US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday a plan to offer a premium residency permit—dubbed the “gold card”—priced at around $5 million. According to Trump, the initiative is designed to attract wealthy investors and entrepreneurs who can help drive economic growth while reducing the national deficit.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump explained that this gold card would serve as a high-end alternative to the traditional green card, providing a streamlined path to US citizenship for affluent applicants. “We’re going to be selling a gold card. You have a green card, this is a gold card. We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million,” he stated.
Sales are expected to begin in approximately two weeks, with Trump asserting that the legal framework for the proposal is fully in place. “We’ll be able to sell maybe a million of these cards. We have it all worked out from a legal standpoint,” he added.
While emphasizing the plan’s focus on economic benefits, Trump also noted that Russian oligarchs could potentially qualify. “Possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people. It’s possible. They’re not as wealthy as they used to be. I think they can. I think they can afford $5 million,” he remarked.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, present during the announcement, highlighted that the revenue from the gold cards could help lower the federal deficit. Trump further suggested that the new permit might even carry his name, saying, “Somebody said, ‘Can we call it the Trump gold card?’ I said, ‘If it helps, use the name Trump.’”
This new residency plan comes as part of broader efforts to reform immigration policy, with Trump aiming to balance strict enforcement measures with initiatives to boost economic investment in the country.
