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.
The program allows wealthy individuals and businesses to make large payments—referred to as “gifts” to the United States—in exchange for legal residency rights. For many, it represents a simpler alternative to older systems that required complicated business investments, job creation, or years of waiting.
Trump Gold Card Price and Requirements
Here is a breakdown of the cost structure and requirements:
- Individual Applicants:
The price is $1,000,000 per person. Applicants must pay this as a direct contribution to qualify. In addition, there are nonrefundable processing fees and extensive background checks by federal agencies. - Corporate Sponsorship:
Companies can sponsor employees through a $2,000,000 contribution per sponsored worker. This option is designed for multinational corporations that want to relocate or hire foreign executives and talent. - Platinum Card Option:
In addition to the Gold Card, a higher-tier Platinum Card has been announced with a price tag of $5,000,000. While still in its early stages, it promises more benefits, including extended stays in the U.S. without certain tax burdens.
How It Compares to the Green Card and EB-5 Visa
For decades, the EB-5 investor visa allowed foreigners to gain residency by investing at least $800,000 in U.S. projects that created jobs. That program often involved lengthy approval times and strict job-creation requirements.
The Trump Gold Card removes those conditions. Instead of directing money into a specific project, applicants simply provide the required contribution. This makes the process faster and potentially more attractive to ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
By comparison:
- EB-5 Visa: Requires investment plus job creation.
- Employment-Based Green Cards: Based on skills, qualifications, or company sponsorship with strict quotas.
- Trump Gold Card: Based purely on financial contribution.
Benefits of the Trump Gold Card
Supporters of the program highlight several potential benefits:
- Simplicity: No complex business planning or long waiting periods.
- Prestige: A symbol of wealth and status, marketed as an exclusive residency option.
- Corporate Advantage: Companies can use it to bring in global talent quickly.
- Revenue Generation: Billions of dollars are expected to flow into federal coffers through this initiative.
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 Gold Card is designed to appeal to:
- Ultra-wealthy individuals from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe who want residency rights in the U.S.
- Entrepreneurs and global investors seeking flexibility for their families.
- Multinational companies looking for smoother ways to bring executives and specialized talent into the country.
The Platinum Card: A Step Beyond
While the Gold Card sets the entry price at $1 million, the Platinum Card introduces an even higher bar at $5 million. Early details suggest it may include tax advantages and longer stays without being considered a U.S. tax resident. Interest is already growing among high-net-worth applicants, though it remains in a wait-list stage.
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.