Trump Unveils $1 Million Gold Card Citizenship Path

The United States government has launched a new investor-linked residency scheme, branded the Gold Card, offering wealthy individuals and corporations a fast-tracked route to permanent residency and eventual citizenship. The programme was announced in Washington, reflecting a major shift in immigration policy towards attracting high-value talent and capital.

Launch Of The Gold Card Programme

The initiative replaces the long-standing EB-5 visa model. It fixes the entry price at $1 million for individual applicants and $2 million for corporations sponsoring foreign-born employees. An online portal has opened for submissions. All collected funds will be directed to the US Treasury, with officials projecting significant revenue inflows.

Policy Rationale And Government Position

The administration frames the scheme as a strategic tool to draw top global talent and to retain high-performing graduates from American universities. Officials highlight previous recruitment challenges where companies struggled to secure visas for foreign students educated in the US. The new card provides permanent residency rights along with a clear path to citizenship.

Comparison With The EB-5 Visa System

The updated framework removes job-creation requirements and programme caps that previously shaped the EB-5 route. Corporate applicants may secure multiple cards, though each card covers only one individual. A vetting fee of $15,000 will support extensive background checks. Authorities emphasise that the revamped structure aims to boost the overall skill level and economic contribution of incoming residents.

Exam Oriented Facts

• The Gold Card sets a fixed $1 million entry point for individual residency applicants.
• It replaces the EB-5 system, which required investment linked to job creation.
• Applicant vetting includes a mandatory $15,000 screening fee.
• Several countries, including the UK and Canada, run comparable investor visa schemes.

Global Context And Market Impact

Investor-residency schemes are a common feature of immigration policy worldwide, and the US now positions itself competitively within this landscape. The programme is expected to influence corporate recruitment strategies, particularly in sectors reliant on international graduates. Officials suggest the initiative could channel billions into federal accounts while reshaping the US approach to high-skilled immigration.