In a bold move, US President Donald Trump has announced his innovative "Gold Card" plan, a $5 million visa initiative designed to replace the existing EB-5 immigrant investor programme.
This proposal, aimed at attracting wealthy foreigners to the United States, has sparked widespread discussion about its implications for immigration, the economy, and national debt reduction. Here’s everything you need to know about Trump’s Gold Card plan.
President Trump has introduced the Gold Card as a pathway to US citizenship, targeting high-net-worth individuals willing to pay $5 million for permanent residency. Unlike the EB-5 programme, which requires investments between $800,000 and $1 million to create or preserve US jobs, the Gold Card sets a significantly higher financial bar.
President Trump emphasised that this initiative would appeal to "world-class individuals" who could stimulate job creation and economic growth, as echoed in posts from X users, who highlighted Trump’s vision of generating trillions through the programme.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick detailed the rollout, suggesting the programme could launch within two weeks of the announcement. Lutnick also noted that selling 200,000 Gold Cards could generate $1 trillion to help pay down the national debt.
This ambitious financial strategy has drawn both praise and scepticism. Some experts called it a "mutually beneficial" boon for the economy, potentially injecting $5 trillion into the US if 1 million cards are sold, while critics, see it as another Trump "grift."
President Trump himself is confident in its appeal, saying, "It’ll sell like crazy," predicting that wealthy investors—potentially including Russian oligarchs, per USA Today—would flock to buy in. President Trump also claimed that these buyers would "spend heavily, pay taxes, and create jobs," aligning with his broader economic agenda.
While the Gold Card plan bypasses Congressional approval, it raises questions about accessibility and equity in US immigration policy. For now, Trump’s proposal positions the US as a premium destination for the global elite, blending immigration reform with economic strategy.
