'Trump Gold Card' offers US permanent residency for $1m, plus fees
A US immigration visa that opens doors to the "American dream" was launched on Wednesday. The catch? It costs a cool $1m - plus fees.
Unlike other visas, this one is named after President Donald Trump, who officially announced it at a White House roundtable and hailed the news as “SO EXCITING” on his Truth Social account, after signing an executive order for its implementation on 19 September.
Prospective applicants to the "Trump Gold Card" programme will first have to pay a non-refundable processing fee of $15,000 to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which will trigger an "expedited" application review to assess eligibility.
The website says applicants will “receive US residency in record time”, promising a processing time of "weeks".
The next step after the individual has been vetted includes a $1m "gift payment" that serves as "evidence that the individual will substantially benefit the United States".
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
But it's not just individuals who can apply. Corporations can also "sponsor" employees, individually or for multiple employees simultaneously, with a charge of $2m per employee.
The advantage of the "Trump Corporate Gold Card", according to the website, is that if an employer wishes to cease sponsoring one employee, the initial $2m gift payment can then be transferred to the new employee's application without a new payment.
The visa is similar to the US Green Card in that it grants lawful permanent residence and provides a pathway to citizenship. The website compares the legal classification to that of EB-1 and EB-2 visa holders but states that DHS will determine it "subject to availability".
The gift payments will go to the Department of Commerce rather than to the DHS or the State Department.
'Pay-to-play scheme'
Spouses and families of each applicant will also be subject to the $1m payment, as well as the $15,000 processing fee per applicant.
Several fees are mentioned in passing on the website with no indication as to whether they are regular fees or one-time fees.
"An individual may also need to pay small, additional fees to the US Department of State depending on his or her circumstances," the website says.
Like all other permanent residents of the US, all holders are subject to US tax, including on non-US income. To gain tax benefits on non-US income, wealthy individuals will need to apply for the "Trump Platinum Card", which, according to the website, is "coming soon".
While Trump has cracked down on both illegal and legal immigration pathways for certain demographics - poor, vulnerable and at-risk populations, largely from the Global South - he has opened select doors for wealthy individuals and corporations.
The Trump administration has also revoked at least 85,000 visas in less than a year in office, and Gold Card holders will also face potential revocation if they are deemed "national security or criminal risks", the website says.
US Senator Dick Durbin lambasted the visa, saying it was “an illegal pay-to-play scheme that undermines our values and rewards wealth over hard work, talent, and a love for America".
“We need a fair and orderly immigration system that preserves our safety and national security, attracts the best and brightest, and maintains our status as a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable,” he said.
“Instead of creating policies that help American businesses and families, President Trump is rolling out the welcome mat for Russian oligarchs and cartel bosses.”
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
