The United States government is set to introduce a new immigration initiative dubbed the Gold Card, a premium residency program aimed at wealthy investors, with the goal of simplifying the path to U.S. citizenship. The program, which will officially roll out next week, has been touted as a strategic economic tool by the administration of President Donald Trump.
The announcement was made on Thursday by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during a cabinet meeting held at the White House. Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Lutnick stated: “I’m very excited that within a week and a half, we’re going to start with the Gold Card. The Trump Card is coming out.”
According to U.S. officials, the Gold Card program requires a minimum investment of $5 million, positioning it as a premium alternative to the current EB-5 immigrant investor visa. In addition to granting residency rights, the Gold Card promises to streamline the citizenship process for qualifying investors.
The Trump administration believes the initiative will not only bolster foreign investment but also contribute to job creation and the reduction of the national deficit. The program is expected to replace the EB-5 visa, a long-standing investment-based immigration route established in 1990. Under the EB-5 scheme, investors were required to inject at least $1 million into a U.S. enterprise, or $800,000 in economically disadvantaged areas, while also creating at least ten jobs for American workers.
Over 4,500 EB-5 visas were issued in 2024, but officials say the Gold Card will be more exclusive, targeting ultra-high-net-worth individuals who can make a more significant financial contribution to the U.S. economy.
Lutnick also touched on international trade developments, revealing that he and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have received a flurry of requests from foreign governments seeking to renegotiate trade terms.
“They’ve come up with offers that they would never have considered, if not for President Trump’s bold stance in demanding fair and respectful treatment of the United States,” he remarked.
The rollout of the Gold Card is already sparking debate in immigration and economic circles, with critics questioning its accessibility and fairness, while supporters hail it as a forward-thinking policy that aligns with global trends in investment-based immigration.
As the program prepares for launch, more details are expected to emerge on eligibility requirements, application procedures, and how it will coexist or fully phase out the EB-5 scheme.
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