Trump Gold Card Sells U.S. Citizenship for $5 Million

Key Takeaways

• The Trump Gold Card costs $5 million and grants instant permanent residency without job creation or business investment requirements.
• Over 1,000 Trump Gold Cards have reportedly been sold since May 2025, despite ongoing legal challenges regarding congressional approval.
• Applicants must pass security checks, provide detailed financial documentation, and can include spouses and children if full payment is made.

The “Trump Gold Card” is a new immigration program announced in early 2025 by President Trump. This initiative, sometimes called the Gold Card or Trump Card Visa, offers wealthy foreigners the chance to buy permanent residency and a clear path to U.S. citizenship. What makes the program stand out is its price tag: a single payment of $5 million paid directly to the U.S. government. As reported by VisaVerge.com and other reliable sources, this program is stirring debate due to its size, requirements, and potential impact on U.S. immigration policy.

Eligibility Requirements

The Trump Gold Card has clear and specific eligibility rules:

• Applicants must be foreign nationals able to pay $5 million. There are no exceptions or sliding scales.
• All applicants must pass security vetting meant to check for public safety or national security concerns.
• There are no restrictions regarding age, education, or business skills.
• There is no requirement to invest in any U.S. business, hire American workers, or create jobs.
• Companies can sponsor key employees for the Gold Card by paying the required fee on their behalf.
• Spouses and children may be included, but only if the main applicant qualifies and the $5 million is paid.

These simple eligibility rules make the Trump Gold Card different from other investor visas, especially the EB-5, where job creation, business targets, and more detailed personal history are part of the process.

Purpose and Benefits of the Trump Gold Card

The main goal of the Trump Gold Card is to bring investment revenue directly into the U.S. government. By charging a much higher price than previous investor programs, the administration hopes to attract ultra-wealthy applicants who want American residency with as few hurdles as possible.

Benefits include:

• Lawful permanent residency, which carries rights similar to a green card.
• Full right to live, work, and study anywhere in the United States.
• A direct and faster route toward U.S. citizenship than most other employment- or investment-based visas.
• No need to create jobs, invest in risky business projects, or prove the economic value of the funds beyond the payment itself.
• Companies can use the Gold Card as a tool for recruiting and keeping key talent.

Some supporters say this program could increase spending in the United States 🇺🇸 by wealthy immigrants and produce much-needed tax revenue. There are also proposals to limit taxation to only U.S.-source income under the Gold Card, making it even more attractive for international applicants.

Application Process

While official government pages have not yet been published with full instructions, media reports suggest the following steps for applicants:

1. Express Interest: Applicants declare their interest in the Trump Gold Card on certain U.S. government immigration forms, as these now include questions about the program.
2. Prepare Payment: Applicants must provide documentation that they can wire $5 million directly to the U.S. government. No loans or partial payments are allowed.
3. Security Vetting: Applicants go through checks for criminal history, sanctions, and national security risks.
4. Application Submission: Full applications are submitted digitally through the new online system. The domain trumpcard.gov has been registered for use in the process.
5. Decision: Once the background check and payment are confirmed, applicants will receive a decision.

The government has already begun digital integration for processing Gold Cards through systems like Customs and Border Protection (CBP), State Department consular applications, Global Entry, and the USCIS electronic system. Elon Musk’s team is reportedly helping to build this digital infrastructure.

Required Documents and Evidence

Based on information currently available, applicants will likely need to provide:

• Proof of identity and nationality (passport, birth certificate)
• Documents showing where the $5 million comes from; this could be bank records, investment account statements, or sale agreements
• Police records from all countries lived in for the past 10 years
• Evidence of health insurance and absence of serious health risks (may be required, following green card model)
• Possible statements explaining family relationships if applying as a group
• Declaration forms confirming application intent for the Trump Gold Card

Until formal guidelines are released, these remain the most likely requirements reflected by similar high-value migration programs.

Processing Times and Fees

• The main fee is $5 million, to be paid directly to the U.S. Treasury. This is a single, non-refundable amount.
• Reports claim that the process will be “expedited,” with application results promised within a few months, likely faster than green card applications under other business/investor tracks (which can often take over a year).
• No additional government filing fees have been publicly stated, but applicants may have to pay for other services, such as fingerprinting, background checks, or legal intermediaries.

No refund is available if the application fails due to background, criminal, or national security reasons, but more details are expected if regulations are published by DHS or USCIS.

Validity Period and Renewal Options

• The Trump Gold Card grants permanent residency, similar to a traditional green card.
• Holders can stay in the United States 🇺🇸 for unlimited periods once the card is granted.
• Permanent residency conditions apply: if a Green Card holder leaves the U.S. for a year or more without a reentry permit, the card may be considered abandoned.
• Renewal follows standard Green Card processes: cards must be replaced every 10 years.
• Children born after receiving a Gold Card in the U.S. are eligible for birthright citizenship under standard U.S. law.
• If a card is lost or stolen, standard replacement fees and processes apply.

Rights and Restrictions Associated With the Visa

Trump Gold Card holders have most rights and responsibilities of regular green card holders. They can:

• Live, work, and study anywhere in the United States 🇺🇸
• Apply for U.S. citizenship after five years as permanent residents, following existing rules for naturalization
• Access most U.S. educational and healthcare services
• Sponsor spouses and unmarried children under 21 for U.S. residency

However, they face some restrictions:

• They do not have the right to vote in federal or state elections until they gain citizenship
• They must follow the same U.S. residency requirements as other permanent residents (risk loss of residency if living outside the U.S. for extended periods)
• They may be subject to U.S. taxes on worldwide income, depending on their residency status—though some proposals suggest Gold Card holders could pay only on U.S.-sourced income
• Gold Card status can be revoked for certain crimes or for national security reasons

Pathways to Permanent Residency and U.S. Citizenship

The Trump Gold Card gives immediate permanent residency with the same legal status as a green card. After five years of permanent residency, cardholders may apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

The main pathway is:

1. Receive the Gold Card after payment and vetting
2. Live in the U.S. as a permanent resident for at least five years
3. Meet physical presence and good moral character requirements (similar to all other green card holders)
4. Apply for naturalization using the regular process and forms, which typically involves the N-400 Application for Naturalization
5. Pass the naturalization test and, if approved, take the Oath of Allegiance

This process mirrors the standard path from green card to U.S. citizenship, without any special shortcuts or exceptions.

Comparison With Similar Visa Types

Here’s how the Trump Gold Card compares to the well-known EB-5 Investor Visa:

• EB-5 applicants must invest between $800,000 and $1.05 million into specific U.S. businesses and prove that their investment creates at least 10 full-time jobs.
• The Trump Gold Card, by contrast, involves no project investment and no job creation. Applicants pay $5 million directly to the government.
• The EB-5 program has well-established legal support through Congress, but the Trump Gold Card is based on what President Trump claims is executive authority.
• Green card status is similar under both, but the cost of the Gold Card is much higher.

In other words, while EB-5 is a cheaper, but much more complicated path focused on jobs and economic activity, the Trump Gold Card is quicker and simpler for those who can afford the higher up-front payment. However, experts point out legal doubts about whether the Trump administration can introduce such a program without approval from Congress.

Addressing Common Misconceptions and Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Gold Card give instant U.S. citizenship?
A: No. Cardholders become permanent residents. Like all green card holders, they may apply for U.S. citizenship after living in the U.S. for five years and meeting all the other requirements.

Q: Do I have to invest in a U.S. company?
A: No. The entire process is based solely on the $5 million payment to the U.S. government with no need for business investment or job creation.

Q: Is the Gold Card the same as the EB-5 Visa?
A: No. The EB-5 is an established program where investment and job creation are central. The Gold Card requires only the payment, with the process and legal foundation currently in dispute.

Real-World Examples and Scenarios

Imagine a billionaire living outside the United States 🇺🇸 who wants the right to live in the country without having to run or invest in a business. Under the Gold Card program, they can pay $5 million and, if their background check is clear, receive permanent residency for themselves and their family, with the ability to later apply for U.S. citizenship.

Some international firms may also buy Gold Cards for top employees, making relocation simpler for key talent without the paperwork and delays that often come with employment-based green card programs.

Recent Changes and Updates

As of May 2025:

• Gold Card-related questions appear on some government immigration forms.
• The digital system for Gold Card applications is being rolled out across agencies.
• The domain trumpcard.gov has been registered for the program.
• Reports suggest over 1,000 cards have already been sold, and President Trump claims the program could attract up to one million buyers nationwide.
• Legal experts and immigration attorneys raise doubts over whether such a program can exist without Congress passing new laws.

Pros and Cons of the Trump Gold Card

Pros:
– Provides a quick and simple path to U.S. residency for the wealthy
– No need to manage businesses or create U.S. jobs
– Potential for high government revenue, which could support the economy or reduce national debt
– Offers flexibility for companies to sponsor key employees

Cons:
– Extremely high cost excludes all but the world’s wealthiest
– Facing legal uncertainty due to lack of formal congressional approval
– Criticized for creating a two-tier immigration system favoring only the rich
– Possible lack of demand, given few may want to pay such a steep price for residency only (not instant citizenship)
– Tax and residency issues may deter ultra-high-net-worth applicants

Additional Resources

For those interested in keeping up with official updates or in applying, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website covers current government-authorized green card programs and is expected to publish more information about the Trump Gold Card if it receives further approval.

Conclusion

The Trump Gold Card is a new and bold move in U.S. immigration. By offering a simple—albeit expensive—pathway to permanent residency and, eventually, U.S. citizenship, it targets the world’s wealthiest people and globally mobile employees. The program’s digital rollout, large reported sales, and high-level government support show real intent, even as critics and legal experts question the program’s legal foundation and social impact.

Anyone considering this program should watch carefully for changes in official guidance and legal rulings. The Trump Gold Card may reshape the way America 🇺🇸 welcomes new permanent residents, but there are still many questions about how long it will last and who will truly benefit. For the latest on immigration law and policy, VisaVerge.com will continue to offer updates as the situation develops.

Learn Today

Trump Gold Card → A special visa program offering U.S. permanent residency to foreigners paying $5 million directly to the U.S. government.
Permanent Residency → Legal status allowing a person to live and work indefinitely in the U.S., similar to holding a green card.
Security Vetting → Background and security checks applicants must pass to rule out criminal or national security concerns.
EB-5 Investor Visa → An established visa requiring investment in U.S. businesses and the creation of at least 10 jobs for Americans.
Naturalization → The legal process by which a permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen after meeting eligibility criteria.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Trump Gold Card, launched in 2025, allows ultra-wealthy foreigners to buy U.S. permanent residency for $5 million. This fast-track program skips job creation and business investment, stirring debate over legal authority and its impact on immigration. Over a thousand cards have been sold, but legal certainty remains unresolved.
— By VisaVerge.com

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