POTUS Donald Trump has just announced the creation of the “Trump Gold Card.” We’ve known for years that the man is obsessed with gold—who can forget his slightly tacky apartment in Trump Tower?—but few imagined he would literally create a golden card. In reality, it is a mechanism that promises to speed up visa processing for those who can afford the high entry price. Remember the Fast Passes at Disneyland and other theme parks? Where you can go on all the rides you want if you pay even more on top of the park entrance fee? Well, this is the same thing.
The card, publicly unveiled last Wednesday, October 10, 2025, requires an initial investment of $1 million and includes benefits similar to those of a permanent resident… Only with this one, you don’t have to wait in such long lines.
Truth Social’s official announcement of Trump Gold Card
The Trump administration was quick to celebrate the launch of the program on Truth Social: “The Trump Gold Card from the United States Government is here!” It also included a link to the official website where applicants can begin the process. Although we assume that if you have $1 million to invest out of pocket, your secretary is probably already doing it for you.
The initiative is aimed at anyone who is already in the United States and returns to regularize their immigration status. If they are able to make the required financial investment, they are given the green light. According to the administration, this is a tool to attract foreign investment, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled professionals. If they are able to bring in $1 million in investment, it is very unlikely that they will be a burden on the national economy. The United States is returning to the days when it was very picky about the people who entered its territory, as it did not want people who did not contribute anything to its society.
Obviously, some criticism has made us wait. Immigration specialists warn that the program could generate ethical and legal controversies (no shit, Sherlock). They have compared it to the so-called “golden visas” already used in several European and Caribbean countries to grant residency in exchange for direct investment. However, these types of visas are quite symbolic, since they do not attract hundreds of thousands of people, but rather only hundreds of cases (at most) end up using this route to obtain residency due to the high initial investment cost.
Trump Gold Card Tiers
Similar to Disneyland and Universal Studios Fast Passes, the Gold Card has three versions for the immigration program: there is the individual gold card, which requires the aforementioned $1 million investment.
There is also the Corporate Gold Card, which is intended for companies seeking to retain or relocate foreign talent—this one costs $2 million.
Finally, there is the Platinum Card with extended benefits (we are afraid to ask or investigate what these benefits entail). This last Platinum card requires a $5 million investment. Apart from this, all cards require a non-refundable administrative fee of $15,000—yes, we know that’s pocket change in comparison.
A substitute for the EB-5 visa?
Any government with half a brain and a passing knowledge of economics understands that it needs to make its country attractive to investors. After all, capital injections are always good for the economy. That is why Donald Trump’s administration argues that this new mechanism modernizes and simplifies immigration processes for this type of high-net-worth investor.
Some officials already see it as a possible replacement for the old M-five visa, which since 1990 has allowed residency through significant investments in projects that will generate at least 10 jobs within the country.
For now, this golden card faces regulatory challenges, as its parameters do not fully comply with the requirements established by previous immigration laws. However, at a time when illegal immigration is the biggest problem, it is very difficult to get upset about a symbolic card that only grants residency if the person is willing to invest a large sum in the country.