President Donald Trump has unveiled an ambitious plan to introduce a “gold card” visa—a new investor visa that would grant a pathway to U.S. citizenship for $5 million. This proposed program would replace the 35-year-old EB-5 visa, which currently offers residency to investors who create jobs in the U.S.
Speaking at his first Cabinet meeting of his second term, Trump suggested that this initiative could generate trillions of dollars in revenue, helping to pay off the national debt.
“If we sell a million, that’s $5 trillion,” Trump stated, emphasizing the potential huge economic impact of the idea.
According to Trump, the program is expected to attract high-net-worth individuals and businesses that can contribute significantly to the U.S. economy through spending, taxes, and job creation.
How Would the Gold Card Work?
The “gold card” visa would function similarly to a green card, granting permanent residency with an eventual path to citizenship. Trump claimed that the program would be widely popular, particularly among business leaders.
“Companies can buy gold cards and, in exchange, get those visas to hire new employees,” President Trump said to the media..
Unlike the EB-5 program, which required investors to invest $800,000 to $1 million and create at least 10 U.S. jobs, Trump’s gold card would have fewer restrictions on job creation and would be priced at a much higher rate.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that the current EB-5 program had been plagued by fraud and mismanagement, and the new visa would aim to eliminate loopholes while increasing revenue.
Will There Be Restrictions?
When asked about potential restrictions on applicants from countries like China or Iran, Trump suggested that there may be some limitations based on national security concerns, but not necessarily based on nationality.
“Maybe in terms of individuals, but not much in terms of countries,” he said.
While Congress typically determines citizenship qualifications, Trump claimed that the gold card program would not require congressional approval—a statement that could spark legal challenges.
Currently, investor visa programs exist in over 100 countries, including the U.K., Canada, Spain, Greece, and Australia. Trump’s proposal would place the U.S. in direct competition with these nations for wealthy investors.
As of now, details on the application process, vetting criteria, and timeline remain unclear. However, Trump expressed optimism that the gold card visa could be a game-changer for the U.S. economy.
Would this be a smart economic move or an unfair advantage for the wealthy? The debate is just beginning.
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