Trump Unveils $5 Million ‘Gold Card’ Visa Program, Open to Wealthy Investors

US President Donald Trump announced plans on Tuesday to introduce a new “gold card” visa program, offering US residency for a price of $5 million per applicant. The initiative, a premium version of the traditional green card, is aimed at attracting wealthy investors and job creators while generating revenue to help reduce the national deficit.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump emphasized that the program would provide a pathway to US citizenship for high-net-worth individuals. He described the new visa as an opportunity for affluent foreigners to live and invest in the United States, saying, “A lot of people are going to want to be in this country, and they’ll be able to work, provide jobs, and build companies. It’ll be people with money.”

Trump revealed that sales of the gold cards would begin within two weeks and estimated that up to a million could be issued. He assured that all applicants would undergo thorough vetting but did not rule out the possibility of Russian oligarchs qualifying for the program. When asked specifically about their eligibility, he responded, “Possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs who are very nice people. They’re not as wealthy as they used to be, but I think they can afford $5 million.”

The announcement comes as several Russian billionaires remain under Western sanctions following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump’s recent efforts to negotiate directly with Russia over the ongoing war have sparked concerns in Europe, with fears that he may make concessions unfavorable to Ukraine. He told reporters that while lifting sanctions on Russia was not currently under consideration, it could be an option “at some point.”

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, standing alongside Trump, supported the plan, stating that revenue from the gold card sales could help address the national deficit. Trump, known for branding real estate and business ventures with his name, even suggested that the program could carry his personal branding. “Somebody said, ‘Can we call it the Trump gold card?’ I said, ‘If it helps, use the name Trump,’” he quipped.