Trump’s $1 Million Gold Card Visa: Global Rush for U.S. Residency
President Donald Trump’s newly revamped “Gold Card” visa program — now available for $1 million after a significant price cut — has sparked a global rush among wealthy individuals seeking U.S. residency, as reported by CNBC (“Global wealthy are lining up for Trump’s $1 million Gold Card,” CNBC, 2025).
What Is the Gold Card?
According to CNBC, the “Gold Card” is a U.S. immigration route that allows applicants to gain lawful permanent residency in exchange for a non-refundable $1 million contribution. The program was initially proposed with a $5 million price tag, but the recent price reduction has made it one of the most competitively priced “golden visas” globally.
What’s Driving Demand?
Immigration lawyers and wealth advisors interviewed by CNBC emphasise that ultra-wealthy families from Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America are keen to access the U.S. education, healthcare, and financial systems — benefits now available at a historically low price point. For many considering the alternatives, the price is “almost too inexpensive,” given the access it provides to the U.S. and its institutions.
Program Structure and Global Impact
The Gold Card requires a $1 million “gift” to the government, with no investment return; it promises accelerated, record-time approval for green cards. However, it comes with U.S. tax obligations on worldwide income — a notable disadvantage compared to many other countries’ residency-by-investment schemes.
The Platinum Card is designed to partially sidestep the taxation issue in exchange for a higher price. According to the White House, the Platinum Card would enable holders to reside in the U.S. for 270 days a year without incurring taxes on their overseas income.
Legal and Operational Uncertainties
Despite the enthusiasm, CNBC notes that a formal application process does not yet exist, raising operational questions. Immigration experts caution that President Trump implemented the program using executive powers by leveraging existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories and classifying the $1 million as an “unrestricted gift,” a structure which may face future legal or Congressional challenges. The Gold Card allows them to bypass existing queues.
Conclusion
Globally, the Gold Card is drawing massive attention. Still, industry specialists quoted by CNBC note several drawbacks: the non-refundable nature of the fee, potential slow approval times, and the U.S.’s uniquely far-reaching tax regime. Nonetheless, the allure of a faster path to U.S. residency — with over 80,000 Gold Cards slated for release — has ensured robust demand from the world’s wealthy, particularly as global instability fuels interest in backup residencies.
Source: https://lnkd.in/gwXJE94a
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