Key Takeaways
• Trump’s Gold Card would offer U.S. residency for a $5 million investment, replacing the EB-5 visa program.
• Despite bold claims, as of April 2025, no Gold Cards have been sold, and the program remains unlaunched.
• Critics worry about fairness, legal hurdles, security risks, and impacts on current EB-5 applicants.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has attracted major attention for his statements about a new immigration idea: the Trump “Gold Card.” This program would allow rich people from other countries to buy a path to live in the United States 🇺🇸 by paying $5 million. Let’s look closely at what Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has claimed, what the facts are, what the Gold Card would do, why some people are worried about it, and what it might mean for everyone involved.
Lutnick’s Talk of Demand for the Trump Gold Card
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has made big and sometimes surprising claims about how much excitement there is for the Trump Gold Card.
- On April 30, 2025, during a cabinet meeting, Lutnick said that one person wanted to buy 10 Trump Gold Cards in one go.
- In March 2025, on the “All-In Podcast,” Lutnick went even further, saying he sold 1,000 visas “yesterday,” and that this alone would bring in $5 billion.
- Back in February 2025, Lutnick explained on Fox News that about 250,000 people were “waiting in line” for a chance at the Gold Card or a similar visa. He suggested all those people could bring $1.25 trillion by paying $5 million each.
- Lutnick has also floated the idea that selling a million Gold Cards would mean $5 trillion in funds for the United States 🇺🇸. He often says there is real “thirst” for this chance.
These numbers sound dramatic and have been picked up widely by reporters and critics alike. As with many things in immigration, it is important to look closely at the facts behind such claims.
What’s Really Happening With the Gold Card?
Despite all these bold statements, the Trump Gold Card program simply does not exist yet.
- As of the end of April 2025, there is no official Gold Card application or process, and the U.S. government has not started accepting payments.
- The New York Times confirmed earlier this month that no money has changed hands so far—none of Lutnick’s claimed Gold Cards have actually been sold.
- Although Lutnick said the Gold Card would be ready by the end of April, the application process, website, and official details are still being built by teams from different government departments.
- There’s also confusion about Lutnick’s numbers. The current “EB-5” investor visa backlog is somewhere between 24,000 and 60,000, much less than the 250,000 “waiting in line” as Lutnick stated.
These gaps between what Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says and what has actually happened are important for anyone interested in immigration, especially those considering investment-based visas.
What Would the Trump Gold Card Program Offer?
Let’s break down the details of how the Gold Card would work if it moves ahead the way Lutnick has described:
- Replaces the EB-5 Program: The Gold Card is supposed to take the place of the current EB-5 visa. Today, the EB-5 lets foreign nationals invest $800,000 to $1.05 million and requires them to create at least 10 jobs in the United States 🇺🇸.
-
$5 Million Price Tag: The Gold Card would cost $5 million—five to six times higher than the existing EB-5. There would not be any limit on how many could be issued.
-
Permanent Residency and Citizenship Path: Successful applicants would become permanent residents, with the chance later on to become U.S. citizens if they choose.
-
Taxes on U.S. Income Only: One of the most talked-about parts—Gold Card holders would only pay taxes on the money they make inside the United States 🇺🇸. The money they earn in other countries would not be taxed by the United States.
-
Vetting Process: There would be an approval process to check who is applying. Lutnick and officials have said they will screen applicants, but details of this vetting are not yet clear.
-
No Cap on Gold Cards: There is no upper limit on how many people could get a Gold Card, at least based on what is public now.
-
Citizenship Choices: Lutnick has said that most card holders probably would not become U.S. citizens, because citizens are taxed on their worldwide income—a downside for the wealthy.
On the surface, this plan would give a new option to people with plenty of money who want to move to the United States 🇺🇸, promising a straightforward path to residency with fewer hoops to jump through than the current system.
Why Are Some People Worried?
A proposal of this size and style is sure to be controversial, and critics have been vocal.
Legal Problems
Many experts point out that simply “ending” or “replacing” the EB-5 visa is not so simple. The EB-5 program exists because of U.S. law. To change it, Congress would have to pass a new law—a step that is never easy or quick.
Fairness and Equity
One common concern is that this kind of program makes getting a green card mainly about having money. Critics say this process turns residency into something you can buy, creating a system with different rules for the rich and everyone else. Some worry it would mean only very rich people from other countries could hope to move to the United States 🇺🇸 in this way.
While the Trump administration has focused on deporting some immigrants, critics believe the Gold Card idea rewards the wealthy and could leave others with even fewer options.
Price Barrier Even for Current Applicants
Right now, there are thousands of families waiting for an EB-5 green card, often investing their life savings at the current rates. With the Gold Card, the price would jump to $5 million. Critics question whether current EB-5 applicants, many of whom stretched to meet the current requirements, would be forced out entirely.
Security Fears
Another worry is about who might use the Gold Card. Some have said that without a very tight screening process, even people who are not friendly to the United States 🇺🇸 could “buy” entry into the country. This could create risks if people with bad intentions or unclear backgrounds find it easy to get permanent residency.
Lutnick’s Claims Vs. Data
Finally, there is concern about Lutnick’s claims about high demand and numbers. His statements on podcasts and news shows are not matched by any real data yet. For example, the EB-5 backlog is much smaller than the 250,000 people supposedly waiting for Gold Cards. Reporters have pointed out that no cards have been sold, no money has arrived, and official websites and applications are still a work in progress.
The Wider Background: How Does This Fit Into U.S. Immigration?
To really grasp what the Trump Gold Card might mean, it helps to compare it to the present system and look at who it may affect:
- The EB-5 Visa Program: The current EB-5 has a long history and clear requirements. It has brought foreign money into the United States 🇺🇸, helping fund businesses and create jobs. But it has also created backlogs, and its lower investment amounts have attracted many families—often not “ultra-rich” but upper-middle-class investors.
- Global Competition: Other countries like Canada 🇨🇦, Australia 🇦🇺, and Portugal 🇵🇹 have their own programs that invite rich individuals to invest for a path to residency or citizenship. The Gold Card could put the United States 🇺🇸 in direct competition for the world’s wealthiest.
- Policy Direction: The Trump Gold Card is not just about attracting money. It could send a new signal about who is welcome and why—a big shift from systems focused on skills, family ties, or humanitarian reasons.
What Would the Impact Be?
If the Gold Card launches, it could have several direct and indirect results:
Rich Foreign Nationals
Wealthy people from other countries could see this as a simple way to live in the United States 🇺🇸. They would have a chance to invest, settle, and enjoy the benefits of U.S. residency—including school, health care, and, if they want, citizenship.
Current EB-5 Applicants
Families in the middle of the EB-5 process could find themselves outpriced. Instead of needing less than $1.1 million, they would have to pay five times as much. Many would have to give up on their dreams of moving to the United States 🇺🇸.
U.S. Economy
If even a fraction of Lutnick’s numbers are true, the program could raise large sums of money. However, many believe these estimates are far too high. With no cap, some are worried about impacts on housing, schools, and other public services if a surge of wealthy new residents settles all at once.
The Immigration System
The Gold Card could signal a change in U.S. immigration—less about family, work, or refuge, more about big money. Some say this could make the system look unfair to ordinary families trying to come to the United States 🇺🇸.
National Security
A rush of wealthy people from all around the world could create new security questions. The vetting process would need to be strict, or else there could be risks.
What Comes Next?
As of April 30, 2025, the Trump Gold Card is still being built. Government workers from several departments are putting together the website and forms. There is no way to apply right now, and no cards or money have been processed. Laws would need to be changed in Congress for the Gold Card to fully replace the EB-5 visa.
Anyone interested in this subject—including would-be applicants, immigration lawyers, and U.S. employers—should keep watching for real updates from official sources. You can always find the latest on the EB-5 program and U.S. investment immigration rules from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services official EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program page.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, it is important for anyone interested in the Gold Card or similar programs to look for updates directly from government sites, rather than relying only on statements made in media or podcasts.
Summary
The Trump Gold Card visa idea has become a big topic, thanks to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s eye-catching statements. Supporters say it could bring huge amounts of money into the country and give wealthy foreigners a clear path to residency. Critics argue it would favor the rich, push out current EB-5 applicants, and create fairness and security worries. The real details—and the program itself—are still being developed. For now, it’s a proposal with a powerful price tag and a lot of debate, but not yet a reality. Keep an eye on official government sources for the latest and most accurate information.
Learn Today
EB-5 Program → A U.S. visa system letting foreign nationals gain residency by investing $800,000-$1.05 million and creating 10 American jobs.
Gold Card → A proposed visa that grants permanent U.S. residency to foreigners investing $5 million, replacing the EB-5 program.
Permanent Residency → Official U.S. immigration status that allows an individual to live, work, and study in the United States indefinitely.
Vetting Process → Government procedures that review applicants’ backgrounds to assess eligibility, security risks, and admissibility criteria for visas.
Backlog → A queue of unresolved immigration cases, often referring to applicants waiting for visa processing due to limited quotas.
This Article in a Nutshell
The proposed Trump Gold Card would let wealthy foreigners buy U.S. residency for $5 million, but the program isn’t active yet. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s claims of huge demand remain unsupported by facts. Critics worry this would favor the rich and upend existing immigration, while regulatory and legal barriers persist.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• EU Court of Justice declares Malta golden passport program illegal
• Portugal Golden Visa restricts options to fund and business investments
• REAL ID: Look for a gold star to confirm your state-issued ID
• Golden visa programs reshape global migration priorities
• Golden Visas reshape global migration and investment trends
