WASHINGTON, D.C.: In a striking announcement made mid-air aboard Air Force One, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a new “Gold Card” on Thursday, a $5 million residency permit aimed at wealthy foreign nationals seeking American citizenship.
The newly introduced card — featuring Trump’s own image taken at the Atlanta courthouse, a symbol that became central to his re-election campaign — is positioned as a replacement for the longstanding EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program.
“We are going to be selling a gold card,” Trump declared to reporters during the airborne press briefing. “It’s going to provide green card privileges and serve as a pathway to American citizenship,” he said.
According to reports from Firstpost, the card will grant the holder residency rights akin to those offered under the EB-5 scheme, but at a significantly higher price point. The traditional EB-5 program currently requires a minimum investment of $800,000 to $1.05 million in U.S.-based job-creating ventures. Trump’s Gold Card would multiply that requirement nearly fivefold.
A New Era of Pay-to-Enter Immigration?
The announcement sparked immediate debate among immigration experts and political analysts, many of whom described the move as both symbolic and strategic — combining Trump’s populist image with his long-held emphasis on wealth-based immigration reform.
“The $5 million price tag positions the Gold Card as one of the most expensive residency permits in the world,” said an immigration policy expert at the Brookings Institution. “It’s clear the administration is targeting ultra-high-net-worth individuals who view U.S. residency as a premium asset.”
The program’s launch comes amid broader immigration policy shifts and heightened global economic uncertainty triggered by Trump’s newly enacted tariff policies. Critics argue that the scheme sends a message that U.S. citizenship is now up for sale to the global elite.
A Visual Symbol of Trump’s Campaign
The card’s design, emblazoned with a courthouse mugshot-like image of Trump, has already sparked viral commentary on social media. Supporters say it represents strength and defiance, while detractors see it as self-promotional branding.
“The image is from the Atlanta courthouse. It’s a powerful symbol of our fight to bring America back,” said one senior campaign aide.
With immigration, tariffs, and the economy dominating the political narrative ahead of the 2025 elections, the Gold Card’s unveiling adds another layer to Trump’s unconventional and headline-grabbing policymaking style.
