President Donald Trump on December 2025 announced the Trump Gold Card, a new US visa program that will allow wealthy foreign investors and corporate sponsors to obtain residency quickly for a price of $1 million for individuals and $2 million for corporate sponsorships. An official government page describes the card as giving a ‘direct path to Citizenship’ for vetted applicants, with a $15,000 processing fee and mandatory background checks. The plan also envisions a forthcoming $5 million ‘Platinum Card’ offering additional benefits, with media reporting that it could include tax-related or residency advantages depending on the variant.
Cost and structure: The entry price for individuals is $1 million, while businesses sponsoring employees would pay $2 million. In addition to these fees, applicants must cover a non-refundable $15,000 processing charge. The program also specifies ongoing maintenance and transfer costs, including a 1% annual maintenance fee (roughly $20,000 per year) and a 5% transfer fee ($100,000) each time a visa transfer is needed within a sponsoring arrangement. Government fees may apply beyond these figures. The official materials stress a straightforward track to residency and, for some versions, a potential path to citizenship. (BBC News, Guardian, The Hill)
Platinum variant and stay/tax questions: The advertised Platinum Card, priced at $5 million, is described as offering additional benefits such as extended stays and tax considerations for non-US income, with reports indicating up to 270 days in the US under certain terms. As with any investment-based visa, details depend on version and ongoing policy interpretation. (Guardian; BBC News)
Context and reaction: The rollout comes as the administration has pursued a broader immigration crackdown, including stronger enforcement actions and changes to visa processing. Critics argue that privileging the wealthy runs counter to long-standing refugee and asylum norms and may undermine equity in immigration. Supporters say the program could attract talent, spur investment, and generate revenue for public programs. Coverage across outlets highlights both the logistical details and the political controversy surrounding the plan. (BBC News; Guardian; The Hill)
Official framing and what to read next: Trump has framed the Gold Card as a means to keep productive talent and create jobs, while DHS officials have emphasized vetting and expedited processing. For more context, see BBC News, The Guardian, and The Hill’s reporting on the plan.
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