If you want to become an American citizen and have $5 million burning a hole in your pocket then US president Donald Trump has good news for you.
Speaking at the White House, Trump announced plans for a new residency-by-investment program, also known as a golden visa.
In many countries, including those in the US, golden visa schemes typically ask an individual to invest in property or a business in return for path to residency.
This newly proposed scheme is different.
The Gold Card, aimed at attracting wealthy individuals from around the world, offers citizenship to anyone willing to pay $5 million directly to the US government.
The new scheme is expected to replace the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which already offered an expedited path to US residency, though it was through significant investment in a US business.
There are already ways to gain residency by investment. This is just simpler
What is the gold card?
Described by Trump as offering “green card privileges plus,” the Gold Card is a proposed visa that would grant high-net-worth individuals the ability to live, work and invest in the US.
As US President Donald Trump explained, the program is designed as a “route to citizenship” for those who qualify. However, unlike other visa programs, applicants will need to make a substantial financial commitment: $5 million paid directly to the US government.
“They’ll have to go through vetting, of course”
Trump emphasized the economic benefits of the scheme: “Wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card. They’ll be wealthy and they’ll be successful, and they’ll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people.”
While the EB-5 program required an investment of at least $800,000 in a job-creating enterprise, the Gold Card takes a more direct approach. Instead of linking residency to job creation, it mandates a straightforward payment to the US Treasury. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that applicants would still be subject to background checks: “They’ll have to go through vetting, of course.”
Who will qualify?
The high price point suggests that the Gold Card will be targeted at ultra-high-net-worth individuals. When asked if a Russian oligarch could buy their way into US citizenship, Trump said: “Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people.”
If you don’t have $5 million, there are other routes to citizenship
How Does It Compare to Other Visa Options?
For those seeking US residency at a lower cost, several alternatives exist:
E-2 visa
Allows investors from treaty countries to obtain a visa by making a “substantial” investment—typically $100,000–$200,000, though there is no defined minimum — in a US business. Unlike the Gold Card, the E-2 visa does not offer a direct route to a green card and the lack of definition over what counts as substantial puts off some applicants.
EB-5 visa
The program the Gold Card is set to replace. Requires a minimum investment of $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1.05 million elsewhere, leading to a green card if it creates ten new jobs for American workers.
L-1 visa
Available to people visiting the US for work. Depending on country of origin, the L-1 visa covers a stay from three months up to five years.
O-1 visa
Designed for individuals with “extraordinary ability” in fields such as arts, sciences, and business. No direct investment is required, but applicants must demonstrate significant professional achievement. Even then, the visa is granted for three years—though there is no limit on its yearly extensions.
There’s no telling how quickly this scheme will pass into law
What happens next?
While details on implementation remain unclear, the proposal indicates a shift in US immigration policy toward a more transactional model. The program’s success will likely depend on its reception among global investors and whether it can withstand legal and political scrutiny.
For now, potential applicants should monitor developments closely and consider alternative residency options while waiting for further clarity on the Gold Card’s final structure.
