WASHINGTON (THE THURSDAY TIMES) — President Donald Trump has introduced a new immigration pathway known as the Trump Gold Card, a paid fast track to United States residency that the administration says will generate substantial government revenue while offering foreign investors a quicker alternative to the traditional Green Card.
U.S. President Donald Trump launches the Trump Gold Card:
This is very exciting for me and for the country. We have just introduced the Trump Gold Card, with all funds going directly to the United States Government. It could generate a tremendous amount of revenue. It is similar… pic.twitter.com/c7krUUvIHW— The Thursday Times (@thursday_times) December 10, 2025
Speaking at the White House, Trump described the launch as “very exciting for me and for the country,” insisting that the programme would direct all funds to the United States Government at a time when economic pressures remain high. The card, which he said could raise “a tremendous amount of money,” is billed as a premium immigration tier similar in concept to the Green Card but marketed as carrying “major advantages.”
The Gold Card is designed to target high-net-worth applicants willing to contribute significant sums in exchange for expedited visa processing and potential access to benefits normally reserved for long-term residents. Officials argue that the initiative will draw investment into federal accounts and attract global business talent. Critics, however, see it as the formalisation of a two-tiered immigration system where wealth replaces merit or humanitarian need as the primary qualifying factor.
The administration has not released full details on eligibility, processing timelines or the precise benefits that distinguish the Gold Card from the Green Card. Immigration experts say the plan could face legal and political challenges, particularly if it disrupts existing visa queues or raises concerns about fairness and transparency.
Trump nevertheless framed the new scheme as a patriotic financial instrument intended to strengthen national revenue while making the United States more competitive in the global race for elite talent. Whether the Gold Card becomes a core part of America’s immigration landscape or remains a polarising experiment will depend on how Congress, courts and prospective applicants respond in the months ahead.
