$5M Visa for U.S. Citizenship Starts in Two Weeks

Donald Trump, President of the United States, revealed on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, that the Gold Card program, dubbed the “golden ticket” to American citizenship, will launch in two weeks, offering foreigners a path to citizenship for a $5 million fee, roughly $28.7 million reais at current exchange rates. Unveiled the previous day from the Oval Office, the initiative targets wealthy immigrants willing to invest in the U.S., aiming to generate jobs and chip away at the nation’s staggering $34 trillion public debt. Trump, who has vowed to deport all undocumented immigrants, emphasized that the Gold Card will replace the EB-5 investor program, long criticized for fraud and low investment thresholds. Priced at $5 million per visa, the new program promises a direct route to citizenship with enhanced privileges over the traditional Green Card, though specifics remain undisclosed. The announcement, made amidst a hardline stance on illegal immigration, has sparked debates over its economic potential and security implications.

The Gold Card will undergo strict vetting by U.S. authorities, but operational details are sparse so far. Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce, stated that the program will allow American companies to purchase visas for top-tier foreign workers, a move Trump touts as a boost to the economy. With sales slated to begin in mid-March, the initiative could inject billions into the U.S. treasury while reshaping immigration policy to favor the ultra-rich. The contrast between mass deportation pledges and this elite entryway has already drawn attention, with Trump suggesting the revenue could help offset the national debt, a figure that ballooned past $34 trillion in recent years.

At this juncture, 47 minutes into Trump’s latest policy push, the Gold Card stands as a bold gambit to attract global wealth while tightening borders. The program’s rollout in two weeks will clarify its mechanics, but for now, it promises to redefine who gets to call America home—provided they can pay the steep price.

Gold Card Targets U.S. Debt Reduction

The Gold Card aims to ease the burden of America’s $34 trillion public debt, a figure that has grown by nearly $10 trillion since 2020. Trump highlighted that each $5 million visa sale will contribute directly to this effort, framing it as a dual-purpose tool to both fund the government and lure foreign investment. The revenue, he claims, will flow into a fund designed to bolster the U.S. economy without compromising national security.

Howard Lutnick elaborated that unlike the EB-5, which required investments as low as $800,000 for permanent residency, the Gold Card sets a far higher bar at $5 million, aiming to curb the fraud that plagued its predecessor. This shift targets a select pool of affluent applicants, promising citizenship rather than just residency, with additional perks still under wraps.

Replacing EB-5 Signals Immigration Overhaul

Overhauling the EB-5 program, launched in 1990 to stimulate economic growth through foreign investment, is central to the Gold Card’s purpose. The EB-5 issued around 10,000 visas annually in recent years, requiring applicants to create at least 10 U.S. jobs or invest in high-unemployment areas. However, it faced scrutiny for fraudulent schemes, including fake job-creation projects, prompting Trump and Lutnick to propose its replacement with a more exclusive alternative.

With the Gold Card, the $5 million price tag dwarfs the EB-5’s threshold, and citizenship replaces residency as the prize. This marks a significant pivot in U.S. immigration strategy, prioritizing wealth over broader economic contributions, with the first sales set to begin in mid-March following further clarification from the administration.

Initial Framework of the Gold Card Unveiled

Details of the Gold Card are emerging slowly, with Trump confirming a $5 million fee per visa, akin to the Green Card in form but elevated in status. Unlike the EB-5, which offered residency after a two-year conditional period, the Gold Card fast-tracks citizenship, a feature Trump underscored as a key selling point. Companies can also buy visas for skilled foreign workers, expanding the program’s scope beyond individual investors.

U.S. authorities will scrutinize applicants’ backgrounds and funding sources, though the exact timeline and criteria remain undefined. Full details will be released in two weeks, aligning with the program’s launch, expected around March 12, when bidding opens to millionaires worldwide.

Security Risks Echo European Concerns

Similar programs, like Europe’s Golden Visa, have raised red flags in the past. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain once offered residency for high-value investments, often in real estate, but phased them out after the European Commission flagged risks of money laundering and internal security breaches. Portugal’s Golden Visa, for instance, raked in over €6 billion between 2012 and 2022 before its suspension due to corruption concerns.

In the U.S., Trump’s casual remark about welcoming “some very good” Russian oligarchs has fueled speculation about the Gold Card’s vulnerabilities. With a $5 million entry fee and citizenship on offer, the program could attract controversial figures, testing the promised vetting process as it rolls out in mid-March.

Timeline of the Gold Card Rollout

The Gold Card follows a tight schedule set by Trump’s administration. Key dates include:

• February 25: Trump announces the Gold Card program.
• February 26: Sales confirmed to start in two weeks.
• Mid-March: Official launch and visa sales begin.

Further specifics on eligibility and procedures will emerge before the mid-March debut, as pledged by the government.

Companies Gain Tool to Attract Global Talent

Allowing U.S. companies to purchase Gold Cards for foreign workers is a standout feature of the program. Trump emphasized that this will enable firms to recruit top talent in fields like technology and finance, where global competition for skilled labor is fierce. Each visa will cost $5 million, payable to the federal government, with the goal of spurring indirect job growth.

Annually, the U.S. issues about 1 million Green Cards, but the Gold Card targets a niche of high-net-worth individuals and corporate hires. If successful, it could generate billions in revenue within years, reshaping how America attracts expertise while funding public coffers.

Russian Oligarchs Spark Policy Debate

Responding to questions about Russian oligarchs potentially using the Gold Card, Trump quipped that he knows some who are “very good people,” igniting concerns about the program’s oversight. In Europe, roughly 20% of Portugal’s Golden Visas from 2012 to 2018 went to Russian and Chinese nationals, raising similar red flags. The U.S. version promises stricter screening, but its openness to wealthy foreigners keeps security questions alive.

The lack of detailed vetting protocols so far has left room for speculation, with the administration vowing clarity before sales start. At $5 million per visa, the Gold Card could draw a mix of legitimate investors and shadowy figures, challenging the balance between economic gain and national safety.