Donald Trump’s new "Gold Card" visa is making waves, offering US citizenship for a direct $5 million payment. While Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claims 1,000 are sold daily, billionaires worldwide are giving it a hard pass.
Speaking on the All-In Podcast, Lutnick estimated that 37 million people worldwide could afford the card, and Trump hopes to sell at least a million. Unlike the current EB-5 investor visa, which requires a $1.05 million investment and job creation, the Gold Card comes with no such strings attached—just a straight payment to the US government.
The Gold Card’s appeal lies in its speed and exclusivity. It eliminates long wait times and quotas associated with the EB-5 visa, which is capped at 18,786 visas annually. However, its $5 million price tag is proving a tough sell.
In a Forbes survey of 18 billionaires, 13 dismissed the idea outright. "If you’re a billionaire, you don’t need it," remarked a Canadian billionaire. A Russian counterpart questioned, "Who will pay $5 million for this?" Others, like Indian healthcare tycoon Abhay Soi, voiced national pride, stating, "I wouldn’t want to be a citizen of any country other than India—especially in this century."
Despite the skepticism, Trump’s team remains bullish. If even a fraction of the world’s ultra-wealthy bite, the scheme could inject billions into the US economy. Yet, whether the Gold Card becomes a golden opportunity or a political gimmick remains to be seen.
