President Donald Trump launched the “Gold Card” visa program offering immigrants a fast track to residency for $1 million a pop. Trump’s immigration is designed to streamline the legal migrant process for highly skilled workers, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking to contribute directly to the U.S. economy.
The Gold Card visa announcement by Donald Trump marks a significant expansion of the president’s goal of shifting America’s immigration system toward merit-based entry – as Kristi Noem and ICE continue to focus on illegal immigrants and border enforcement.
The Gold Card visa prioritizes immigrant applicants with advanced professional qualifications, specialized expertise in high-demand industries, or a demonstrated ability to create businesses that hire American workers. Donald Trump’s Gold Card visa program is expected to fast-track applicants in fields experiencing national shortages, such as engineering, healthcare, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing.
Trump’s $1,000,000 Gold Card goes live, an applicant receives lawful permanent resident status as an EB-1 or EB-2 visa holder: “A direct path to citizenship for all qualified and vetted people. SO EXCITING!”
Trump says his new “Gold Card” will allow companies to keep people from… pic.twitter.com/sKnHCmOVpw
— Bruce Snyder (@realBruceSnyder) December 10, 2025
Donald Trump described his $1 million Gold Card as a way to “welcome the best and the brightest to America”—individuals who can immediately contribute to local economies, strengthen critical sectors, and expand the nation’s tax base. Trump administration officials stated the president’s immigration visa program is designed to help communities benefit from immigrants who are fiscally independent, have the financial capacity to create jobs, and are capable of providing specialized skills needed across a range of American industries.
Gold Card visa recipients would undergo an expedited, merit-based evaluation process, financial review, business ownership history, and a thorough background check. The expedited immigration program would also review any patents or innovations by the applicant paying $1 million for the Gold Card, as well as verified job offers from U.S. employers.
Applicants for Donald Trump’s Gold Card visa program who plan to launch businesses in the United States would be required to submit detailed business plans demonstrating potential job creation and sustainable operations.
BREAKING:
Trump announces USA will start selling gold cards in 2 weeks.
“We’re gonna put a price on that card of about $5 million and that’s going to give you green card privileges plus.
It’s going to be a route to citizenship and wealthy people will come to our country” pic.twitter.com/OJnhFLeWAL
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) February 25, 2025
The immigration visa is not meant to increase overall immigration numbers but to rebalance legal pathways toward applicants who can fill workforce gaps and stimulate economic growth, according to President Donald Trump. Administration officials noted that American communities rely heavily on tax revenue to support essential public services, including police, fire departments, EMS, and public schools. Attracting immigrants who immediately strengthen local tax bases, opposed to being a drain on them, will alleviate financial pressure on municipalities already stretched thin.
The Gold Card rollout by Donald Trump comes amid ongoing heated national debate over border security, illegal immigrants, and federal spending on migrant services. Trump’s team contrasted the Gold Card program with the influx of illegal border crossings in recent years, which they said has strained public resources and created challenges for states and municipalities tasked with housing, feeding, and providing medical care for illegal immigrants.
Trump advisers framed the Gold Card initiative as a clear alternative—one that encourages legal immigration aligned with American economic needs.
Early reaction to Trump’s Gold Card visa program from business groups has been largely favorable. Several national industry associations have long called for simplified legal pathways for skilled workers and investors, citing persistent labor shortages and difficulty competing with countries that offer more streamlined visa processes for top global talent. Economic analysts noted that similar programs in nations such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom have significantly increased foreign investment and contributed to job growth.
For now, the Donald Trump Gold Card visa initiative signals a renewed push to reshape the nation’s immigration system around economic and workforce priorities, with an emphasis on attracting individuals who enhance and not drain taxpayer funded programs and the economy in general.
