Trump's New Gold Card Lets Foreigners Buy U.S. Residency for $1 Million

The United States has officially launched the "Gold Card," a new immigration program that allows wealthy foreigners to obtain U.S. residency in exchange for a substantial financial “gift.” Under the scheme, individuals who contribute $1 million — plus a $15,000 processing fee and pass a background check — can be fast-tracked to lawful permanent residency. Corporations that sponsor foreign employees can secure the same status by committing $2 million per person. 

The program replaces earlier investor-visa routes and aims to attract high-net-worth individuals and global talent, while generating revenue for the U.S. government. Commerce officials say the funds will be used to promote economic growth and support industry. 

Applications opened on December 10, 2025. According to government statements, the Gold Card offers a more "streamlined and powerful" alternative to traditional visa or green-card processes, with fewer conditions attached to job creation or investment mandates. 

Critics have warned the move marks a shift in U.S. immigration policy — one that favors wealth over merit or humanitarian considerations. They argue that turning residency into a financial transaction undermines long-standing ideals of fairness and equal opportunity. 

As the first applicants begin to sign up, the Gold Card is drawing both interest and intense scrutiny. For many around the world, it offers a fast pass to American residency — but for others, it raises deep questions about the meaning of immigration and national values.