President Donald Trump has unveiled a new immigration pathway that grants wealthy foreign nationals accelerated access to United States residency in return for a one million dollar contribution, creating a system that pairs strict immigration controls with a premium fast-track option for those able to meet the financial threshold.
The announcement was made at a White House roundtable on Wednesday, where Trump introduced the program known as the Trump Gold Card and opened its official website, trumpcard.gov. The portal went live the same afternoon and marks the federal government’s first public release of requirements, processing details, and application timelines.
According to the guidelines published online, applicants must first pay a fifteen thousand dollar processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security and complete a background review before becoming eligible to make the one million dollar contribution. Employers may also sponsor a foreign professional by paying two million dollars under a separate sponsorship route.
The administration states that successful applicants will receive permanent residency through the EB1 or EB2 categories. These visas are usually reserved for people who demonstrate exceptional or extraordinary ability in fields such as science, business, research, or the arts.
The program outlines a short timeline once documentation is submitted. Officials estimate processing will take only a number of weeks, although candidates must still attend an in-person interview and may be required to pay additional fees to the State Department. The website notes that applicants must provide all requested materials on time to avoid delays.
The introduction of the Trump Gold Card places a high-value economic contribution at the center of a new immigration channel and creates a pathway designed to operate alongside the administration’s broader push for restrictive border measures and stricter eligibility criteria across other visa categories.
