U.S. President Donald Trump has formally launched the much-anticipated “Trump Card” programme — also known as the “Gold Card” — offering foreign nationals a pathway to U.S. residency in exchange for a $5 million (approx. £3.9 million) payment to the government.
In a post shared Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the initiative as “somewhat like a Green Card, but at a higher level of sophistication.”
The programme does not offer guaranteed U.S. citizenship, but promises what Trump called a “beautiful road in gaining access to the Greatest Country.”
According to Trump, the “Gold Card” is now open for applicants via the new government-run portal, trumpcard.gov, where interested individuals can sign up to join a waitlist. Trump claimed that “thousands have been calling and asking how they can sign up.”
The announcement marks a controversial attempt to monetise access to the United States, and Trump maintains that the programme does not require Congressional approval, as it does not directly grant citizenship.
Instead, it offers a pathway — though details on how the programme integrates with existing U.S. immigration laws remain unclear.
Legal experts note that the most common route to permanent residency is through the naturalisation process, which requires individuals to live in the United States for at least five years, demonstrate English proficiency, and meet the “good moral character” standard set by immigration authorities.
The fine print of Trump’s social media post also emphasised that the Gold Card “doesn’t guarantee” citizenship but provides access to what he described as “the Greatest Country and Market anywhere in the World.”
Earlier this month, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick signalled that the scheme would be particularly attractive to investors and professionals in India.
Speaking at the 2025 U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, Lutnick predicted strong demand from the Indian market.
“We are going to be incredibly successful in India,” he said during a keynote address. “So, when people ask me, ‘When are you coming to India?’ I’d say, ‘When I launch the Trump Card, I promise you I’m coming to India.’”
The launch has already stirred debate in Washington, with critics raising concerns over the ethics and legality of attaching a price tag to residency opportunities.
While Trump and his allies argue the scheme boosts economic engagement and offers a premium route for high-net-worth individuals, immigration advocates warn it may exacerbate inequality in an already complex system.
As of now, there is no timeline for when successful applicants may receive their Gold Cards, and U.S. immigration agencies have yet to clarify the legal framework under which the scheme will operate.
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