Card is a powerful tool for revenue generation. With contributions starting at $1 million for individuals and even higher for corporate and Platinum applicants, the program has the potential to funnel billions of dollars directly into federal coffers. Supporters argue that these funds can be redirected into infrastructure, public services, and economic growth projects, creating a win-win scenario for both the country and the applicants.
5. Speed and Certainty
Another often-cited benefit is the speed of approval compared to other immigration channels. Where EB-5 and employment-based green cards can take years to process, the Trump Gold Card is designed to move much faster, offering wealthy applicants greater certainty and peace of mind in securing U.S. residency.
Criticism and Concerns
Not everyone is celebrating the new program. Critics have voiced several concerns:
- Favoring the Wealthy: The system creates a path for billionaires and millionaires, leaving ordinary immigrants with the same long waits and hurdles.
- Legal Questions: Immigration law is traditionally set by Congress. Some experts question whether the president has full authority to introduce this program without legislative approval.
- Ethics: Allowing people to “buy” residency may undermine the principle of merit-based or family-based immigration.
- Transparency: It remains unclear how many Gold Cards will be issued annually, how applications will be prioritized, and whether limits will be set.
Financial Impact
The administration expects this program to bring in over $100 billion in contributions. Each Gold Card sold at $1 million means a direct transfer of funds to the U.S. Treasury. With corporations willing to sponsor top employees at $2 million each, the potential revenue could be even greater.
For applicants, however, the cost is steep. It places residency firmly in the category of luxury—accessible only to individuals or companies with vast resources.
Who Might Apply?
The Trump Gold Card is structured to attract a very specific demographic of applicants—those with the financial capacity to make significant contributions and the desire for easier access to U.S. residency. Unlike traditional visa categories, which often cater to students, skilled workers, or family-based applicants, this program is aimed squarely at the global elite and high-powered institutions.
1. Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals
The primary audience for the Gold Card includes ultra-wealthy individuals from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, regions with growing numbers of billionaires and high-net-worth families. Many of these applicants view U.S. residency as both a security measure and a lifestyle upgrade—offering world-class healthcare, educational opportunities for their children, and access to the American financial system. For them, the Gold Card provides a faster and more straightforward path compared to navigating the EB-5 or other investor visas.
2. Entrepreneurs and Global Investors
Another major group expected to apply are entrepreneurs and international investors who want maximum flexibility for themselves and their families. The Gold Card makes it possible to secure U.S. residency without being tied to a single business venture or investment project. This appeals to global business leaders who frequently move capital across borders, diversify portfolios, and need residency options that match their fast-paced lifestyles. For families, it also provides a long-term safety net, ensuring children can access American universities and enjoy the benefits of living in the U.S.
3. Multinational Corporations
Finally, the program is designed with corporate sponsorship opportunities in mind. Major multinational companies can leverage the Gold Card to relocate executives, bring in top-tier managers, or secure specialized foreign talent with fewer bureaucratic hurdles. Instead of battling annual visa caps, lengthy labor certifications, and unpredictable waiting lists, corporations can streamline the process through direct contributions. For businesses competing globally, this creates a major advantage in attracting and retaining world-class talent.
The Platinum Card: A Step Beyond
While the Trump Gold Card establishes its entry price at $1 million, the Platinum Card raises the bar significantly with a contribution requirement of $5 million per applicant. This premium tier is designed to cater to the ultra-high-net-worth elite, positioning itself as one of the most exclusive residency pathways in the world.
Early details suggest that the Platinum Card will offer enhanced privileges and financial flexibility beyond what the Gold Card provides. Among the most talked-about features are potential tax advantages, including extended stays in the United States without triggering full U.S. tax residency status. For global investors, entrepreneurs, and wealthy families who frequently move between jurisdictions, this distinction is a powerful incentive, allowing them to enjoy the benefits of American residency without being tied to the country’s complex tax obligations.
Another expected advantage is longer, more flexible residency terms, which could include priority processing, fewer renewal requirements, and expedited services across federal agencies. While specifics are still being finalized, supporters note that these perks align with what competing countries offer in their top-tier residency-by-investment programs, such as the UAE Golden Visa or Monaco’s residency permits.
Interest in the Platinum Card is already surging among billionaires, global business leaders, and prominent families, even though it remains in a wait-list stage as final guidelines are drafted. Immigration attorneys and wealth managers report that many of their clients are closely monitoring developments, eager to secure a spot in what could become the most prestigious residency option ever introduced by the United States.
The Platinum Card, in essence, represents not just residency but status, security, and exclusivity at the highest level. It signals that the U.S. is opening its doors in a selective, premium-focused way—rewarding those willing to make the largest financial contributions with unmatched privileges.
Political and Public Reactions
Public reaction has been sharply divided. Supporters argue that the program is innovative, generates massive revenue, and positions the U.S. as a premium destination for the wealthy.
Opponents counter that it sends the wrong message—prioritizing money over skills, diversity, and traditional immigration values. Legal challenges may also surface, especially around how the contributions are treated and whether the president has the authority to bypass existing visa programs.
What the Trump Gold Card Price Means for the Future
At $1,000,000 for individuals and $2,000,000 for corporations, the Trump Gold Card has redefined the economics of immigration. It is not designed for most immigrants, but for a small elite group who can afford it.
The program will likely reshape the U.S. immigration landscape, influencing how wealth intersects with residency rights. Whether it becomes a long-standing policy or faces challenges in the courts and Congress remains to be seen.
Final Thoughts
The Trump Gold Card price sets a new standard for residency in America. At a million-dollar threshold, it represents both an opportunity for the ultra-wealthy and a point of controversy in the ongoing debate over U.S. immigration policy.
What do you think—should residency be tied to wealth, or should other factors matter more? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation.
